In today’s article, we’re going to review one of the most affordable tube amps available on the market right now – Bugera V22 Infinium Combo. I’m a huge fan of gear made by this brand so I’m really excited about today’s post!
The V22 Infinium is a really powerful multichannel guitar amplifier which offers a characteristic warm tone and a wide range of tonal possibilities. It will most definitely be a great choice for lovers of vintage sounds and vintage aesthetics.
Let’s dive deeper with research and find out what makes this amp so special. Since I’ve been using it on several occasions, I feel like I’m in a good spot to share my thoughts with you. Of course, there will be a sound demo included too!
Specs & Pricing
The V22 combo is equipped with two EL84 tubes and it features the revolutionary Infinium Tube Life Multiplier technology. The preamp has two channels and it features three 12AX7 tubes. What’s important, it’s quite powerful – it’s a 22-Watt amp with a reliable and high-quality 12″ TurboSound speaker.
The retro design makes it one of the best looking tube amps available on the market right now. Undoubtedly, there is something really cool about its old-school look and feel. All lovers of vintage gear will definitely appreciate that!
When it comes to pricing, it falls somewhere in the mid-range. This is not a budget amp, but at the same time, it’s not as expensive as some of the most popular tube amps manufactured by more reputable brands like Fender. So the V22 is within reach of any guitarist.
Here’s a really cool sound demo of that guitar combo. Feel free to check it out – you’ll see how it sounds and it should give you a brief understanding of all the controls and tones that it offers.
Things I Love About Bugera V22
As I mentioned earlier, I had the pleasure to use that amp on many occasions. My favorite rehearsal space is equipped with tat amp so I spent dozens of hours playing on that thing either solo or with my band.
I love everything about that combo – the look, the sound and the feel. It has a really nice built-in reverb, which is a massive advantage for me. In addition, there are two channels so you can quickly switch between clean and more overdriven tones.
In addition, it works very well with guitar pedals. So if you want to play with more overdrive, distortion, chorus or flanger – trust me, it will sound really good. It offers a classic tube amp guitar tone, which is filled with warmth, balance and crunch at times.
And I love the fact that it can get really loud. It’s totally fine to play smaller gigs with that thing and without using the mic. It can easily get over a drummer, so it’s a massive advantage for all gigging guitarists.
Lastly, I love the price of that thing! Considering how good it looks and sounds, I’d say that it’s actually a bargain.
Hold on… Where’s the catch?
Unfortunately, there are a few minor disadvantages of Bugera V22 that you should be aware of. I don’t think that they’re big enough to discourage you from getting it, but it’s a few things that are worth taking into consideration prior to purchase.
Firstly, it’s pretty heavy, so it’s not easy to carry around. It can be a problem for touring musicians or players who don’t like lifting things. On the other hand, that’s just the way it is – powerful amps are not lightweight!
Another thing is the lack of a headphone jack. It’s not a massive disadvantage, but it may be a problem for guitarists who’d like to practice quietly at night without waking up the neighbors.
Lastly, some people think that the stock tubes used in the V22 aren’t the best. In my opinion, they’re not too bad, but if you’re looking for even better sound, it may be a good idea to replace them at some point. Still, there’s a massive chance that you’ll be satisfied with the stock ones anyway!
Who will benefit from getting this combo?
Bugera V22 Infinium will be an excellent choice for both amateur and more intermediate guitarists who are looking for a solid tube amp that won’t break the budget.
The amp is really versatile, so it can be used in a wide range of genres. Whether you want to play clean jazz sounds or more crunchy grunge riffs, the V22 model will definitely help you find the tone that you’re looking for.
In addition, it can be used on many occasions – it could be home practice, rehearsals, live gigs or even live recordings. Considering the relatively low price and versatility of that things, it seems like an excellent choice for a lot of guitar players out there.
Cheaper Alternatives
Although the the V22 is not as expensive as some of the tube amps offered by Fender or VOX, it’s still not the cheapest guitar amp in the world. So if you’re looking for cheaper alternatives, don’t worry – there’s a few really good option.
Bugera V5
Firstly, you can stick to the same brand and pick their smallest tube amp – Bugera V5. Of course, it’s not as loud and versatile as the V22, but it still offers that classic warm tone which sounds awesome with a bit of overdrive. The V5 model is definitely much more affordable and due to its compact size, it serves well as a practice amp.
Bugera BC15
Another really good and affordable amp suitable for home use. It’s pretty loud, so with the right equipment you can actually use it for playing gigs as well. Still, it’s not a real tube amp – it’s a hybrid tube amp.
I personally own that model and I frequently use it for practice. It sounds good, looks good and it’s not too expensive – who needs anything else? If you’d like to read more about this model, feel free to check out my detailed review.
Blackstar HT-1R
Another really good and affordable option for anyone who’s looking for a good and reliable tube amp. The Blackstar HT-1R is simple to use and although it’s not as powerful as the Bugera V22, it still offers an excellent quality.
It is also worth mentioning that this amp works very well with guitar pedals. It’s a bit cheaper option than the V22, so if you’re okay with playing on something smaller, the Blackstar should be a great choice.
FAQ
Where is the V22 Infinium made?
It is manufactured in China. Alhough it’s made in Asia, it still features an excellent sound quality, so if you’re worried about its country of origin – there’s nothing to worry about.
What is the the V22 modeled after?
The V22 is modeled after one of the Matchless amps, which was based on the legendary VOX AC15.
Is Bugera good brand?
Absolutely! Bugera is a great and reputable brand that manufactures a lot of amazing guitar amps. Although they are not as popular as some of the biggest players in the guitar game (like Fender, VOX or Orange), their gear is still an extremely good choice for all-level players.
Summary
As you can see, Bugera V22 Infinium is a really cool guitar combo. The versatility and price make it one of the best and most affordable tube amps available on the market right now. Whether you want to use at home or at rehearsals and gigs, it will most definitely be a good choice for you. I highly recommend checking it out!
What do you think about Bugera amps? Do you think that they’re worth it? Let me know in the comments below, I’m really curious!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, I hope that it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
