Bugera 1960 Infinium - Some 80's Hair Metal Riffs

I initially recorded this as part of a video comparing the stock Bugera preamp tubes with an EH in V1 and a couple JJs in V2 and V3. Once I put in this secondary set, though, it was painfully clear the original, stock Bugera tubes sound considerably better. To the best of my knowledge Bugera tubes are rebranded Shuguang tubes (China). Whatever they are, they sound extremely good. So I decided, instead, just to make a short little video showcasing some of my favorite 80's Hair Metal riffs since this amp has that vibe in abundance. I hope you enjoy!
****Signal Chain****
Bugera 1960 Infinium totally stock into a Suhr Reactive Load and into my Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt interface into my Mac running Logic Pro X. Once in Logic the signal is being run through Redwirez MixIR2 plugin and one Celestion G12M impulse response (Royer 121 and Shure SM57 combined). The IR treated signal is bussed to a plate reverb and some stereo delay. No EQ, compression or other tone altering effect is anywhere in the chain.
****Some of the gear used in this video****
Custom built Fender Stratocaster with Duncan JB in the bridge position (only pickup used in this video)
Bugera 1960 Infinium
amzn.to/2Ox0DhJ
Seymour Duncan SH4 JB Bridge Pickup
amzn.to/2JMMZ9w
Suhr Reactive Load
amzn.to/2RGKkAT
My favorite Interface - Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt
amzn.to/2RHFu6p
DISCLAIMER: This video and description may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@MetalOctane]

Ah, the Marshall that Marshall refuses to make! Great playin' man!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@ardenunger2932]

The Bugera is based off of a Marshall 1959 Plexi?

[@Hamfantasy56]

Yes!! look at this comparision test kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIjQYqqIgrqiqdE

[@olivercalland1470]

@@ardenunger2932 It's somewhere between a 1959 and Super Lead from what i've been able to find. It's like a hot rodded 1959 i guess but it has some useful features that the 1959 doesn't have, like a blend without having to jump the inputs, and a cascaded input aswell as a parralel input for increased gain

[@brendenjimenez7713]

Thank you for not talking and just playing the damn thing. 🤘🏻

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Brenden

[@Islandsoundzz]

I’d love to hear more of this amp. Seems very underrated.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I think its biggest obstacle is that people see the Bugera name and assume it can't be all that great. I've been really impressed with it!

[@Islandsoundzz]

Steve Senes I can’t even decide which model I’d like to buy. I would love to hear this amp through a cab though. Please upload more videos whenever you can.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

@@Islandsoundzz - There will definitely be more video, I'm planning an extremely thorough walk through of this and a few other amps. Truth be told I'd planned to already have them done but I was in Aruba on a gig last month and developed a detached retina in my right eye so had to fly back for emergency surgery. The result is was an extremely red eye and looks kinda rough LOL. Once that's healed though I'll be back on track. If you're not subscribed, go ahead and hit the button so you'll know when I finally get more stuff up.

[@topherrrr92]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow I’ve been interested in this amp for a while but what puts me off is the 150 watt power rating lol. That seems excessive 😬 I wish they had a 30 watt version available. How is it volume-wise compared to say a 50 watt Marshall?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

@@topherrrr92 Hi Chris - sorry for the delay, didn't see this unutil now. TBH, the difference in volume between a 50 and 100 watt Marshall (this amp's rated at 150 but basically it's a 100 watt Plexi) is only 3db. Not a whole lot of audible volume difference, but a 100 watt head has a good bit more headroom, meaning if you're cranking and do so low chugging riffing, the 100 watt amp is going to give you more clean low end whereas a 50watt amp will compress a bit more. They still sound great but it's a different thing. That's why, even though my amps stay at home in a small room, I go for a 100 watt if I have the option. From what I can tell, newer amp makers have found a way around this as their 50 watt amps sound really great and don't seem to lack for, or over compress the low end.

[@matthaggard3591]

The high gain sound everyone Strives for. I just got one. Can’t wait to fire it up.

[@auntjenifer7774]

Dude ! Does it sound like this video !?

[@bridge500t]

Great tone and playing!! Bugera doesn't get enough respect for their amps.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you. There are definitely some great tones to be had. Longevity is the question. We shall see....

[@lennyluzitano8920]

Awesome...playing......sharp attack.....your precise touch....

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

That's very kind of you, thank you!

[@vincehanson8903]

Hearing you play Warren de martini and George Lynch riffs have peaked my interest in this amp x10. Great playing.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for your kind words! It really is a great sounding amp!

[@aldoramirez5898]

I love the sound , i just bougth One !

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

You're gonna love it. Word of advice - unless you're gonna run it clean as a platform for pedals look into some kind of load box/attenuator. Otherwise you'll be blowing out the windows and fighting off your pissed off neighbors LMAO. Cause it's a LOUD amp!!!!! Look into the Rivera Rock Crusher or the UA Ox. Or for running directly into your computer interface to a DAW (how I use it) look at the Suhr Reactive Load.

