Bugera 333 Infinium: Gear Review

The Bugera 333 Infinium is an all valve, 120 watt, 3 channel guitar amplifier with more gain and volume than any mortal creature dare ever use.
It also features the Infinium valve life management circuitry which constantly checks that the valves are correctly biased and regularly makes adjustments so that the valves are operating at their best. This prevents strain on the valves caused when one has to take the weight of another when biasing wanders and should extend the life of the valves.
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[@TheRosswise]

Bugera's bad reliability reputation comes from the early pre-2008 Bugeras. They had widespread issues with the factory bias and an issue with a transformer clip melting. The transformer issue was fixed in 2008, and the bias issue is moot with the Infiniums.

[@luisrodz7511]

TheRosswise I bought an infinium 333xl sounded great but died within a year. Bugera’s warranty is a joke they neves responded my calls or emails then tried to contact them by Facebook and then just ignore me.

[@CrushingRiffsWreckords]

@@luisrodz7511 Really? I have an old 6262 non-infinium version for like 10 years, i don't have a single problem with it. we've been through a lot of volume and shows. And belive me, i use that head even in these days.

[@cocktailzombie]

I have a kemper profiling amp and was going to sell my bugera 333xl but the resale price was so low it made more sense to keep it. It might not have the pedigree and desireability of a Mesa, ENGL or an old marshall but it sounds great. After taking those crapppy chrome pieces off i love it even more. If you are thinking about this amp and see it cheap second hand you should buy it.

[@ScienceofLoud]

Over the last year many people have been asking me to review the Bugera 333 Infinium that I've been using in my videos and on stage. Here's my review of the amp, I hope you enjoy.

[@necromanticalspirit5627]

You stated here it you had owned it for a year before making this review. Well now it has passed another year after uploading this video which makes you have owned it for two years. Is the Bugera still working perfect? Any flaws came to cross in this time? Interested in buying one as used.

[@ScienceofLoud]

Still great, no issues. Infinium is keeping the valves in line, so I've not even had to replace those. There isn't a single complaint I can think of. For the price this is an incredible amplifier for both home and stage use.

[@tnridge]

CSGuitars Thinking of getting this for my daughter. We have a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier ..and she love's it but maybe wanting something a little extra to dingle with. For the price you cant go wrong..under 300 for a 125 watt tube amp? How would you compare it to the Mesa?

[@ScienceofLoud]

Ridge97 I'm probably the wrong person to ask because I really dislike the Mesa Dual sound. Certainly the Mesa will be made to a higher quality than the Bugera, but as you've stated for the price I think the Bugera offers a really solid, decent sounding amp. If you get one I would definitely recommend putting good quality valves in it though, the stock ones aren't great.

[@jacktowers7533]

CSGuitars I actually just bought on secondhand for $550 once the valves die I'm gonna use two sovtek kt66s and kt88s paired with my 4x12 loaded with two greenbacks and creambacks

[@blindbonesrumble3935]

If you ever get the time, it would be awesome to see another series or video similar to the shite paul series. I loved seeing the process of the rebuild! Regards from your fan in Canada

[@Albee213]

I just ordered the 333-212 (not infinium) brand new for $259, just waiting for it to arrive! I hope it does the trick, I have been using solid state for years and got some good tones but avoided tube amps becuase of price and maintenance. Counting the minutes waiting for it to arrive!!!

[@DaveDoingDaveThings]

god damn, the LED warning lights are a great idea. Want those on a marshall

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Still pounding in 2018

[@VioletDeliriums]

