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The Bud is a really nice amp, remember there's a port on the bottom - on a soft surface (deep carpet) the Bud can sound boxey, tilt it back a little and the bass fills in nicely. Also, the tweeter is very smooth, adds detail without sounding harsh.
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04-14-2017 02:13 AM
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I have owned the Bud twice now, and also compared it to the DV Mark Little Jazz, and a diamond tolex Polytone MiniBrute
The DV Mark was nice - but the fan noise on the first generation ones drove me crazy, so it was sold - I also felt it was underpowered at 45 watts
The first time I owned the Bud I had it for just 2 days before returning it - I thought that it sounded thin and boxy and it did not get along well with my Eastman AR-371, it had a brightness and harshness that I could not dial out. It also sounded "off" with some of my other guitars as well
The Polytone was a better fit with my Eastman, but I recently downsized my living space to a studio-style apartment, and wanted an amp that was smaller and more "appropriate" to leave out in the living room, which led me to look at the Bud again... I had sold the Eastman, and the Polytone and picked up a Gibson ES-165, and nervously decided to try the Bud for a 2nd time - It works perfectly for me, it sounds amazing with my Gibson, and I couldn't be happier with the sound - so much so, that I wonder if the initial Bud that I received had some issue. The Bud has truly cured me of always looking for the next new amp - and even packed up in it's gig bag it is ridiculously small and easy to transport
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Originally Posted by Tcaron20
That being said, I really wanted to look at the new Benedettos.
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My first Bud had a problem but there was no wondering about it - something was clearly wrong with it. A talk on the phone and they send me a new one two day so I had it in time for a gig and paid return shipping. Great customer service.
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So like most folks I am always on a quest for the best amp that fits my current guitar collection.
While browsing a GC I plugged in a 50 watt Roland Katana. At 24 lbs it feels like lifting a feather compared to my Carr Rambler, etc.
Amazing tone, was blown away. But can it do Jazz? Can it match my unreliable Mini Brute's tone?
I think it can and at $200.00 with a 45 day trial I will be taking one home. Users say that the PC interface for the virtual pedals will get that Jazz tone. Worth a try.
There is a lot of chatter on the boards about the 50 and 100 watt Katana combos. I was close to buying a The Bud but am going to wait until I run the Katana through the paces. $200 vs $1100.00 mmmmmmm.... I'll give it a try!
Tom C
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It could be because Raezer's Edge cabs have become very expensive. I checked the prices recently and found that the price range was between $400 and $600; far more than I would ever pay for a speaker cab. No doubt they are fine pieces of equipment, but just how much better than the alternatives is the question.
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
Good luck on your journey!
You must have a brave woman at your side.
Perhaps you will play the Bajo Sexto south of the border? LOL
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Originally Posted by Klatu
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Originally Posted by rio
Good to know. Some of these small boutique companies do spectacular customer service- my experiences with AI and Redstone were excellent.
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Thanks for the info about the Mambo Jim.
Yeah, the AI/RE combos...I know Michael at SoundIsland Music thinks highly of them,
the speakers tend to be warm and the combination can apparently highlight the acoustic
qualities of the guitar very well...
It seems these days there are about 3 different sonic signatures that we can choose from: Acoustic Image,
Henriksen and Mambo. And really, the Henriksen BUD has a preamp slightly different than the one on the 310/312, and all amps interact differently with different speakers....
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So I've had the Bud for about 7 weeks but I still can't get the Aviator Gold 8 out of my head as an alternative. The Bud sounds great for the size and maybe even sounds great period, but it's a sound that's much more neutral than I would choose if size weren't an issue. The Bud sounds good enough that my wife thinks I'm crazy for even thinking about it, but as silly as it may seem, I miss the colour that I'm used to from an amp and short of running a pre-amp with the Bud, that color is never going to be there. Just thinking out loud but I;d welcome some input.
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Hey Jim,
"Wildcat" has had an Aviator Gold 8 for sale here for a while … now's your chance!
Marc
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... and now Quilter have that 101 Mini Reverb head. I can't stop thinking how that would sound in my house.
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I returned the bud- for me, the sound was too boring with an electric Archtop.
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
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I still love my Bud but that is one reason I got the Mustang GT100. It adds some flavor to the sound. With a group the Bud has been more consistently good, it is also my bass amp now and the utility of it is just amazing but I can understand where you are coming from. I wouldn't cal it boring, personally, but it doesn't color the sound. Which I do like a lot...but one thing I was missing too was the ability to have the sound break up very slightly when pushing it. Before getting the Mustang I was messing around with things to put in front of the Bud and it handles that very well if you can find a unit to go between the guitar and amp. I ended up with a BB Preamp but I don't use it now that I have the Mustang.
The gain trick helps too. It really does affect the sound - they recommend it being at at least 12 o'clock but I like it higher. It won't break up but it does make the sound more interesting.
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I tried the 101 mini reverb, and returned it. I just couldn't get a sound I liked, no matter how I twisted the knobs. I couldn't dial out the nasal sound that seems to be its basic quality. I don't think I'll buy anything from Quilter any time soon.
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I love the bud with a solid wood hollow body specifically because it sounds very neutral and blends very well with the acoustic sound of the guitar. However for a more traditional jazz tone with slightly less definition I don't think the bud offers that without coupling with a preamp. I've taken the recommendation to try the joyo American sound and I think it's great. The quilter differs because, as I understand it, the quilter inherently features settings that yield more tube character.
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Originally Posted by rio
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I pushed a 19 piece jazz orchestra with it a couple of weeks ago (on upright bass). Granted the stage was very acoustically live; it puts out a substantial amount of low end. I doubt i'd take it to a funk gig, but it can get pretty loud.
Originally Posted by medblues
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Originally Posted by medblues
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I'd stick with the Bud and try a pedal in front of it for "flavor". The inexpensive Mojomojo does work well for this.
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Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
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this is my big fear with an acoustic/arch top amp- boring, flat sound. i'd somehow like to have both accuracy and color/flavor. have you tried a tube preamp of some kind? i'm experiementing with an old tube overdrive into otherwise flat clean channels and it does a lot to add life and depth to the sound.
i'm very much considering the new mesa rosette amp that has just been released. hope there is a 4th of july sale to pounce on. very interesting amp.
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I'm very happy with the Quilter 101 mini reverb through a GB Hot Rod Deluxe cab. No nasal here.......
Playing live and getting the best sound from the...
Yesterday, 02:08 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos