Which Rivera would you recommend for me?

[squeally dan]

I will be playing funk/dance/mowtown/R&B and will be using a clean to slightly dirty tone for 90% of the songs. Which Rivera would you recommed? I'm thinking I want it to be around 50 watts give or take.

[flogstrat]

Chubster 55 or a Quiana, I would think.

[edgewound]

Fandango if you're looking new.

R55-12 if used.

[squeally dan]

Fandango if you're looking new.

R55-12 if used.

I'm looking for a used amp. Why does that matter as to the choice? Is the Fandango the new version of the R-55?

[rongtr]

Chubster 55 or a Quiana, I would think.
I agree!! Bruce Conte, the guitarist for Tower of Power, is demonstrating a Chubster 55 on Rivera's website.

[eyeball987]

R or M series. Used you should be able to pick one up for $550 to $700.

[guitardr]

The Fandango (even with EL34's) is a compact bruiser with nice Fender-like cleans and all sorts of nasty ones. Great loop, EZ to service & rugged too.

[Matt F]

The Fandango (even with EL34's) is a compact bruiser with nice Fender-like cleans and all sorts of nasty ones. Great loop, EZ to service & rugged too.


I really liked my Fandango..:agree

[edgewound]

I'm looking for a used amp. Why does that matter as to the choice? Is the Fandango the new version of the R-55?

Mainly because the Fandango has a few more features that you'd probably find useful. I think the "vintage/modern" power switch would come in handy for anyone playing casuals. And...if you're gonna buy new, you might as well buy for the long haul. I don't like selling amps. I like to find a great one and stick with it.

The R55-12 is discontinued, but they seem to pop up on eBay, Craiglist....here...for anywhere from $500-$800, give or take.

I haven't met a competent player yet that has not regretted letting go of their Rivera. Versatility, super high value and support and, above all, durability/reliability.

You can't go wrong with a well cared for, used Rivera.

[squeally dan]

Can anyone compare the R-55 to a Fandango oor Jake. All the Riveras seem so simmilar.

[edgewound]

Can anyone compare the R-55 to a Fandango oor Jake. All the Riveras seem so simmilar.

I had a Knucklehead 55...someone broke into my shop and stole it....and only it. I loved that amp. You can hear it....albeit in limited fidelity....and how I used it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL2gr7wV3gM

BTW...it's running through a single EVM12L.

The tone is very similar to the R55-12, except the R55-12 has reverb but doesn't have the "focus" control which is a speaker damping circuit to emulate an open or sealed cabinet.

I since have acquired... from a customer that now regrets selling...;)a Rake Head...same circuitry as the Jake Studio...which is a little higher gain on channel one with more of a Marshall voicing on the higher end. R55/Knucklehead is a bit more compressed/bluesy sounding according to a Rivera tech I spoke with.

The Fandango would be more akin to an updated Rake/Jake but with the addition of a mid-scoop in the british voice channel one as well as the american voice channel two. Both also have the "vintage/modern"...basically a triode/pentode power switch.

I know it's hard to grasp the tone and feel of an amp via the internet....but what the hell...jus' tryin' help a brotha out.

Good luck...hope you find a gem.;)

[squeally dan]

DO you like the Jake better then your Knucklehead?

I had a Knucklehead 55...someone broke into my shop and stole it....and only it. I loved that amp. You can hear it....albeit in limited fidelity....and how I used it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL2gr7wV3gM

BTW...it's running through a single EVM12L.

The tone is very similar to the R55-12, except the R55-12 has reverb but doesn't have the "focus" control which is a speaker damping circuit to emulate an open or sealed cabinet.

I since have acquired... from a customer that now regrets selling...;)a Rake Head...same circuitry as the Jake Studio...which is a little higher gain on channel one with more of a Marshall voicing on the higher end. R55/Knucklehead is a bit more compressed/bluesy sounding according to a Rivera tech I spoke with.

The Fandango would be more akin to an updated Rake/Jake but with the addition of a mid-scoop in the british voice channel one as well as the american voice channel two. Both also have the "vintage/modern"...basically a triode/pentode power switch.

I know it's hard to grasp the tone and feel of an amp via the internet....but what the hell...jus' tryin' help a brotha out.

Good luck...hope you find a gem.;)

[edgewound]

DO you like the Jake better then your Knucklehead?

As a matter of fact...yes. It's just got "more"...more harmonic content in channel one.

But I never would've known that and it never would've bothered me had my K-55 not been stolen...The K-55 was the two-amps-in-one that I had been looking for. The Rake is just a little richer/more colorful sounding on overdrive.

Neither one has reverb, but that's not a great concern for me since I use Roland SDE1000's...one for delay, one for chorus.

[jzgtrguy]

I owned a Quiana Studio 112 for several years. It is a really nice amp 6L6 cousin to the EL34 Fandango. IHMO either would would you well. I retubed mine with KT66's and really liked it like that. Good amount of head room. great overdribe. Not a metal amp. You can get them pre owned (built like a tank) for under a grand.

Good luck.

Jeff

[squeally dan]

The Quianna sounds nice on the clips but looks like it weighs almost 70#'s. I think I'd rather get a Jaxe, Fandango, Chubster, R-55 -something at least a little lighter.

[jzgtrguy]

The Quianna sounds nice on the clips but looks like it weighs almost 70#'s. I think I'd rather get a Jaxe, Fandango, Chubster, R-55 -something at least a little lighter.

The Fandango probably weighs exactly the same. It is practically the same amp. No way around it they are heavy.

[Eric Pykala]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Venus 6.If I was looking for a Rivera with incredible cleans, this is The One. It's Class A, and is a really loud 30+watter. Drive channel kills too. I love Riveras, have owned many, and think this is their best amp, although I haven't tried its smaller brother the Venus 3.-Eric