I do not play a lot of metal, but I love watching your videos and have learned a few things from them. Plus it's fun to see what other people are doing, especially when they are well-mannered. I think your comment about "more saturation" = "more sustain, but less dynamics" is right on! (I also liked your comment on the other video about metal sound and that you lose clarity/projection with too much gain.) Because I do more alt-rock & punk than metal, I use fuzz more often than heavily saturated distortions, but the same thing happens with fuzz: you get more sustain but almost zero dynamics. That is a problem I have with my Little Big Muff because like many Electro-Harmonix pedals, they go from zero to crazy quickly (with the dial at 8 or 9 o'clock sometimes). I have better luck controlling dynamics with my red germanium Fuzz Face Mini (but it has no tone control). So I am still looking for a fuzz box that will work best for me, but I'm in no hurry. :) One thing I think you do great and very consistently are those really awesome pick harmonics, like the ones Zack Wylde does in Ozzy's "No More Tears." I use pick harmonics a lot and I like the way mine sound and I use them with different amounts of harmonic/pure tone mix because I like to accent with them, so I have a good deal of control over them. But I do not get them like that with those kinds of overtones that you get. Maybe you could do a video about that? The physical techniques and the electronic gear settings you find that work best? Do you think the low tuning has something to do with the way the string responds?

[@Module79L]

Hi Colin, I know this is an old video but have two questions not directly related to this amp but to amps in general, to which I can't seem to find an answer. Hope you don't mind me asking it here. : ) I have a Bugera 6262 Infinium head (as you know, the two outputs are switchable between 4, 8 and 16 Ohms, just like in the 333) and a Palmer 2x12" cabinet with 8 Ohms G12T 75 Celestion speakers. The cabinet gives me the choice of running it in mono (4 Ohms) or stereo (8 Ohms). My questions are: 1. Which one of the two options puts less stress on the amplifier? 2. Is there any advantages in running the speakers individually rather than the two together? Thanks in advance.

[@roybunch4997]

great demo,im saving for one now..but can't decide between the 333 or the 333xL..i know the differences,just can't decide if i really need the small differences that the XL offers(noise gate&presence knob)

[@fearofthedark88]

Colin what if we want to get “frankly insane” ?

[@rhodrijohn1457]

After that review I've decided to buy one of them. Cheers dude.

[@TheHexebus]

Ive heard some good and bad reviews about them. How are they? Some people say they're like ticking time bombs.

[@Grouuumpf]

I know I'm slightly late on this, but i've had one for 6+ years that I hauled around for months between rehearsal, small gigs and my place, and it never twitched. Just be mindful that the 333XL has a built-in noisegate that the 333 doesn't have (not an issue if play without pedals tho), and that, IMO, it doesn't go well with active pickups. Can't help but find it cold with my emg's. However, with passive pickups, it's hot as lava and packs a punch.

[@Grouuumpf]

Quick question for the techies here: 19yo me decided (well, read on forums) that it was a good idea to pull out 2 power tubes to make the whole thing run hotter without blasting windows. I certainly feel like it worked as intended, but years later i'm wondering if it actually makes sens, on a technical level. was young me right, or is it some placebo effect?

[@lobao87]

The Bugera page says what valves you should take off to make it half-power ish... Take 1 and 4 or 2 and 3 power amp valves off and change de impedance selector. I take 2 and 3 off and switched impedance to 8. My cab is 16ohms, so I had to select this way. If you use 8 ohms cab, select 4ohms, if you use 16 ohms cab, select 8ohms. Done, good sound without blowing you head off!

[@Grouuumpf]

@@lobao87 I do remember fiddling with something like that, but it might have been 50-50 chance that I didn't destroy the thing ^^ t'was 11+ years ago ^^ and holy fuck this comment was made 3 fucking years ago oO

[@lobao87]

Loïc Rebts I was searching for some videos about this amp and started scrolling de comments. Then I see your question! Hahahahahah Cheers from Brazil!

[@ramonespinoza7661]

hello Colin, I'll buy a new amplifier, my favorite was the H&K tubemeister 36, the power soack is ideal for the bedroom where I play most of the time, but the bugera 333 120w costs 400 dollars less than the H&K, and the 50w version is no longer available in my country, so the cuestion, I can get good sound in a bedroom volumes with the bugera 333 120w?

[@daniwest1370]

man whenever he says crunch i really feel like eating....

