Behringer GX108 Firebird Combo

The "vintage looking" GX108 features one channel and basic controls, but the features work exactly as expected when matched up with a variety of guitars, and produces a good. tube-like tone at modest volumes.

The amp features 15 watts or so and an 8 inch speaker, and sounds very tube-like, when driven through the semi-ported/closed back cabinet. One of the features of this amp is that for low volume (home practice) this amp doesn't exhibit the annoying hum-hiss most tube amps exhibit at low volumes. If you have single-coil pickups or cheap guitar cables, your guitar may pick up some of the 60Hz power "RF" nose from your PC, and dimmer-lights. And there's a headphone jack.

For sound shaping, there are bass, mid, and treble controls. To control overall volume, there is a level control. To control gain-distortion there is a gain control.

There is a single power switch and power lamp indicator, and a removable power cord.

Sound quality is where the GX108 really shines. I have owned and auditioned high-end tube amps from most of the major manufacturers during recording, performance venues, and practice. I can honestly say that this amp is best in class for low volume applications. I still own a few tube amps for stage venues.

The clean tones, and mildly distorted tones of the GX108 are exceptional, and suitable for any genre of music. The amp and speaker exhibit a crisply articulated, tube-like compression and the semi-closed cabinet is tuned to exhibit an "alive" sounding guitar tone. The tone is not dry, but not overwhelmingly resonant. The tone works well with all the guitars I own. I use telecasters, strats, and hollowbody guitars. Here's the starting point that I use to set up the amp: Gain 2+, Level 6-, Bass 5-, Treble 9- ("+" means a shade over, "-" designates a fraction under).

I judge an amp by the clean tone it produces. If I can not get a good tube-like clean tone out of an amp, then I can forget about pedals or any other ideas of amp versatility. I nearly always practice blues, rock, and jazz clean, and this amp will tell me exactly when my technique falters because the cleans are that good. I also normally record with a mostly clean guitar track, and add reverb or other sound modeling to the guitar tone when mixing the tracks.

Now here's what is really surprising about the GX108. Top notch guitars will, of course, sound good through the combo. However, some entry-level guitars actually sound much better than expected, and almost as good as their $1,000 counterparts. For example, a blond squire affinity special telecaster neck pickup sounds very authentic when rolling off the volume 1/2, and rolling off the treble 1/2, then find-tuning the guitar controls for the room acoustics. Similarly, a squire affinity bullet (fixed bridge) strat with the volume and tone controls each at 5 bring out a very sweet and resonant strat tone to the guitar's neck pickup. Hollowbody and semi-hollowbody guitars with stronger humbucking pickups similarly sound very good, keeping in mind the fine tuning needed with the volume and tone controls.

Here's one caveat every guitar owner should heed when setting up a quality amp-guitar rig, before auditioning and making a purchase decision. Once you use the recommended-suggested amp settings you may have to adjust pickup height to get the preferred tone, and articulation-compression. A lot of folks end up trading in or selling perfectly acceptable amps and guitars, when they simply need to set them up as a system. If you audition amps any other way, you are really going by trial and error because the guitar setup makes a big difference in the overall tone and feel of the guitar-amp combination.

It is really almost unbelievable that a $80 amp and a $100 squire affinity bullet (or slightly more expensive blond affinity tele) can sound and play so exceptional as to be a viable option for recording and practice. On a double-blind session recording tracks this combination may be indistinguishable from tube gear and high-end instruments by most listeners and players, and may be even preferred by some because of the nice resonant tone imparted by the GX108.

I have never had any trouble with the GX108.

I have had much more trouble with the shipping carriers and retailers throwing the factory boxes around and stepping on them in their trucks. And I have had trouble with people stealing gear that was left unattended.

Behringer has taken care of the quality control, and the rest is what insurance is for ... but why insure an $80 product?

Behringer's online customer support model is actually superior to some other support models. One big company (which will remain anonymous) is good at personal support only if/when you can get them on the phone. However, lately this "big company" has been using voice mail to catch incoming customer calls and simply loops on a marketing message.

At least with the Behringer online support model, I know my question is in the queue, and I can track the progress of my question.

Hands off to Behringer for using a customer support model that matches their product quality control. The other guys will have to catch up to this standard and level of efficiency.

For the cost, and considering what this amp can accomplish (it is a practice and recording amp, not a live gigging amp unless you mic it and use the house PA and monitors) at it's price there is no competition for this amp.

For $80 new, which includes the Behringer standard warranty, this has got to be the best deal going. For student guitarist, guitar teachers, or professional use this amp will give you quick pay-back and solid long-term performance.