[@Nightingale1887]

Sounds great! It's good to hear an amp with the same kind of riffs I enjoy.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@Nightingale1887]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow finally got around to ordering myself this head. Apparently you can stick two 6V6s in the outer or inner slots to tame the beast. I heard that otherwise it is ungodly loud.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

@@Nightingale1887 - I need to try that cause, yeah, it's REALLY loud!!!!! But with an amp of this type, you know going in that it's really loud LOL. If you try 6V6s please let me know how it works and if it alters the tone at all. I will say that, if you choose to go that route, it might be best to replace all the tubes with those - two EL34s in there will still equal roughly 50 Marshall watts - the difference between a 50 and 100 watt Marshall is roughly 3db. That's it LOL!!! Putting in 2 6v6s with the 2 EL34s will be, roughly, 70-ish watts. That's still balls out loud!

[@Nightingale1887]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow it's underway now. Should ship Saturday so next Tuesday it will be here. I'll report back to you. Supposedly you have to alter the ohms to compensate for pulling the tubes. Normally I never pull tubes. Let's see how loud it really is haha.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

@@Nightingale1887 Hope you got some earplugs ready LOL!!!

[@ValveSpecial]

I love this and I don’t even like heavy metal, at least I didn’t until now! Spectacular tone, faultless & musical playing. 🤘 🤘

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow, that's really kind of you - thank you!

[@AudaciousAce1989]

I keep coming back to this. 80’s hair metal is peak guitar! Whammy bar dives, pinch harmonics, low e string palm muting pedal notes, eyebrow searing solos. The 80’s had it all.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Man, it was a great time for sure

[@russmills5103]

WOW. I am floored by how good that amp sounds. Great playing too!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Russ! Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I just saw your comment. Very kind of you!

[@seanodonnell9826]

Dude such a great selection of riffs to showcase! Great playing man and I really gotta check out one of these amps for myself

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for the kind words. Fun fact - I'm currently using a Kemper for my gigging (volume restrictions, need a ton of tones, etc). My favorite rock tone on the Kemper? A profile I made of this Bugera 1960 Infinium LOL!

[@imarocker66]

I saw you play with Havoc in the early 90's in Portsmouth, NH. I don't remember the name of the club but I remember your playing was phenomenal. I still have the Havoc - Father Jones CD I bought that night. Dug it out of the archives and listened to it today. Good to see you're still rockin some 80's metal!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow - so cool of you to remember! What a good memory you must have LOL!!!!!! I don't get to break out the 80's riffs very often (I make my living playing music and, unfortunately the scene isn't such that I can do that playing that kinds stuff). But for this amp it just felt like the right thing to do LOL!!!! Thanks for your kind words. BTW - the club was Club Excalibur in Portsmouth NH - under a bank.

[@joellemaster998]

awsome,great playing as well!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for listening and for your kind words!

[@NickPerezMusic]

Holy Tone!!! Kick ass playing Steve, especially "Too Late For Love" and "Lay It Down"

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Nick!

[@gwugluud]

I love mine. Who needs Marshall? This 1960 does what a Plexi does for 1/5 the price, although aesthetically it can’t touch a Marshall’s cool look, but the sound and quality of the Bugera makes up for its hideous, strangely tall appearance. It’s like a “special” waterhead amp which requires a special prescription helmet so it won’t hurt itself. As long as I don’t look at mine, I love it.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

It really is a great sounding amp! Thanks for watching!

[@Bluescobra]

Man, I just discovered your channel searching for a Bugera 1960 demo. I watched a few of your videos and somehow, you play all my favourite tunes. Loudness, Dokken, Ratt, EVH, Def Leppard... And more important even, you have fun and kick ass doing so. How come I have never heard of you before? I wonder... Thanks and keep rocking!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hey Blues - thanks for your kind words! I dunno - guess I just haven't gotten myself to the right place at the right time. I play for a living so I'm always out there, just haven't been in the right situation I guess. Thanks again!

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Some great riffs and immaculate tones.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the riffs and tones in the video.

[@Sixxiron]

Sounds great and you are a killer player! Sweet demo

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Brad!

[@left_left_lefty.guitars]

I would never have thought that could play such rock on singles. Beautiful, thanks!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

The bridge poickup is a humbucker - a full size Seymour Duncan JB.

[@left_left_lefty.guitars]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow Thanks for the correction. I didn't see the black part of the humbucker.😁

[@mrchrisbeaver]

The amp sounds great, great playing too

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Chris!

[@slayer2008]

This has to be the best demo of this amp on KZbin. It sounds sooo damn good! No pedal-overdrive at all? Have you tried achieving a similar sound with a real cab yet? :) Thanks in advance!

