Dr. Z Z-Plus Vs Bugera V22 Infinium (Cheap amp vs expensive amp) 

Best part of this video is how well you articulate your picking volume. Well done sir.

people tend to say that the v22 is a great amp in that price range, i think its a great amp in any price range

Great comparison using a Dr Z. It really shows what the Bugera is capable of. Nice playing as well.

I genuinely like these Bugeras more than most other amps I've owned that were sub £1000. I prefer it over the Fender blues Jr, The std Vox AC15, Marshall Origin, Marshall DSL among others. It just has such a great clean tone which is perfect for pedals. I don't use the drive channel. I did need to retube them as the stock tubes are cheap and I put a Celestion Greenback in one and a Vintage 30 in the other but they both sound terrific. It's almost like I'm trying to find reasons why I shouldn't like them but I genuinely do.

Thanks for the walk-through comparison. Both amps sound great to me. Whilst you were playing crunch over the clean loop, I kept wishing you'd hit a few double-stops to see how those would pop.

I'm 65 and have played guitar since the age of 11 and electric since I was 15. Many, many, amps later, I have 3 combos, all 30 watts or under. I have a Line 6 DT25, a Bugera v22 (pre-infinium), and an Ibanez TSA30 combo. They are all fantastic amps. The Line 6 has the incredible ability to store 8 different amp models that are available through hardware switching - NOT software voodoo of some sort - and when paired with a POD HD500 or a Helix can give one nearly any sound their heart desires. Without those effects, one still has immediate access to 2 of the 8 amps at a time via a footswitch. But my favorite setup at this point in time is the Bugera and the Ibanez stacked and selectable using an a/b/combo switch. I can use one or the other or both at the same time. With the Bugera, you have EL84s, affording a rather compressed and midrangy Vox style tone that has a beautiful warmth to it. With the Ibanez and it's 6L6s, you have Fenderish clean and headroom all day, and the added perk of the tube screamer circuit. With both of them going on a given tune, the sound is pure heaven. I've had the Bugera for at least 15 years and just had it retubed again with stellar results. Speaker is stock and was never replaced. The Ibanez is still so new that I've done absolutely nothing to it so far. Those two amps can be had new for under a grand. Unbelievable. Especially for a guy like me who will not pay anything more than I have to for exactly what I need and want. If I paid 2 grand for that Dr. Z, I still wouldn't have what I do with these two amps together. The only other combos I feel like I'm really missing at this point is an Egnater Rebel-30 Mark II and/or a VHT Special 6 Ultra 6W. But I'll get around to those too for sure. With the two amp setup I mentioned before, I've got the night covered with a spare amp if one craps out and three distinct sounds through the a/b/combo footswitch. My only effects pedal is a Zoom MS-50G Multi-FX. It's almost, or maybe flat out is, even better than the Line 6 DT25 which I may replace with the lower watt VHT. One final word though as this video was in fact mostly about the Bugera - an incredibly good amp! (and I'm not even going to say "for the price"... -- Jon Bjork

This is a very nice comparison! I’ve never tried the Bugera, but I own the Z-Plus, and I can say that for me it’s the best small tube amp I’ve owned. However, I’m a huge fan of all kinds of amps, and I enjoy playing my Peavey Bandit Red Stripe with my favourite pedals, for example. Dr Z is pricey, but their stuff is made rock-solid, in addition to sounding very nice and being very responsive to playing dynamics at any volume level. I bought the Z-Plus after playing it every time I visited the local shop over a period of 6 months. Love is love, I guess?

Thanks for the enlightening comparison. I have both the Bugera V22 (non-Infinium) and V55 purchased about 7 years ago with no issues. They are decent amps for the price. Also have a Dr Z Maz 18 w/Reverb, 2x10 ordered in 2011 and it has significant clout. Both good amps.

The Bugera cleans and crunch sounded awesome. When you went back to the Dr Z it sounded thin and less rich after listening to the V22. I'm looking for a V22 now darn it, my wife's going to kill me.

