Opinions: Rivera Jake or Black Pearl 2x12

[InGodWeTrust]

Have a chance to pick up both for about the same. ($1000 ) The Black Pearl is new. I'd Like opinions Pro's and Cons. I Play original music and tone pallette I need is Kinda...Robin Trower ...Eric Johnson....Phil Keaggy...Kansas
Thanks

[02Singlecut]

RIVERA!!!!! and if you decide on the other PM me ?

[riverastoasters]

I don't know about the Black Pearl but if it can hang with the Jake it must be a very good amp.

[highgeer]

Rivera; It's not a fair fight.


Mike

[Deaj]

Another nod for the Jake - fantastic amp!

[Miles]

I have the advantage of owning the Black Pearl and I also owned a Rivera for a while. Tone is going to be different as both amps are different voicings. The black pearl is definitely aimed to be more in the Vox department and the Rivera in the Fender camp. The Black Pearl wins by far in the touch sensitive and response department, where the Rivera felt like a lot duller when it came to response. I sold the Rivera and I'm nuts about my Genz Benz as it has some of the best cleans to come out of an amp. However, Riveras are great amps, just not as lush as I'd like. If you're after that prototypical rock tone, it's the Rivera. If you're after that garagey sludgy, yet very articulate and warm overdrive, the Black Pearl just owns it.

My vote goes for the Black Pearl.

[ruger9]

Just to balance out the "I vote Rivera even tho I've never played a Black Pearl" camp...

I vote Black Pearl (even tho I've never played a Rivera)

[Miles]

Originally Posted by ruger9

Just to balance out the "I vote Rivera even tho I've never played a Black Pearl" camp...

badum chsshhh!! Good one.

Both amplifiers are pretty different.

[78tsubaki]

I own a Jake.
That amplifier is voiced just right for classic R&R and it can get into some more modern sounds too. Jay Graydon was picky when he helped Paul voice it.
The cleans are amazing. I always joke that it is like a black face in a brown cab.

[phatster]

I'm lovin the Pearl....I like an amp to first offer cleans then the crunch.This amp delivers in Spades!!

[1973Marshall]

How do the RAKE and JAkE differ?

sorry if derailed

[78tsubaki]

Jake is the 1-12 combo, Rake Reverb is the head version of the same amplifier. Only difference that I know of. I have the Jake for grab and go (Im old and I like to keep it simple) The Rake is a great head and Rivera came out with a 2-12 matching cab. I have seen a THD cab that would also match great.
Rake had two versions Rake and Rake Reverb. Both have their following.

[Dale]

Genz Benz to me.

[InGodWeTrust]

Thanks for the input guys......anyone else?

[lanesmat]

Since the GB is a spinoff of an AC30 and I sold my well loved Jake combo to get an AC30, IMO Miles comparision is pretty spot on. They are very different amplifiers. For myself - I need a Vox tone more than a Marshall/Fender tone. They are very different camps, so I would base my decision on what kind of tone your looking for.