[@slayer2008]

Oh and sick chops by the way!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! I haven't plugged it into a real cab LOL! I've cranked 100 watt Marshalls before, no WAY I can get away with that here at home LMAO! Hell, no club anymore either where I can get away with that. Sad. No pedals at all were used in this. I've since experimented a bit with an EP Booster for one type of drive and a Tube Screamer for a Yngwie type thing (I also tried a DOD250 like Yngwie used, modded to old school specs but that didn't sound real good) and all that sounds great too. Might run some videos of those tones down the road a bit - I've been a bit slammed and pressed for time lately. But it sounds killer!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@thefutureself6260]

Whyd'ja stop. Killer jamming bruh!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

LMAO

[@musicbysal8878]

Heck Yes! That's what I'm talking about! Those well played warm classic tones. Okay, the Suhr Reactive Load box it is then.... Great video, thank you!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for your kind words

[@kevinvezina6535]

When I bought my 1990 pre infinium it freakin sounded killer ..I tried other tubes but could not get that tight sound that the shuguang 5881 long tubes put out so I kept putting the old ones back in....I agree with you reguardless of what other people say about them...I think shuguang make killer sounding tubes..thats just my oppinion..great playing dude...I recognized every tune..perfect def leopard tone.. And perfect halen tone=eddie used a 69 plexi..go figure..

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for your kind words Kevin! It really is an amazing sounding amp. I was messing around with it just yesterday, playing a 1992 Mexi Strat with a Duncan '59 in the bridge and, man, I swear it sounded just like the VH1 tone. That pickup seems to have a bit hotter output than the JBs in my other Strats and the tonal balance is really close to that EVH tone, at least with this amp.

[@paullaughton3440]

Sounds fantastic! Great touch and feeling.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

That's really kind of you, thank you!

[@dinofond]

For about the last year I have been listing to KZbin demos of the 1960. I really couldn’t hear the amp or someone endlessly talked about features when really I just want to hear the thing with a decent signal chain. Oh yeah I am buying one of these. Bonus having Steve from HAVOC demo the amp, nice playing brother.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow! You remember Havoc? That's awesome! Thanks for the holler! I'm really impressed with this amp. For the price it's a super no brainer. I recently talked to a guy who has the Bugera and an actual Marshall 100 watt plexi from the early 70s - he prefers the Bugera. That's saying something! Lemme know how you like it!

[@dinofond]

Hey Steve I just pulled the trigger and ordered one, I’m really excited 🤘 I remember you from HAVOC but I also remember you from winning the Guitar Player Superstar 2009 competition. Every time I go back and watch that video of you just killIng it that night I walk away with the same thought. “Now that’s how you build a really great guitar solo!” And you Mr. humble don’t even have a copy here, I hope you don’t mind me linking the video; For folks to enjoy: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3SxhYGDjKeBfJI Your right hand technique is so good! I might have a question or 2 on power soak later on if you’re not to busy.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it! I hope you really dig the amp! I'm more than happy to help in any way I can! I apologize for the brief response but I'm headed out of the Country for a corporate gig so I gotsta get packed LOL!!!!!!!

[@dinofond]

​@@TheGuitarNerdShow The Head came today! I expected a lot of head room but not nuclear unlimited sith Lord power head room. I suspected I would need attenuator but I've never owned one or had the need to own one. If you have any tips I would be grateful. Thanks for the great demo Steve!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

@@dinofond- Dude, this amp could seriously sterilize a Sith Lord at 100 yards! I still haven't mustered up the guts to run this amp into a 4x12 LOL! For me it's been all Reactive Load and impulse responses. Course, I knew going in that this is how I'd be running it. As for tips, really only a couple. First, with regard to an attenuator, if it has a load box feature only go with a Reactive Load, not Resistive - there's a world of difference. A good attenuator is pricey but well worth it. I'm looking at the new Boss Tube Amp Expander - kind of a swiss army knife. Load Box, IR host, bunch of stuff. But it's expensive. Second tip, look at the settings in my video and start from there, see how it sounds. Good luck, enjoy the amp!

[@rockermetalhead1200]

Super sickass demo bro! Too Late for Love from Def Leppard, what a way to set the mood!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you. I love those riffs!

[@rockermetalhead1200]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow You're welcome! Whats the name of the last song you played right before the solo? Was it Loudness?

[@jondavis3582]

i just got one it,ll be hear in a cpl days...i got it bc of this video

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Really? That's really cool - thank you for letting me know - I hope you dig it a lot!!!!

[@giorgosk2884]

Marshall tone to the bone if you close eyes holy moly..

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for watching! The Marshall tone is truly something special, isn't it?

[@csh9853]

Thanks so much for the demo it's exactly what I was looking for. 1960 it is.really nice playing.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Right on, hope you'll dig it. Thanks for your kind words!

[@billiepulera1008]

New toyz for my buddy to make the noize!! Awesome bro!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I'm lovin' it LMAO!!!!