I own a Bugera v22 for almost a year now, and it is a beast, all of my friends love it, especially when I can get a little bit of break up in the clean channel and they can't believe me when I tell them the price, I did compare it with AC30, Twin Reverb and Marshall JCM 800, by far the nicest clean sounds comes from this amp, not too bright as a AC30, no too mid scooped as the Twin Reverb and not too gainy as the Marshall, and for my style (rock, blues) and obviously, not too pricey, big, and hard to move around, I couldn't get anything better for the price, the things that I don't like is the digital Reverb and the stock tubes, change them for a set of JJs and this thing come alive and now I use it with a HOF mini and is a incredible good pedal platform, since fuzz to tons of delay and modulation and I like the stock speaker too, personally I like darker sounding amps with little treble and tons of mids. Nice comparison

I like the "larger" sound of the bugera but thats probly the cabinet. There is a high end clarity and overtone thing from the dr Z that you kinda expect in high end amps

The burgera is a great sounding amp and you cant beat the price but the build quality was not so good when they first came out. I think they fixed that now . What’s amazing about that amp is the technology that allows you to put any tube in and mix and match. It self bais’s itself. Lol you can put an el34 and a 6l6 in at the same time and it will adjust the setting to be able to use it. That’s pretty amazing imo . Cant beat that for the price. It also has a switch that drops down the watts so it can be used as a practice amp.

Just bought the Bugera V22 for $200 w/ pedal. Very pleased

I've owned a V22 since around 2015. Mine is pre-Infinium. I had to retube the entire amp. The Chinese tube were total garbage. But, after a tube job, it is an awesome amp. As it is a $500 amp, I leave my nice amps at home and gig with the Bugera. The OD channel leaves a bit to be desired but it takes pedals really well. And I'm not beating up my $2K amps. The pre-Infinium amps did have some issues with the circuit board. Mine has a crack solder trail currently and is making a light buzzing sound. I have heard of several that totally crapped out and started sounding like an airplane taking off. But they are a great 1st tube amp.

Cab size does make a difference for sure. Speaker also. Thanx, I have looked both of these recently as I am looking for 1x12 combo. I sort of worn out my mid 70's Deluxe Reverb. I'm going to fix it. Needs new tubes, power chord , new speaker and couple new potentiometers because the git busted off moving it. Far small price to pay with the price of them today.

Bugeras really do have an astounding tone, I used to own the 5 watt version and it was amazing, and have played the V22 and the clean side with pedals is very good. But I wonder how they would hold up for a gigging musician. That is were the Dr Zs excels.. They are built like tanks. I have a Dr Z Wreck Jr and it is amazing and is plenty loud at only 15 watts and can keep up with a loud drummer in small rooms. . But for a home player there is nothing wrong with the Bugeras. Excellent comparison, well done.

The Z is clinical-sounding and expensive .. but then again, I love juicy, pushed mids that those EL84s probably excel at. Greg Howe's tone on Wheelhouse is exactly what I like. I wish almost you pitted the Bugera against Govan's V30 Victory amp but yea, for tone AND value, that Bugera wins ..

Im an older dude 64, I've owned original fender black faces new dual showman twin, ampeg V4 Pee get classic 112 and many more. Then I bought a v22 head. I had gotten it on eBay refurbished but to me it was brand new factory packaged. I paid 225.00 for the v22 head. A year later I found the same seller selling V55?heads also 225" best amps for the money I ever bought. Buyers copies circuits from vintage amps. They have their heavy metal amps, these are supposed to mimic either fender black faces like the V55 or a Brit sound with it's el34s in the v22. I've had zero problems . They hold up as good as any amp I've ever had. I've never owned a botique amp. But then i only played professionally in the 70s and 80s. Since then I just lead worship teams or play in my home studio. I would love to try your friend z but I can never justify buying one when I don't make a living with out and right now I'm super happy with my buyers amps. Thinking of getting a 5 watt buyers combo 129.00 at Sweet water also tube.

i had always been told that Bugera amps were trash. They were so wrong. This was eye and ear opening. I'm going to order the amp head today. Thank you for the comparison.

