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Bugera has had a rough ride until they have reached the level of popularity they hold today. The way they achieved this was by offering incredible value at affordable prices. One of the amps that really drives that point home is their Trirec Infinium. If you are working with less than $1000 and you want something that gets you a heavy, modern sound, Bugera Trirec should be on the top of your list.
The layout of controls on this amp is rather busy. Bugera went with a double row like we are used to seeing on Dual Rectifiers from Mesa/Boogie. That comparison is not without a reason, but more on that later. Trirec features three channels, each with its own cluster. Each cluster includes a three-band EQ along with presence, volume and gain knobs as well as the modern/classic switch. In other words, you get a whole lot of tone shaping capabilities. On the far left, you will find the master controls. These include the Varipower knob, master volume knob, boost and finally reverb. Needless to say, Trirec was built with flexibility and versatility in mind.
Bugera Trirec is a 100 Watt head. The core of its performance is delivered thanks to the four 6L6 tubes in the power stage and five 12AX7 tubes in the preamps stage. Rectification is done using two 5U4 valves if you want a more tamed sound, or silicon diodes if you need to square things away for optimal performance. There is also a third option. You can use both silicon diodes and tubes at the same time. The Varipower feature is there to attenuate the power so that you can push the tubes into their optimal power band without having to deal with obscene levels of volume. On top of that, you get an FX loop with manual or auto send/return modes. Lastly, Trirec fully supports MIDI remote switching, making it a great choice for more complex rigs.
The best thing about Bugera Trirec is the tone it offers to its users. Even though what we are about to say will be considered as a travesty by a lot of guitar players out there, Trirec is easily on the same level as Dual Recto. The tone, warmth, that genuine sag of tube rectification, it is all there. Cleans are nice and tight with more than enough headroom while each channel brings its own layer of gain and girth. When you select diode rectification, crank the Varipower so the tubes start to scream, you will get a truly impressive heavy tone. In all seriousness, put this thing nest to a Dual Rectifier and you will have a hard time finding a significant difference in performance.
What Bugera's Trirec Infinium offers is a true rarity. It brings a truly rectified tube tone at a price that makes it a bargain. It has enough power to drive a full stack with ease, while you can also use it in a recording studio just as easily. If you are bound by a tight budget but you love the Dual Rectifier type of tone, this Bugera is a less known shortcut that will get you there.
For more info about the Bugera Trirec, click here.
For more guitar amps under $1000, click here.
Billy says
I’ve heard so many nightmare stories about these burning out in a matter of HOURS, DAYS and MONTHS. But I’ve also heard they sound amazing. Want one but I’ve become very reluctant.
Tonyr669 says
Burning out? From who? I play the hell out of two of these amps with the stock tubes without a single problem. But hey, buy a Mesa for three grand plus. No one EVER had a problem with them, right?
Trent says
you might be thinking of the 333 man.
tonyr669 says
I have two TriRec amps. Not a single problem. The range and sound is unbelievable for the money. Its would be worth it at 2 times the price easily. Let the naysayers say what they want. This amp crushes it. The footswitch that comes with it changes the 3 channels, the Teverb in/off and the Effects Loop. REALLY. Show me another 100 watt with 11 tubes for this price. I can afford any amp I want. This is my amp.
Trent says
I’ve owned my TriRec for a little over a year now with little to no issues, playing daily in the rehearsal space or live on stage. I do however highly recommend changing the stock Bugera tubes, I run JJ EL34s in mine now.
The amp is extremely versatile. For $500-600 you’d be hard pressed to find another 100W head that even comes close to matching this one in terms of sound and shear quality. As far as build quality, I made the mistake of dropping mine from about waist height at a show back in October, and if what I’ve said so far is no indication, the thing still fucking runs. Like a champ if I may add.
Lefty Loosy says
I’ve played on various high end products such as Marshalls, Mesa Boogies, Peavey 6505+, etc. Personally, I didn’t see why they were so expensive for the tone they produced. In addition, those valve amps need to be biased and such for maintenance. Why pay a few thousand dollars for a brand name, literally? Also, you’d need to pay someone to properly bias the valves.
First off, The Bugera Trirec sounds just as high quality (if not better) than all of the high end amps I’ve played on; It’s tone is its main asset. In all actuality, I couldn’t dial in a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier as easily as the Bugera Trirec. (Mind you, the amps I’m referring to are similar amps, Rectifiers or not, with modern gain. A Fender Super Chorus, for instance, would be difficult to compare)
Secondly, the quality of the product surprised me positively. It’s heavy, rugged, and glamorous to look at in a darkly lit room (amber LEDs indicate the preamp valves are in circuitry, but no one tells you that). The Infinium technology eliminates pesky visits to a repair technician to bias the power valve section as well.
Lastly, the price. Mind you, I didn’t pay full price for a new one. Instead, I bought a lightly used one for $250 on OfferUp. If for some insane reason the TriRec faults,( reminder, always plug the head into a speaker cab before turning it on), I would happily buy another one new. I believe this company gave what other brands could not offer. Give it a try yourself, and it may change how you see the big name brands and how little they offer for the prices they ask for.