[@chadvitale1567]

Great Tone and KILLER playing my man.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you Chad!

[@kraid80]

Thumbs up for the DL start!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@mitchellferre1652]

I tried a modified 1960. It had JJs and a Mercury Magnetics transformer. WOW ! It was incredible and very very loud.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow I'd love to hear that. I have Mercury transformers in a modified DSL100 and in a 1986 Laney AOR100 - there will be new videos on both of these amps (and some others) in the near future so stay tuned! Thanks for commenting.

[@TuckOfIron]

Just picked up one of these because of your killer riffing, dude.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow, really? That's great to hear! Make sure you let Bugera know, maybe they'll kick me a few $$$! Yeah I know, fat chance LOL!!!!

[@Tgaddy314]

This has reassured myself that I made the right decision ordering this amp. Well done

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! Glad you like it!

[@capybaraman1359]

The tone is perfect good Job man

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@FirestormAudio]

You've just sold me on this amp. I've been interested in a plexi style amp that can pull off EVH/Lynch/DeMartini tones and I've got major GAS.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thast's great! You're gonna love it! Just be prepared, this is one loud beast. The Master Volume helps but won't bring it down to bedroom level LOL!

[@FirestormAudio]

Steve Senes Haha The volume wont be an issue. I’m planning on running it through my load box with IRs in my DAW. I just have my loadbox can handle all of that power without burning up.

[@maxmustardman298]

@@FirestormAudio the suhr should do the job

[@oneandoneeleven]

That DL song is badass.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I think so too - seems to have kinda fallen by the wayside though - probably my favorite of their songs...

[@christophergregory1205]

Dude, great tone, great playing Saw your review for this amp on Sweetwater, I believe it was and followed the link. Definetely getting this amp now!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you for your kind words! I really cannot say enough great things about this amp, especially at the price. Hell, at double the price it'd be a steal (hope Bugera doesn't see that LOL).

[@xaris4252]

fucking awesome..This demo finally gives straight what the 1960 can do..Awesome playing Steve

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you for your kind words. It's kinda hard to put into words how amazed I am at this amp!

[@xaris4252]

Steve Senes im on 80s and this demo helped me a lot..I m going to get one

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

That's great! If you ever contact Bugera make sure you let 'em know my video helped your decision LOL!!!!

[@xaris4252]

the master volume at what point you had it ? it seems pretty loud at my regular speakers

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

The master volume is disengaged, I'm not using it. Keep in mind, I am not running the amp into a speaker cabinet - I'm running from the speaker output of the amplifier into my Suhr Reactive Load - this allows me to tun my amp directly into my computer audio interface so that I can record the amp, including the sound of the cranked power tubes, directly without having to have a really loud speaker cabinet going. Once into my computer, in my recording software I have the amp's signal through an IR loaded and then through a speaker impulse - a way of (very effectively) simulating the sound of various speakers, cabinets, microphones and combinations thereof. In this video I'm using an impulse response I bought from Celestion, the speaker company, it's a G12M greenback with both a Royer 121 and a Shure SM57 on it. I live in a residential neighborhood so cranking a 100 watt Marshall type amp isn't a possibility (I think the old people in the neighborhood would fall over dead LOL) so this gives me the option to get the sound of my amps. It works quite well!

[@martymcfly002]

I have the pre-infinium version of this amp and with an attenuator it is absolutely the greatest tone ever! Better than my JCM 800

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

That's awesome to hear! It's always great when you find an amp that gives you the perfect tone.

[@mattsguitarstuff7564]

Just like your other 1960 video: KICK ASS tone!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Once again, thank you!!!!

[@rjh1469ii]

Sounds great! Thanks for the sweet demo!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! The more I play this amp the more I realize how great it is!

[@rjh1469ii]

Steve Senes i was thinking of picking one up. Basically to get that tone you have in the vid, it has to be full bore?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Yeah, no master volume on these so to get that drive happening the amp has to be cooking.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Let me rephrase that - it DOES have a Post Phase Inverter Master Volume but it doesn't bring the volume down real low - any way you run it it's a loud amp because of how these are run.

[@rjh1469ii]

I am loving the amp! It is loud! I run in into a speaker sim and attenuator. Love the tone from this thing!

[@corykassabian8839]

Hell yea man you make that amp sound great

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Cory!

[@seinthomas]

Seriously Epic !! WOW !

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@duncancartledge1667]

Awesome playing.... sounds great 😄

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@fernandocobos489]

Awesome!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Fernando!

[@michaelmakowski4031]

Incredible!!! nice amp, great playing

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Very kind of you - thanks for your kind words!

[@SportThompson]

Sounds really great, Steve!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@nylonsteel]

Nails that sound imo the best tones of that era.Once the 'trip rec 'sound came it was mush city

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

it's a shame too, I have a Dual Rec and those amps really are capable of sounding great. Until I bought the Dual Rec last Summer I had no idea they were so versatile!