I just bought the Bugera V22. I’m No expert with tube amps, but damn is it nice. I bought it used, one owner and it satisfies my needs until I finish my Gibsonette

Im buying the bugera as i watch this it sounds great

I have heard complaints and about rattling noises in the V-22. The fix is simple, If it happens to you get some lock tight and and and hit every thread you can find. I guess they didn't use any nylock nuts or put any lock tight on the threads.

I had a Bugera Vintage 45 running through a line 6 Spider V With 4 Celestions. Gave it to a budy (The Head) and got a T50 Infinium, and it is a kick ass setup. Blows away most half stacks I have heard. Bought a Marshal Half stack, and returned it. Very harsh sounding, I also Picked up a Vintage V22 infinium, and put an Emerson Cannabis Rex in it, and added an Egnater Tweaker 1x12 extension on it. Great amp to gig, and practice with. Much more portable. When I get a bigger vehicle I'll just take the stack to the practice space, and leave it there, but I'll still take the V22, and extension to gigs. It sounds that good. I get compliments on my sound, When they see it's a Bugera, they are quite surprised. Especially the amp snobs.

EL-84's in the V22.. 6V6's in the Dr. Z.. and its Class A. Theres a switch on the back of the V22.. Pentode/Triode.. switch it to Triode. Bugera hands-down.

Well done man ! Helped me make a decision.

Thanks, both sound good, the Bugera a little more darker. I saw a comparison between the Bugera v22 and the AC15, there the AC15 sounded better. It is a personal preference like you said

The Dr Z sounds really good, although the cabinet seems a bit small. I have a bugera v22 pre infinium and I love it. Only the original tubes were changed: I wouldn't change anything else! I like the stock speaker (I've seen several comparisons putting top of the line speakers on it and I think some sound good but make the amp lose its character) I bought it second hand, the amp must be about 15 years old: never had a problem! Nothing! It's a very versatile amp, reliable and it sounds damn good.

both sound nice clean, The Z has a nicer drive sound

I have to say in my opinion the Bugera V22 is fatter and fuller sounding with more punch than the DrZ. Actually I have the V55 early non infinium it's an exact copy of a Marshall 2204 and at 50 watts it serves me well as a pedal platform and even a gigging amplifier with more headroom. Roll the Bass off and increase the treble more you might just surprise yourself with the results if you like a thinner sounding amplifier.

Thanks for the demo. Wow! The comments can get dowright nasty. I wont post anymore because of that. Most of the negative comments are from people that really dont know what they are talking about.

On my Bugera I changed the driver to an Eminace and was a noticeable upgrade. Connected it to a 2x12 cab I made and crap it sounds good. The bugera distortion is the weak point

great video. I have been considering a v22 due to the value. I liked the clean sound a lot and something I need to add to my tones. My Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 doesn't do clean well.