[@billbimson2408]

Hey Colin, loved the series on the Shite Paul and the changing of valves on the amp. Not seen anyone else do that before. Most other people who are into gear are trying to sell something, so carry on what you are doing mate.

[@crib3ria]

Hey man what settings do you have on your crunch chanel? :D

[@SLUGtexas]

Just picked up one of these, and I love it. .. To remove those 'beautiful' chrome wings, do they just pop off, or do you have to remove the front grill?

[@xXBantamCatXx]

hey, how does the combo version of this amp hold up?

[@konsocosmin3332]

Hi Collin can you tell me your honest opinion on the Bugera after all these years...i'm asking because i want to buy the Bugera xxl infinium...pls help

[@bucketheadrox]

i think this is gonna be my first venture into the tube/valve world. you cant beat the price and features. but i do wish it would just come chromeless.

[@MichaelRigsbyHammer]

bucketheadrox unscrew from back of amp.

[@GreenmanXIV]

Hi Colin, you didn't say what make of EL34s you used. I fitted Harma Cryo / EL34 retro valves in my 333 infinium 212. You could actually knock down walls with the gain wound up! The thing is I love Strat's and I'm getting old, and rather like the idea of getting back into the Blues. Do you recon EL84s would the better option. I've heard the lower output is better suited to single coils. I don't want to melt the 333, so the thing is will it work out? Cheers Colin, AKA, GreenmanXIV.

[@cliaremkeavney7639]

+GreenmanXIV I think it depends on plate voltage. not sure if EL84's would just burn out where they are lower voltage

[@alphanumeric1529]

Got a huge question, can't find any answers on the web, maybe y'all can help? Love the clean channel on this amp. But the crunch starts out too crunchy and gets crunchier from there. Is there anyway to clean up the crunch channel so it'll start relatively clean and I can overdrive it into crunch and further into distortion with more gain? As is, I have the gain turned up only like a millimeter and use the volume to increase... the volume. Was thinking about finding cleaner preamp tubes as I know all the crunch/distortion is coming from the preamp and not the poweramp. If I blasted this amp to the extent that I was getting poweramp distortion, pretty sure I'd be knocking helicopters out of the sky. Any help would be appreciated!

[@stonefateband3387]

Is your 333xl still going strong or is it brown bread now outta interest?

[@BadMotivator66]

review the dimebucker please?

[@Admiral_Bongo]

It sucks. No mids, all fizz. 4/10.

[@fendafred]

Hi, I'm looking for an amp for mostly playing on stage but I would like to be able to use it at home now and then. I can't try that amp before buying and am feeling suspicious about its power rating. 120W is extremely loud for a valve amp. I already get complaints from the sound guy with a 50W Marshall hence will that Bugera be manageable with 120W?

[@tiibox4087]

Colin, I know this is an old video, but I might as well give this a go. I simply cannot decide between the Bugera 333 and the Bugera Trirec. I'm hopelessly lost Thanks

[@DCWelker]

TRIREC!. I own a Trirec with sovtek tubes and it is an absolute monster and super, super versatile

[@kaeseistcool]

If you check the biasing on the amp directly and change the tubes as soon as possible the amp will hold and well for less than 0,5bucks/day for the warranty time its awesome

[@adamlentz6708]

Hey man! I couldn't help noticing you holding the tube by the glass and I was wondering if you know whether the oil from your hands actually do hurt the tunes or not? Great vids!

[@ScienceofLoud]

+Adam Lentz Unlike car headlight bulbs which can be seriously compromised by skin contact, the valves used in guitar amps simply do not get hot enough for any oils transferred from your hands to damage the glass. You are more then safe to touch amp valves without worrying about shortening their life.

[@adamlentz6708]

CSGuitars OK thank you! I've had a bit of a debate with band mates about the topic! I'll be sure to let them know!

[@punkwandy]

colin can you do a video on beginner guide to buy the first tube amp and the cabs? I love the sound of tube amps and how massive these look like in recordings but have no education in this thing and I don't want to waste my money on some stupid choices...