[@austinsmith6472]

sounds awesome, amazing, ya id get one of these nice.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@modernhoghunter9537]

damn dude, that was great

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you, really cool of you to comment!

[@abc123gpl]

Wow ! i like your playing. nice amp too.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank You!

[@phmassi]

Awesome! You rock, bro.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks for your kind comment! I apologize for the delay in my reply, I just now saw your comment. Again, thank!

[@drew5400]

These just shot up in price at some retailers, by about $150..glad i picked one up for $399. Killer amp

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Really? I'm still seeing them for $399 at Sweetwater and Musicians Friend. Where are you seeing them for more? I'm planning a new, more thorough demo video for this amp (and all my stuff) in the near future as part of a complete overhaul to this channel so if you can let me know where the prices for this amp has gone up I'll make sure to call that out in the video. Thank for the heads up!

[@drew5400]

Zzounds went up $150

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow - I wonder if this is going to be a trend with other sellers....hope not - at $400 it's a no brainer - at $549 it's a tougher sell...

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Wow, they sure did. I wonder if this is gonna spread to other sellers - I hope not. At $400 this amp is a no brainer - at $549 it might be a little tougher sell...

[@drew5400]

I see Sam Ash went up in the past week as well.

[@randybryk5264]

Awesome playing!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Randy!

[@user-ro3gt4ng8m]

It's the best 1960 video ever. Did you use drive pedal? In the same setting, my 1960 doesn't produce that much drive.Can you tell me which drive pedal you used?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

No drive pedal on this one, just running the guitar straight into the amp. Thanks for your kind words!

[@nickm.9474]

Sounds sick!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

It's pretty ridiculous, especially when you consider this is a $400 amp, no pedals.

[@billiepulera1008]

Just keep playing all VH, Mean streets!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

LMAO! Bro, this amp inspires VH riffs all day long!

[@aldoramirez5898]

Great video ,sounds perfect 😍

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks! Very kind of you!

[@methenyjazz]

Real Nice playing good demo!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@frankiemae1302]

Sounds kick ass!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you Frankie. Check out some of the new videos I've been putting up on the channel. Enjoy!

[@mcfek7575]

JB is great for hair metal

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I've had so much good luck with the JB, for a LOT of different stuff. It also sounds great coil split and combined with the middle pickup., Knopfler for days!!!

[@gustavomantovani8309]

Nice playing bro!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Gustavo!

[@rk28984]

sounds damn good!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! Sorry for the delay in my reply, I just now saw your comment. Again, thank you!

[@dallasbiggz7007]

At about 1:55 he enters the ZONE w "Unchained" and then just starts floating above the ground when he hits "Lay it Down"! 🤘🎸😁

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

LOL - thank you! Check out my recent walkthrough of my studio guitar rig - I think you'll dig it a lot! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2i3o4WfndSCnNk

[@TMoody]

That's some fire!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you Brother T!

[@hichembell9972]

waw amazing sound

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@hichembell9972]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow would you recommend this amp? is it reliable?

[@Jesterfizz]

Sold

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Amazing sounding amp!

[@alexandert696]

Awesome playing, great sounds . The sound of.... Eviction ?!?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hahahahahaha!!!!! If I were running into a speaker cabinet then yeah - most definitely. Running into my Suhr Reactive Load and then into speaker IRs in my DAW allows me to crank the amp and be as quiet or even silent if I need to. It's a great solution!!!! Thanks for your kind words!

[@fatherno5721]

Fucking awesome tone Steve!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

That's really kind of you, thank you!

[@fatherno5721]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow anytime brother. your amp is really a gift from bugera to us poor working class fucks as are all the amps they offer. 1960's Marsshall for $650 new vs. god only knows what ebay wants. ohh just checked you can get a 1959 reissue plexi from musicians friend for $5699. uhhh think i will be buying the bugera at 1/9th the cost =]

[@ran-diy-audio]

Nice man! I got a video testing the Fulltone OCD and a vintage Boss Ge7 on this amp! keep on rockin' thumbs up and suscribe!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Right on.

[@MitsuMetal]

2:15 Holy hell what song is that? The tone and riff are such great fits.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! The song is Lay it Down from Ratt.

[@sleggarri]

Tone monster

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you!

[@Chugg.Norris]

This aint bad

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

That tone is absolutely ridiculous

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you. It's all guitar/amp!

[@marshallman7550]

Hey man, great playing and tone as always, may I say you're a humble pro? I recently cut my hair also, the worst part is the constant....why'd you cut your hair...lol I researched the 1960 I in depth a couple years ago, and just couldn't believe all the horror stories, so I walked away. Hope your new one holds up for many years, and I'd love to hear it through that HM75 cabinet of yours.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

It didn't hold up, LOL, I blew something up in it a couple months after buying it. Bugera replaced it with a new one though and thus far it's going strong! I'd love to hear it through that cab too (HM75s and Veteran 30s in an x pattern) but I just don't have a place where I can crank the amp through speakers LOL. Thanks for your kind words!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

BTW - Bugera sent me a replacement 1960. I haven't used it a whole lot but have run it for several multi hour sessions into a Suhr Reactive Load and it's seeming to hold up.