"There's a brightness around the note that I don't like"... Um... You never switched back from the "BRIGHT" input which in my opinion as a owner of multiple V22's is GARBAGE... It's not a "bright" input at all. It actually filters the lows our rather than adding mids and highs to obtain the "brightness". Your whole tone throughout the test would have sounded even better (and truer) than it did here if you would have left your signal in the full range input and simply clicked the little mid BOOST button to match your Dr.Z. You could have also tweaked the EQ as you did here for a match which would be expected with different cabinets and especially, different speakers. The SPEAKER in the Bugera is another story... It's tight as hell before it's broken in yet, sounds pretty damn decent for the price point. But... Break this thing in and it will slap you in the face!... I've tried three of my favorite vintage 12's in one of my amps while using another V22 A/B switched for a side by side comparison and ended up putting the STOCK speaker back in!... It just seems to be perfectly matched for the little beast. It wouldn't have any part of "Gear snob" attitude or my obsession for upgrading lower end equipment. Play that thing to death or leave a loop playing through it until that speaker gives in... You'll LOVE it. TUBES are a similar scenario... Although the stock Chinese tubes are junk that actually seem to sound pretty damn good initially, a modest set of Ruby-Tubes is a nice treat and a definite improvement for this amp. However... After swapping numerous sets of HIGH dollar vintage Sovtechs, GEs, etc. from what I can only describe as my obsessive collection of NOS 1960's vacuum tubes, the verdict was the same as above... The $50.00 upgrade set brought the amp to the next level, but beyond that, the high end tubes did absolutely NOTHING!... Save your money folks. This amp LOVES blue collar tubes. LONGEVITY is probably not a consistent factor as these aren't exactly "Hand built", but in my personal experience, I can't complain... I keep my vintage amps at home and have been happily abusing the V22 in their place. I have been gigging and practicing exclusively with these little amps for about 4 years with NO issues. Mine are the "pre Infinium" series, and one is even the dreaded BLUE light model that was known for overheating. I never performed the $5.00 fix as it's never went into "Heat induced auto switching" mode for me. I run a very modest pedal-board and NEVER use the factory foot-swtich and I think that's the reason. My gigging conditions and storage conditions have been "Less than optimum" and I admittedly abuse these amps because of the price point. There are times they have been stored in a van outdoors in scorching heat or freezing Wisconsin winters. There was a 5 hour job in 103 degree heat that took out my second guitarist and sent him to the medical tent, but not this amp, We had another outdoor job the following day in nearly the same conditions. I had the clean gain at 5 and the master set at 8 the entire time with NO heat issues...These things have been RAINED ON (short periods of time) more times than I can count. I was lucky enough to score my first NEW V22 from Sweetwater at a one time price of $225.00 USD (Not a typo), and my others in "like new" condition bought second hand for less than $200.00 each. I love bringing an EXACT duplicate of my main amp for a back-up but I've never needed one. Sometimes I'll use the back-up to run stereo, but mostly, it just waits happily in the van, listening to it's brother from afar. The only thing I've done besides the previously described experiments was... A: Remove the tube cage.. It WILL cause problems and will also be a MAJOR headache if you ever need to replace a tube while gigging... (Maybe they changed it on the Infinium) B: I've gone through the cabinet and hand-tightened all of the screws and fasteners, as my irresponsible storage and handling of these amps is, of course, going to cause some cabinet expansion and contraction. I never had any serious rattles (after removing the tube cage) but I've gotten some "quarter turns" on factory set cabinet and speaker mounting screws. This would have probably been the same with ANY cabinet. Back to your review... An excellent review (Thumbs-up), but put a cap over that "Bright" input! ;-)

they both sound great! as you say the dr z is four times the price of the bugera.the bugera would make a superb amp for home use.

Nice shirt, man. SUN was my first label. --E.P.

Nice playing! Very smooth. You seem to feel what you play. And the tone you get out of your v22 is awesome. Which pedals do you use?

The z is nice and I am listening through my iPad pro with 4 speakers but I can't hearc1500 dollars difference

7:00 Bugera loop 8:08 Dr. Z loop

KEEP the Bugera! LOL! Different speakers in both. Bugera/TS speakers tend to be darker sounding! Best served with a better speaker that has a wider range! Nice comp however! \m/

Dr. Z vs Bugera is kinda like comparing a Mercedes to a Dodge. The Dr. Z had a high-res sparkle. The Bugera sounds like there is a wet towel covering it. Don't get me wrong, the Bugera is a great entry level tube amp and there is a need for gear like this. You can find a Bugera V22 for $200 used and that's a great amp for that price. But if I was buying an amp for the long term ownership, buying a Dr. Z.

I was going to scoff at the degree of the Z's superiority, but compare :52 to 3:52. yes the are EQ settings involved, but you can hear a distinct boxiness to the Bugera, while that Z is bell-like and clear. Sick. But nice, fair treatment of the Bugera, which is still pretty damn good for the price-point!

I write on nylon strinvs so i like to get a warm tone for my electrics

The Bugera's cleans are serviceable, but when overdriven it sounds like what it is- a cheap amp. Although I will point out that your leg was in the path of the mic>speaker of the Bugera, and not of the Z. While I'm not sure how much difference that makes, it IS a tone comparison and we're all about splitting hairs, ha. Thanks for the video, nicely done.

Bugera or fender champion 100?

I paid 850 nzd new for the v55 as needed something for shows but im hoping it can sound good at practice volumes

You had the treble set to less then half way and the bass boosted, no wonder the Bugera sounds pretty dark compared to the Z.