[@FireCross10]

what cab have you used to make this video ?

[@Bacontruffle]

What's that song you're playing at 3:53? I've heard it before... but I just can't put my finger on it.

[@Sanders83]

Hey Colin. What is your band called?

[@PontLimon]

would it be ok to plug it into Marshal MG412 120 w ?

[@ThezPUNKzProduction1]

Hey Collin do you use any type of pedals with this amp?

[@xgeorges74]

are you using just the amp or do you have some pedals in front of it?

[@ulstervillan1307]

Also takes KT77 valves too.

[@disembodiedstudios]

hey there. so in the video u said youve had the 333xl for a year and its going strong has anything gonr wrong since?

[@Walshfan]

Do the chrome parts remove easily?

[@julle3213]

1:13 "Before your amp sets on fire" Bugera jokes xD

[@DuDuGuitaRj]

I have one. It's a great amp I think.

[@larrytate1657]

I saw these amps being offered new with 6L6s now. Think these can make a versatile amp to play light rock up to metal with for recording?

[@larrytate1657]

Did u experience the interference when a radios playing? I heard they have no shielding.

[@austinfailz]

Nice Fibson, bro. And no, the F isn't an error. I know why some of you might think that seeing as the F is next to G, but it wasn't.

[@carlojanik8308]

Hey man! I'm between the bugera 6262 and 333XL, Which one is better for playing prog metal and death metal? I need a fat dist with a good low end and a good cleans. Cheers!

[@cliaremkeavney7639]

+Carlo Uchiha I think both will be good, the bugera has a pentode triode switch which is a nice touch. I've heard the 6262 has heaps of gain, a fair bit more than anyone should ever need. it has 5 12ax7 to produce that gain. Both are great amps and both are good for what you want so get what sounds best to you

[@mfkrwill]

want to get one of these for my roommate/guitarist for his birthday... hopefully i can swing it

[@broderick.8054]

Man! Can I room with you? Lol

[@mfkrwill]

the mad ginger of course XD he is also the guitarist for my band so theres that as well :p

[@norbitcleaverhook5040]

Hello people and fellow shredders and thrashers. I just bought a Bugera 333 second hand and realised today that it's not an Infinium. I still love the sound of the amp but was wondering if anyone knows the main differences. I know the technology is for prolonging the life of the tubes and helping to replace the tubes without needing to "Bias" the tubes or, from what I can gather, get a technician to replace them for you. But does it do anything to change the performance or tone of the amp. Is my amp the same thing just minus the "infinium Technology" Does it perform and sound as good as one with Infinium technology? I was kinda butthurt when I realised it was different. I was searching everywhere for the LED indicator lights on the back, the ones which warn you when the Tubes are burning out and that's when I realised. Also one of the tubes in my amp doesn't burn as bright as the others. It is only slightly less bright but it is dimmer none the less. Is this an indication that the Tube is starting to die on me or am I just being worried about nothing? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

[@InTheSh8]

Usually you won't need a technician if you stick to the same matched powertubes that came with your amp. The preamp tubes can be taken out of the equation. They don't need to be biased. If your amp is biased wrongly from the factory (sounding like a saw or too cold or too thin although tubes are new) then it might be an indication that the bias needs to be adjusted. Usually you can ask in tube seller's forums if it's possible to get a matched Quad for your amp. It should have a fixed bias, so if the tube seller/technician knows the model he can give you the exact right tubes for your amp. There was a sound difference though especially when you had an original 5150 back in the day if you gave it to a technician. The peavey's factory bias was unnecessarily cold to lengthen tube life. Many 5150 owners wondered why the amp sounded as if a curtain was put in front of it. The Bugeras, I don't think they are biased too cold or so. Especially if you like your sound, there's nothing too worry about.