[@guitarweekdays]

Cool🤘

[@Hamfantasy56]

Thank you for the beautiful demo :great amp, great riffs (and great fingers :-)...if I understood right you are not using a real cab, so (please correct me if I'm wrong) you recorded directly from your Suhr's line-out ..but what (software?) cab simulator did you use?? Thanks!!! regards, Pietro from Italy

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hi, thanks for your kind words! From the Line Out of the Suhr Reactive Load the signal goes into my computer and into my DAW. Inside the DAW I run an impulse response host plugin. The speaker simulation is done using impulse responses. They're incredibly realistic sounding! There are many impulse responses available - Ownhammer has a bunch of them available, as does another company called Redwirez (these are the first ones I ever used). Celestion has also gotten into the game fairly recently with Impulse Responses (IRs) of their own. OH and Redwirez packs come with a TON of IRs.They all feature many different mics recorded at many different positions - at first it can be a bit overwhelming but the key is to find just the right IRs to suit your tastes. Celestion has chosen a bit of an easier approach. There are multiple IRs for each pack, but not hundreds or thousands per pack and theirs are labelled (and named) more descriptively, categorized by Mic and named according to characteristic of the micing position (Bright, Dark, Balanced etc). I really like this approach. The IR host I use is called MixIR 2 from Redwires. For each instance of the plugin there are 6 banks into which you can load 5 or 6 IRs each. I can't think of a reason to use that many but I ten to use more than one at a time - say, an IR of a 57, one of a Royer 121, maybe one of a room mic, one of a rear mic, etc. The possibilities really are endless. I have two Suhr Reactive Load boxes, allowing me to run two amps at a time and blend them together (on separate tracks) in my DAW. This helps me get some really great sounds that I can't get with one amp. In the near future I plan to shoot a few videos dealing with and detailing this topic. I'm planning a relaunch of this channel very soon so please subscribe and hit the bell icon so you'll be notified of new content. Thanks again for your kind words and for your interest!!!

[@sannyhbm216]

This video is amazing you exactly hit what i would play thanks youve got a new NEW supscriber for sure how is the master ? Does it change the tone at all

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

To be honest, since I only use this amp with impulse responses (running direct through a load box into my DAW) I haven't spent much time with the Master Volume. That said, I did mess with it a little when I first got the amp and as I dialed it lower and lower I did hear a difference. I don't recall what that difference was, only that there was one. Thanks for your kind words!!!!!

[@norbertittermann725]

SIMPLY SUPER !!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thanks Norbert!

[@Aarlog]

So since the Reactive Load is rated for 100W and the amp is rated at 150W, would that mean I could use a proper 100W attenuator at 16 ohms with this head?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

It's rated at 150 watts but the power section is basically that of those old school Marshall 1959SLP heads. Those were rated at 100 Watts. I think Bugera is being a bit liberal with their wattage ratings. A 4xEL34 amp is a 100 watt amp, same as a 4x6L6 amp. Where the confusion sometimes occurs is in how wattages are measured. Basically, as I understand it, the way this is measured is by running a sine wave into the front end of amnestying amp - amp's output would be fed to a scope that would measure the output. Such a scope can see when an amp's signal becomes distorted so they would measure up until just below the point where distortion occurs & that's the rated wattage. On a tube amp, especially those old school Marshalls, you'd hit the end of the clean power capacity around 3 on the volume knob, LOL. That doesn't mean higher positions on the volume knob(s) don't get progressively louder - in fact, it's said those old Marshalls, when really cranked, actually were pushing 150 or more watts. So perhaps Bugera is rating it at total watts pushed, not watts with low THD. The reason for load boxes, such as the Suhr Reactive Load, and other attenuators, is to be able to get that cranked up tube amp sound at a manageable volume level. For a lot of people a cranked Plexi (or Hiwatt or Orange, etc) is the holy grail but something we don't usually get to experience because of volume restrictions we all have to deal with. I saw a forum posting on The Gear Page where John Suhr was asked about running such an amp through his Reactive Load - he said he builds them to be robust enough to handle a cranked old school Marshall Plexi type amp. That's exactly what the 1960 Infinium is. So if an attenuator is rated at 100 watts to be able to handle a 100 watt Marshall then you should be safe. I run mine with both volumes around 6 (anything higher just gets a bit gnarly for my tastes) and have run it for 5-6 hours straight with not one problem.....

[@somethinburnin]

@Rick Kittredge so this is set up similar to Randy Rhoads' white 1959 SLP?