This is comparing an Acura to a Honda Civic. Both have a lot of similarities, but the higher end has more. There is a reason for the difference in price. Which ever one someone thinks is better depends on their ears and perception.

4:58 theres like a brightness around the notes that i dont like. well it was plugged into the bright channel after all.

about time you bought some decent gear

Well done.

I have preconceived biases about Behringer, and its not USA built - therefore the Bugera clearly sounds bad. Just kidding. Thats a beautiful sounding amp. Must...Buy....One.....

I can promise you in person and when pushing the z plus, it blows the bugera completely away. You can play a whole Allman brother show with just the z plus and eq bypass with correct tones. I’ve played the bugera and it’s completely impossible to get throaty girthy tones just from the amp.

turn up the presence on the Bugera

Clean is where the V22 does it’s best tones. The distorted and overdriven tones are pants. Though that could be down to how the whole thing has been mic’d up. As thought the same with the DrZ too.

Kinda crazy but goes to show yes the Dr Z is 4 times the price, but doesnt offer 4 times the better sound. If strip both of the amps down to there bare bones I think youll be surprised, left wondering why your paying 4 times the money for amp A over amp B..... the Bugera infinium is an unbelievable buy for the "money"...

i imagine if you spent a couple hundred more quid on a good speaker for the bugera it would sound better then the dr z because ov it's cabinet size

the best Dr Z . It is very best

Hello Aaron, would you mind telling me which distortion pedal you use here? It sounds great! :-)

i got a bugera V22 infinium model my wife got me back in 2015 for my birthday from guitar center in San Deigo not the floor model but ive open the box at my friend band practice and after a week of break in period the amp til this day sound real good and is very pedal friendly never had any problem with the amp i know there are few who had a few problems with there amp but as for me the amp is still running

I haven't played tube amps before, so this might sound like a dumb question, but would the V22 be considered an upgrade from a Boss Katana 50? If so, is the feeling and sound much different from a 'somewhat decent' solid-state?

The Z is a lovely amp and wanna be for the $$$'s. Put vintage Amperex or Mullard pres and good el84's in the Bug and you have a killer boutique amp for near to nix!

Dr Z for me

I can get these Bugera tones from my Fender Blues Jr easy. But neither will sound like a Dr Z. You have to play them in person to truky experience them. Neither can touch that Dr Z. It can do these tones as well, but they cannot do what it can, Trust me

I stopped buying expensive tube amps, I realized it was mostly hype and customer service you pay for and to be honest, I have a great amp tech nearby and would rather him fix it than send it off for repair. 500$ is my limit nowadays. A Fender blues junior and a Peavey Valveking 2 50 watt combo are all I need especially since no one plays loud anymore, everything is mic'd and sent through the P.A.

I've had this amp. Cleans are excellent. Drive channel very poor.

Honestly, if you had 2 identical Dr Z's but one was rebadged with Stagg or Squier - many/most players would swear on a pile of bibles that the non Z was garbage compared to the 'real' Z. It's mostly perception and the skills of the player/demonstrator.

"There's a brightness around the note witch i don't like" maybe try not plugging into the bright input

Bugera wins in my ears

Did you keep Bugera in the end?

Uhhh, Keep the Bugera and sell that overpriced amp and go buy a les Paul 🤘🏻

Well I think the bugera sounds loads better

Buy a mic setup.

Did you use the same dist pedal ?

Bugera sounds far more analogue/tubey.

Tubes on bugera are not good

Total garbage I've owned two of them and they were both nothing but trouble. Never again. There is no such thing as a good amp for a reasonable price

Record with a mic BRUH Audio doesn't sound good

Maybe a G12 Celestion would open up the Bugera v22. Even Dr. Z (phone conversation) himself likes the Bugera. The Bugera uses less expensive electronics as opposed to the Z amp. Lifespan is the Bugera’s Achilles heel. Mine runs pretty warm at 50% volume. And cranks bottom end when pushed up front with a clean boost pedal. Imho 🙏🔑✌️