[@InTheSh8]

If you really have a bad tube in there, it will be audible. If you never opened an electronic device and you don't understand about voltages and that elkos, capacitors and so on can store insane voltages even while switched off, I recommend you shouldn't change power tubes yourself. You cold touch the tube socket by mistake and die, 300 to 700v in such an amp. I once touched an open contact in a princeton chorus transistor amp. I was really out of order for 2 hours or so. In a valve amp you make mistakes only once!!!

[@gabeb8848]

any good alternatives for a condo use practice mainly

[@MegicShiba]

how has this amp held up?

[@tgdb4968]

Cheers man great review.

[@2handedswordenjoyer]

stupid question but could it be used at bedroom levels with a 1x12 cab without shattering windows and tv screens? for the price it's ridiculous to pass up.

[@DCWelker]

A Bugera Trirec can.. It comes with a built in attenuator

[@Thatlegalityburneracc]

I know this video is old,but how did you remove the ugly-ass chrome plates in the front ? I am getting one too soon and I wanna know,please ;^;

[@ScienceofLoud]

+The dying Hunter there are a few screws on the rear side of the front panel that hold the chrome plates on. You'll have to take the front panel off to access them.

[@James57AOL]

I ve always enjoyed the Bugera amps that have become a very good amp for the price in my opinion. They are clear of the early years defective parts issues now that some 10 plus years has gone by. But, I m wanting to decide between the 1990 and thee 1960 amp for tones like the old school marshalls. Does any one have a direct opinion about this situation. Any advice will be merited as having value, if you ve played them, owned them, or been in a situation where someone was playing them and they did well enough to leave a definite impression in either a very good way...or a danger pos way. In hopes of hearing from you all I thank you in advance. Any information of value is greatly apprecdiated

[@lobao87]

I got a 333 for a year, no complains. Recording in the drummers home studio, playing gigs. Rock solid, always good sounding.

[@mattspeer9833]

Hey I know it's an old video but you said the reverb can be set per channel. on mine I can't seem to do that anybody know how?

[@ScienceofLoud]

With your desired channel selected press the reverb button, it will light up to indicate the reverb is on for that channel. Switch channel and you can set reverb on or off there too. Do this for each channel.

[@crimsonkingscourt]

The 333 is supposed to be a copy of the Peavey JSX so I think the chrome plates on the front are just another part of the imitation...

[@DaveDoingDaveThings]

can you get "valve life monitoring circuitry" to install in other amps ?

[@caidurkan251]

Not that I've heard of, from what I know, you'll have to install it from scratch yourself or buy a bugera if you want it.

[@zeti_wow5357]

how did you take those plastic chrome plates off?? I'm trying to do the same with mine but I think I'll damage the amps cosmetics

[@lobao87]

You’ll need to take the grill off. They have screws from the inside

[@DOGFACEDDEMON]

shit i just posted on the wrong video. sorry dude. i love the sound of the bugera do you think it is a good idee to sell my 6100 30th anniversery and cabinet to get the bugera 333xl with bugera cabinet? or should i ceap my marshall cabinet or don't sell the top and cabnet in the first place. i need to play every thing . death metal thrash metal rock and blues jazz

[@VHT418]

Just keep your 6100 and boost it. I don't see it dropping in value any time soon.

[@MichaelRigsbyHammer]

VHT418 i own 3 bugera's and love them all,but if you have a good sound keep what you have,not gettin the sound you want,buy one make sure it's infinium tho.keep the cab.

[@DOGFACEDDEMON]

thanx. i gues it will be the infinium then.

[@TomPark1986]

It's too bad it doesn't have the Vari Power like the trirec for bedroom playing.

[@DCWelker]

exactly

[@bladerunner900]

what part of asia are you from?

[@TheVexdOne]

Good video, Just ordered one of em and was hoping it isnt a mistake. Thanks for this, on a side note, got damn you look like a young Brandon Dicamillo

[@raulperez2308]

how's it now?

[@InsomniacMatt]

I am wondering if 16 year old me getting a Peavey Valveking 100 amp + cab was a mistake. (I am now 24 going on 25)

[@diegamingbuletten4743]

lol im 16 and im thinking about buying a peavey valveking 100 xD would you say its an good amp for the cheap price? or is it shit and should i safe money for an better amp?