[@norbertittermann725]

TOP VIDEO !!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you Norbert!

[@miketerkelsen7660]

Great video and awesome riffs! I want to buy a second amp and can't decide between the 1960 and the 1990. Have you tried the 1990? in that case, which would you say offers the best rock tone (classic and mordern rock)? Cheers from Denmark - you rock!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hello to Denmark! I haven't tried the 1990. A friend of mine has one though, perhaps I'll get to check it out sometime! That said, though I haven't tried it yet, I've heard the 1960 takes pedals really well so with a great OD pedal I bet this amp would sound killer at a manageable volume level!

[@miketerkelsen7660]

Thank you for responding. I've subscribed to your channel so I can follow your excellent work :) Oh, I forgot to ask, could you please tell me from which song the first riff of the video is from? It sounds so good! In fact, it has been haunting me ever since I watched this video for the first time (like 40 or 50 times ago).

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

LOL, thanks man. Things are finally slowing down here (I play in a cover band for a living in a beach resort area so Summers are always slammed) so hopefully I'll be able to get some new video done soon. Stay tuned! The first riffs in this video are the song Too Late For Love from Def Leppard off Pyromania. I don't really know it but the tone of the amp, that chimey kinda sound is something I've always loved but never been able to get. Guess it's a Plexi thing LOL!!!! Thanks again!

[@user-vc3fr2kb3l]

Mean Street!!!!! sounds much more gainy than say a jcm 800

[@mitchellferre1652]

I would love to hear more of this amp and your playing ! Possibly with a Tubescreamer ? Sollodallas Tsr or Storm pedal ?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hi Mitchell - thanks for your comment. I do currently plan on a new, more full featured video of this amp in the neat future, including with a Tube Screamer (well, a Maxon OD808 - I don't currently own either of the other pedals you mentioned (maybe with some more videos under my belt someone'll send me some stuff LOL!).

[@murlyn2]

Sounds great. However, to be fair, your great playing could make mask the tone of a terrible sounding amp. Thx for the video. Keep rocking. More Lynch!

[@ran-diy-audio]

I got this very same amp and kick all ass badly

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

LOL you're too kind, but there is no masking bad tone LOL!!!

[@vox1966]

This amp sounds exactly like a plexi I own one

[@thjorth74]

Awesome playing and sounds. Is that a regular strat pickup in the bridge or is it a humbucker?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

It's a Humbucker.Seymour Duncan JB.

[@HamsterSpanks]

Sounds so good brother! Do you have this cranked? I have one and have never got this kinda tone out of it? I'm gonna have fire her up again. Thank you and Rock On!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hi Hamster - Thanks for your kind words. Yes, the amp is cranked pretty high. I'm not using the Master Volume & the volume knobs are where shown on the inset photo of the amp. Running through a load box (no speaker cab) allows me to crank it, I sure as heck wouldn't be able to crank like that if I were running it into a speaker cab LOL!!!!

[@maxmustardman298]

jeff beck in the bridge baby !

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I love that pickup, have it in a couple Strats and a few LTD's - best bridge pickup for my playing...

[@maxmustardman298]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow certainly the to go pickup if you wanna go 80s rock / metal, but it pretty much does it all

[@seanodonnell9826]

Is the amp all stock as far as the tubes go and everything and are you running any extra effects? Either this amp genuinely sounds amazing or you are making it sound that way! Fantastic choice of riffs and such great playing!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you for such kind words!!!!! Some of the tone is in my hands I guess (everyone sounds different) but this is guitar straight into the amp, no drive or any other pedals. Because of my living situation at the time I made this video (tight neighborhood, couldn't make loud noise LOL) I recorded this with the amp running into a Suhr Reactive Load (1st gen), then into my interface into the DAW. In there I inserted an Impulse Response loader (MixIR2 from Redwirez) and s couple different impulse responses, I don't remember exactly which ones - I think they were from a Greenback-loaded 4x12, different mics I think. I added some verb and delay in my DAW cause I like how that sounds.

[@MrWsaenot]

I never thought a plexi could have so much gain

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Yes, it does gain up nicely. keep in mind though, I'm running through a load box into my DAW using impulse responses. Running this amp at this volume level through a speaker cabinet would be really super loud. Like teeth-rattling loud. Of course, I like that, but there's really nowhere I can get away with that LOL!!!!!

[@MrWsaenot]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow Yeah I was guessing you had to go instant-death-volume to get that kind of overdrive. Thanks for the info !

[@maxmustardman298]

bc it has a cascaded gain stage, and he's pushing the front end really hard with the JB

[@BillDerBerg]

Dead on Def Leppard.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Thank you! It's a great sounding amp!