I have been playing and performing all styles of music for 30 years, and have owned this amp for several years now. I would not hesitate in a minute to replace it if I needed another one. There are very, very few amps I would consider replacing or even keeping if given to me. For the price paid, this is one of the "keepers."

If I needed another one, I would simply google "Behringer GX108" and buy another one on the spot.



I have been playing and performing all styles of music for 30 years, and have owned this amp for several years now. I would not hesitate in a minute to replace it if I needed another one. There are very, very few amps I would consider replacing or even keeping if given to me. For the price paid, this is one of the "keepers."

Made in China of course, in 2002 according to the label on back. One channel. There's no channel switch. BUT. If you set gain knob all-the-way down to zero. You have a clean channel. And if you start to turn the gain up you can have an overdriven channel as well. No effects loop. But a headphone and tape in/out jacks at rear. It's a home practising amp and enough power for home.

As I said before if you set the gain zero and raise the volume knob at higher levels (6 or up) the amp gets some bassy voice. But at home, you don't have to raise it. But keep in mind that no hum at the clean sound. I am using Digitech's Genesis 3. Typically I set amp's gain "zero" and the volume level is 4-5. Even in rectifier mode in Genesis, the hum is acceptable.

I've been using this amp since 2004. No problem at all.

Never needed to contact with Behringer so far.

I am a hobbyist, an amateur. Been playing for three years.I have a Squier Telecaster Std. with seymour duncan's quarter pound on the bridge and as mentioned above Digitech's Genesis 3. This amp should not be compared with tube or hybrid amps. This would be mistake. First of all this is a practice amp. Actually I don't like amps which are loaded with poor quality effects or etc. An amp should be only an amp. You should add distortions, effects and other things via stomp boxes or effects machines. With a satisfying device (like Genesis 3) you can get a lot of good voice from this tiny Behringer. In the future I want to buy a higher watt amp of course. But I think I'll keep this little friend too. Not gonna sale it.

Like other classic amp designs, Behringer would be unwise to ever take it out of production.

This is a very simple and classic amp, with 3 band eq. (bass, mid, treble), master volume, and gain. No effects loop. No reverb.

Headphone jack, RCA in/out (I would prefer line in and effects loop).

Single 8 inch speaker. But, oh my, does it sound full with plenty of lows and sparkly rich in harmonics! This is a nice vintage paper speaker matched well to the cabinet, and perfectly suited for a low-wattage vintage amp.

This amp isn't about extra features and versatility. It is about a guitar player's tone at reasonable volume levels.

Go buy a 100 watt vintage guitar amp, if you want stage or stadium volume levels, otherwise check out this amp for practice and recording.

This is one of Behringer's finest achievements. Yes, I know that Behringer is venturing into high-end tube amps, but this amp (in the price range of $39 to $69) is unsurpassed.

In fact, the low cost, simplicity of the controls, and the vintage 8 inch speaker coupled to electronics that do sound a bit like tubes, gives this amp a tone (at modest home or recording volumes) unsurpassed at any price.

In fact, this amp, while not something you would use on an auditorium stage or in a stadium, has the tone of a vintage tube amp and vintage paper speaker, with the added fidelity (sparkly highs) of a modern boutique amp.

No kidding, this amp sounds as good as it's vintage cousins costing thousands of dollars. Of course, it won't compete on stage with 60 or 100 watts of tube power (nor was it designed for this purpose).

I have used hollow body jazz, telecasters, strats, 335, light and heavy strings, and flatwounds to play through this amp and every guitar sounds like it should. The 3 band eq allows me to tailor the frequency response to the guitar, and when I use a pair of these (or one GX108 Firebird and one BX108 Thunderbird) with Behringer's Digital Reverb pedal (DR100 set to spring mode), this amp reminds me of a '50s twin tube amp with real spring reverb. It really is a very convincing tone, and actually sounds better than big tube amps in small quarters like living rooms of your average sized home.

In case you don't know, lugging your pro gear into your living room will not improve your tone, because the big amps seems to get bass heavy in smaller rooms, and the tube hiss that is not evident in showrooms or on stage is very noticeable in your home. And you just can't turn them up (without damaging your hearing) to get the tube tone. It is often best to keep those pro tube amps out of the home, and stowed away for performance venues, unless you use an attenuator.

The Behringer engineers really know what they are doing, and this amp is evidence they have a winner for vintage sound quality in the home or recording studio.

For clean, unprocessed tube tone, this amp stands with the best ever built.