[@InsomniacMatt]

The amp head is good, If you can afford it, get the amp head and a different cabinet (ask your local music store about a different cab). Also a tip is the Valveking has some good mids, and the effects loop is buffered so place one of those small cables that connect two pedals together and plug that into the effects loop.

[@diegamingbuletten4743]

thanks for the information, i was thinking about getting a second hand mesa boogie 4x12 cabinet from a friend

[@InsomniacMatt]

pick whichever one you feel gets the best sound for your equipment is all i can really say

[@garytalman3326]

I agree those chrome plastic parts are indeed pish. The amp itself sounds good though.

[@Nrw40]

how to remove those chrome plates?

[@ScienceofLoud]

LW Use a Screwdriver. There are a few fixing screws on the rear side of the front panel.

[@Nrw40]

CSGuitars thanks+gr.

[@louaguado995]

Best tone I've heard from a bugera on KZbin, maybe it's the cabinet you're using? Bugera speakers aren't the best. Or can it be that you're like me and don't put the treble on 10, :-)

[@Awesomeman3655]

Cool amp!

[@RandyFricke]

It does look better w/o that gawdy chrome crap. I love my 6260 Combo. Pre-Infinium but I had my tech re-tube it anyway. EL34's of course...

[@76_gd]

You should make a discussion Video about the whole thing if deathcore and metalcore is metal or not. And you should say somethind about djent.. those comments should be fun:D

[@felixcaraballo7568]

From what company is the amplifar and what distortions are you using

[@My1234567890ab]

God damn, when I saw the thumbnail I thought you cut your hair. xD

[@TheKaneDestroyer]

Nice. But I obviously prefer vox, or my top favourite "The Fender Deluxe 900".

[@gabeb8848]

i dropped my hot pocket

[@gabeb8848]

Zachary Williams im crying

[@qwpo2126]

F

[@lucasgoldfinger212]

Those ugly wings were all metal on my older Bugera 333XL (pre infinium) :D

[@dakotawoodworx2282]

I too hate chromed pieces of plastic shit!!! LOL!! great video...always wondered what they were like.

[@garethhowes6193]

I completely agree, those plastic chrome things make it look like a cheap piece of shit.

[@reynoldadamson9892]

Ah Crazy Train. I'd recognize that riff anywhere.

[@BigWallsy]

POUNDING!!!! Lol.

[@tiberseptim100]

lol i have gain on both crunch and lead on 10 :P

[@DCWelker]

why? I have a Trirec and my gain is at about 6.5 on my lead channel.. that is monstrous enough

[@fearofthedark88]

“Pounding“

[@yawningdogge]

Are you OK? You don't look well.

[@harrycallahan9143]

5:46 Oi! the best part of the amp are those crummy, chrome, plastic pieces of shit.

[@ianflint9164]

Great playing, but the Paul really does sound like shite.

[@ourcollectiveinsanity]

in my opinion, that amp has GREAT CLEANS but TERRIBLE distortion, so be aware of that.

[@MrDulvalius69]

.

[@iliveinmoonlake]

Yo Colin,check out my vid!! Livin' after midnight "cover" csguitars. I got a marshall since then

[@TomPark1986]

120 Watts...everyone needed those extra 20 watts.

[@idreamofdrone]

It's not funny My amp is on fire!

[@TheAntonVIP]

Что за обзор(((( Говно какое-то.. Полролика балаболит, но только не играет.. Потом клин крачн и всё что ли?? А лида совсем чуть чуть?? Играть надо, а не языком чесать.. Жутко бесили всегда такие отстойные обзоры...

[@KobZen]

HAHAHAHAHHH I also will take out those chromed pieces of shit from mi 333xl xD

[@76_gd]

You should make a discussion Video about the whole thing if deathcore and metalcore is metal or not. And you should say somethind about djent.. those comments should be fun:D