[@Nightwinflyer]

How is this amp holding up for you? They are on sale right now, I can't find a downside! People frown on Bugera's, but considering amp technology is about 80 years old at this point, a $2500 amp designed that long ago doesn't compute. I did a detailed cost breakdown of what a Gibson Les Paul cost to build out the door...couldn't get above $650 no matter what variables I put in. Probably closer to $450. People would shit if they knew how much it really costs to make a 'hand wired plexi' even with British labor costs. But anyway, awesome playing...thanks for the video!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

TBH I don't use it a whole lot & for roughly a year I wasn't in a place where I could use it at all (bouncing between living here and there. I'm in a house now & use it occasionally in my studio - always using IRs and a load box. It still sounds phenomenal! As far as how it'd stand up to the rigors of the road, I don't know if I'd trust it or not. Can't say I definitely WOULDN'T trust it, but for the price (I paid US $400 brand new when that was their cost) there's gotta be some kind of downside - though I haven't yet found it.

[@Nightwinflyer]

@@TheGuitarNerdShow Thanks! I have a 2x12 cab in a homemade isolation box I record a Fender Bass breaker 15 with. The 1960 would be a studio piece, so I'm sure it would do fine. I sold all my high wattage heads primarily because I didn't have the isolation box built, but also tube maintenance is too expensive. I have been looking at lots of reviews of Bugera amps over the years. No downside I can see especially with the 3 year warranty.

[@snoopy_mind]

Animal

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hahahaha, thank you!

[@wholelottaglove]

Awesome!! I just ordered one. What do you think of the master volume? Will it allow for cranked tones at reasonable volume?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Because I always run the amp through the Reactive Load, I've not ever really given the Master a go - I don't run it into a speaker cab, so I can't really give an accurate answer... I do have to disclose that I had to send the amp in for warranty repair. I don't know what the cause is but I lost the vast majority of the amp's output level. I hope to know soon what was the problem.

[@wholelottaglove]

Steve Senes Damn bro, that sucks! Yea, I think I read your post on TGP describing what happened. Hopefully it’s something simple. Otherwise, the amp sounds killer!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I emailed the warranty center asking them to lemme know what the problem ends up being. The tech mailed back this afternoon telling me he's begun the diagnostic process and is waiting on parts to arrive (not sure what though LOL) but that he believes it to be a preamp tube. I did swap out the power tubes (made no difference) and v1 and v3 of the pre tubes, but not v2. That said, though, I did connect the guitar directly to the FX return & there was still very little signal so, unless the FX loop is between v1 and v2 I don't see how the problem could be a pre tube. That said, though, I hope it's something that simple LOL!!!!!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I wanted to update you - Bugera sent me a new amp (something required for the repair was backordered). I haven't used it a whole lot but I have plugged it in for a few multi hour sessions, into my Suhr Reactive Load, and it seems to be holding up. Sounds great as did the one that failed on me....

[@maxmustardman298]

to a certain degree, I myself have cranked both pre amp and power amp to 6 or 7 and the master open about 10 or 20 %, and I don't dare to crank it any further. It's insanely loud. I've already managed to blow glass door out of a cupboard nearby, that was on 1/4 or so and the room isn't that tiny.

[@dallasbiggz7007]

Hi Steve, that is Amazing tone! 2 Q's: 1) are the verb and delay FX in the fx loop or post cab/mic ? 2) if you were to play that amp tone live for a club how would you go about it? Thanks. You've got me wondering over here... recording into a computer is different beast than trying to gig live.

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hey Dallas, Thanks for the kind words. The FX are added in my DAW. I run the amp into a Suhr Reactive Load, then into my Mac via my interface. In my DAW I run the signal through an impulse response plugin. On this video I was using an IR of a 4x122 loaded with Greenbacks, either Celestion's IRs or an Ownhammer variant. The Delay and Reverb are added via a send in my DAW. Now, as for how I would go about using this amp to get this tone in a live setting? Whew. Honestly, unless you're playing pretty big places I don't know. It has a Master Volume but it's still putting out some decent volume even with the Master dialed back. In this day and age, quiet stages are becoming more and more of a requirement, hate it as I may. Maybe try Suhr's new Reactive Load box which also features the ability to host IRs. Or the Ox from Universal Audio is really nice. Other than something like that, I don't know.... Thanks again!

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

Do you get better tone by using all the power tubes and turning down the master OR... Removing 2 tubes and turning up the master a bit?

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

I've never tried with 2 tubes.

[@deHelli]

Hey Steve this sound is so good. Can you the amp recommend? Grettings from Germany!

[@TheGuitarNerdShow]

Hey there Helmut - I definitely recommend it! I had my reservations with it being an inexpensive amp but even though I did have a problem with the one I purchased, Bugera's customer service was incredible & they sent me a brand new one! I've used that one a lot - cranked up through a load box - and it's worked flawlessly!

[@deHelli]

​@@TheGuitarNerdShow Steve Thank you. I love the Riffs. Is from Ratt & Van Halen. This Guitar Legend Bands. I love it.