Behringer customer support in the USA is good, and I have not had trouble with any of my Behringer gear.

The ony trouble I have with Behringer gear is finding it in stock, as we often have to wait months for a boat from overseas to deliver the goods to our USA distributors.

I would and do continue to depend on this amp on a daily basis.

Customer support has always been good (not always the fastest, though).

I've been playing for 30 years, and have played many of the amps produced in this time frame.

This is a high yield (good sound for the money) amp, and if high sound pressure levels are not needed, I don't think you can find better tone at any cost, if you like vintage combo tube tone.

This amp is truly a 10, if you are looking for vintage tube amp sound quality and practical volume levels for practice and recording.

Do yourself a favor, and check this amp out. Don't compare it to a 40 watt tube combo in a noisy music store. Take it into the lesson room, or a back room of the store (lounge)to find out how it sounds in a quieter living room type quarters.

You will not believe your ears!

Aspiring musicians and professionals alike need to check out the Behringer GX108 Firebird. This amp is a classic and Behringer would be unwise to ever take it out of production.

VERY EXCELLENT, VERY BASIC, PRACTICE COMBO

I give this little practice combo's features a 10 equally for what it has, and for what it doesn't have. This 15W amp puts out a lot of sound for its size and is dead simple - no on board effects, no amp modeling - and I like that - FX and amp modeling suck on these cheap combos. Just the basics - you got one channel, a 3 band EQ, gain, and level - it gets pretty good overdrive, but if want heavy distortion or other FX, get a pedal. Very good clean sound. One nice thing is that this little combo has both stereo RCA INPUT and OUTPUT jacks - very cool. And they're cheap enough, you can get two of them and get stereo effects - try it with a rotary speaker pedal, for example.

This thing has excellent, full, transparent clean sound, and also sounds fine with my various effects pedals - I sometimes use two of these amps with an AB/Y box so I can get stereo effects with some of my pedals. The gain will give you fairly good overdrive, but I rely on my distortion boxes for anything heavier - I would do this anyway unless I was using a footswitchable 2 channel combo because I often move between and clean or mildly overdriven and heavily distorted sound.

There is no hum or background noise - and nothing to interfere with the sound of your guitar and FX chain. I've used it for guitars with single coils and for humbuckers - and they all sound very good. This little thing also puts out an amazing amount of sound for its size.

I've had two of these amps for about 1-1/2 years - they seem totally solid.

Been playing more than 20 years, all sorts of genres, but mostly alt rock now.

If you're looking for a practice amp that doesn't have a bunch of crappy on-board FX and modeling, this is an incredible bargain - it is what it is, and it's very good. I would replace these in a minute -easy to transport, and easy to get good sound out of them.

built in early 2006. dark grey cover, red grill, red control panel.
solid state, 15 watts, single channel, 8in speaker, open back cabinet
gain,level,bass,mid,treb, rca jacks for recording or playing along.
headphone jack, VERY COOL retro look and sound.

plenty loud enough for home practice. would not work for the world tour.

i'm using it with an ovation acoustic/electric. very cool sound.
no particular style, (still learning) no buzz or hum. with a little tweeking, it sounds like an acoustic amp, nice clean, crisp sound.

can get a little harsh if the gain is set too high. but keep it around 3-4 and it makes that classic blues growl.

haven't had long. too soon to tell. would never gig with it, practice
amp, hello?

hope to have a long time.

never dealt with them, one year warranty, hopefully won't need it.

great little practice amp. best overall value for price and features.
compared it to many other small amps. kept going back to this one.
if lost or stolen, would have to hurt somebody, i mean get another
one just like it.

no bells or whistles just good solid performance.

It has all you need for a practice amp..
15 Watts.
gain, level, bass, mid, treble, power, and a power light.
headphone jack and rca type in/out jacks For recording or listining to a cd player?
8in speaker. dk.grey leatherette covering. (possibly a nauga died for this naugahide covering?) it looks retro.
one channel its a practice amp, dont try and compaire it to ya marshall or your carvin legacy.

It is surprising how good this sounds, for the price you cant beat it.
It only has one channel but it is a practice amp.
the tone knobs are quite responsive, and actualy effect the sound, great at this price.
more bass than I expected. from a small 8in speaker.
It is quiet when your not playing, no hum or hissing.
A good complement to my tube amp, its warm and full of depth even at lower volumes,
I used my 61 SG ri, and a Steini w/emg's and it brings out the best of both.
the gain sounds believe-able, and if ya rollback the vol or pick softer it responds. lay into it and it growls like it should.

dont know just gotit

never delt w/em.
1yr warr. hope i dont need it.

Cool vintage vibe. sounds good for a practice amp.
cant compare to a 2x12 tube ,
it blows other amps away at this level.
I would buy it again.

GO AND BUY IT NOW!

i bought it brand new off a guy on e bay .it has all the knobs you need . bass , treble , etc... no channel switching . does have rca jacks for tape in and out .its a soild state amp .

to be honest , it does sound not very good .but , i play trough a old fender super reverb and i have a bad cat black cat .so with that said , i would not gig with this amp ( dont think it was made for that anyway )but it is good for practice . ( which it was made for )i had to turn the treble ALL the way down . and i like treble , but it was too much on this amp.the gain is ok .

i have had it for about 3 months . so far , so good.

its a good practice amp , keep that in mind .its a soild state amp , NOT an old tube amp . so its not going to sound as good as that old super reverb or deluxe or etc....

Made 2004. Excellent little retro-styled practice combo with copper coloured speaker mesh porthole and whale grey naugahyde covering, red control panel. Single channel, volume and gain, headphone jack, rca in and out, bass middle and treble controls. No frills, no nonsense.

I use this amp for practice with a year 2000 Mexican Standard Fender Strat. The amp is very quiet with no hiss, and the speaker reproduces the sweet strat tone as good as any bigger amp. Turning up the gain gives a nice overdriven tone. I play mainly jazz and melodic lead, and this little amp is really superb for playing at home, because it delivers the tone without annoying the neighbours.

I haven't had it long. I've had no problems so far, and I'm not anticipating any. It sits in the corner of my dining room, and it's not going on any stadium tours that's for sure.

I've dealt with Behringer's UK team for advice on getting the best out of my BX1200 bass combo. They're a helpful bunch, and they respond quickly.

I bought this new at the last minute in an e-bay auction and it's one of the best bargains I've ever had. I have a number of combos. This one sits next to my Roland ST100 in my dining room, and I use it more because it doesn't annoy the trouble and strife. I heartily recommend this little fellow as an effective and simple practice amp with high quality tone.

I've had mine for a year. The thing I love about this amp is the quality of design for the price range. In this price range, it hasn't started any fires. No other amp I've been able to find for as cheap as I got this one can make that claim. It has some knobs. They move around and change the sound. I do like the overdrive on this model alot. It's simple, easy, and sounds nice enough for sixty bucks.

I use PAF style humbuckers with my own trademark shielding on an epiphone special. I play just about anything from indie/punk to Elvis to finger-picked classical. The amp sounds like what it is, and the best I could find for the price. Sure, it ain't the Brian May Vox Amp, but who here has money to throw at hobbies like they do at women?

It hasn't broken once. I've taken it apart and put it back together just for fun and it still works great.

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. I don't know. Never talked to them.

I've been playing for the time that I've had this amp. It's my first. I'm in no hurry to upgrade. This one does the job I need it to do for such a low cost, I feel no need to upgrade. Look, when I can shred like Vai, I'll look into one of his Carvins. Until then, I need to work on my hands. That's what this amp lets me work on. It has just enough versatility to allow me to improve my fingers.

You can read the features in the review below.
In one sentence solid state, practice amp with headphones out. Has enough features for a practice amp.

I havent purchased this, but I played couple of times with it in the local store.
Practice amp with 8" speaker for 70$ which actually sounds good both clean and distorted, is loud enough for doing low volume jams with your friends - you gotta be kiddin' me!
But there it is. It has amazingly good sound for such a small solid state and cheap amp. Clean is good enough /I am not a lot of clean player/. You can get great overdriven and especially distorted sounds when the amp is pushed hard enough. BUT it is a practice amp. You cant expect 2000$ Messa/Boogie 3,4,5,<whatever> dimensional sound from it.
For what is it it sounds quite acceptable. Great for hard-rock, even some heavy-metal sounds. Because clean sound is good enough, when you put a decent distortion pedal in front of it, it handles it very good. And you cant get even more distorted sounds. Yeah, it doesnt have too much bass, but it is just an 8" speaker, hey.

I have some Behringer stuff. Never failed on me.

N/A

I've been playing for some 16 years and owned this and that. I have 6 guitars, Marshall tube amp, some old-but-gold Dynacord tube combo and a bunch of other effect units and preamps /Koch Pedaltone, H&K Tubeman , a Boss GT6 and so on/.
I can say that this amp has great value for the money and for what is it.