Rivera R-55 vs. Fandango opinions

[Lt_Core]

I'm a Rivera newbie and have been looking into these amps, as a few used ones have popped up. I know the R-55 is discontinued and the Fandango is still made. Both have EL-34's and numerous push/pull, boost, etc. knobs.

Tonally, how similar/different are they to each other? I have an LP Studio, Strat and Ibanez (see sig). I play in a rock cover band and it seems like both Rivera amps have a lot of tonal flexibility. The one knock being the Ninja boosts add a lot of volume and gain, but it can't be controlled making it a bit difficult to adjust unity.

Fire away with any comments, opinions, criticisms, etc. Thanks!

[Lt_Core]

el bumpo....anybody have any experience with these two amps? Thanks!

[rbuono]

I have an R55 12 but have no experience with the Fandango. It is a great combo for what you describe. I can get everything from BF like cleans to heavily overdriven sounds from it (hard rock, AC/DC, Zep, not metal). It puts out plenty of volume for live work in clubs. The tone stack is very flexible and responsive. Great reverb, effects loop, speaker out, line out. Easy to transport. Built like a tank.

I find that the boosts are not too over the top volume wise if using them to step out on solos at gig volume. The boosts seem to interact with the master so that when the amp is working hard the increase seems less extreme to me (not sure if that makes sense). I agree that at lower volumes the boosts are too much. A common mod is to have a pot installed to control the boost amount for those who think it's too much. I tend to play with the boost on all the time on channel 2 and use it on channel 1 only when things call for a big push - I get enough gain there. I use channel two set just past clean and use the guitar volume to drive it. Channel 1 is for dirty solos and heavy rhythm.

I don't know how the amp takes to pedals - I can't get my Bad Monkey to really add anything.

I get nothing but compliments on the sounds I get from the amp. I've heard several other players through it and they sound great. My Les Paul (recently traded) sounded great through it and my Strat sounds awesome. My new G&L ASAT sounds great too.

Get one.

[Guitar Josh]

I have a 55 and love it. As the 55's clean channel is BF based, it takes 808 style OD pedals extremely well. It definitely likes it's own distortion channel best, but loves a booster pedal (like a SD-1 or Micro Amp), as you would expect from a Marshall based channel.

I have not found a fuzz that agrees with it yet, but that may be me.

Same with me RB, everyone who hears it says "wow".

[Mitch T]

I've had the R55 and have a friend with a Fandango. Although pretty similar in features, they're quite different in sound. Overall, the Fandango is more sophisticated. Not sterile or polished, but the overall sound has more depth to it. Especially in the drive channel, which is kinda harsh on the R55, the Fandango seems to be much richer in tone. If the Fandango is on the expensive side, take a look at the Clubster45. It's a bit more bare bone in features, but still sounds a lot warmer than the R55.

[Lt_Core]

Just watched the tone tutorial from A# music at www.rivera.com

Very impressive! Major G.A.S.!!!!!!!

Honestly, sounds like Fender cleans with Marshall crunch. How well does the Fandango take pedals?

[Terry Hayes]

I do not think the R-55 is discontinued.

To what has already been said, I would add the following:

1. Fandango has a deeper cabinet for more bottom end.
2. Long-pan reverb is much nicer.
3. Vintage/modern switch works well to get the amp working harder at a lower volume. This feature is very effective on my Knucklehead Reverb.
4. Fandango has pull "warm" feature for more bottom end and a fuller tone at very low volumes.
5. Mid "scoop" on channel 1 for more modern tones.
6. Fandango has more gain.

However, the R55 is still a wonderful amp. I could live with either. If money is not an object, get the Fandango as the features are useful and worthwhile but the R55 is certainly a great amp. As someone else said, the Chubsters are a nice compromise between the 2 amps as they have the deeper cabinet of the Fandango - otherwise, the Chubster 55 is essentially an R55.

Terry

[Guitar Josh]

If anyone doesn't like the bite their R55 is getting, change the speaker. I have a Eminence Black Patriot in mine and it's smooth as butter.

[stratzrus]

Originally Posted by Terry Hayes

I do not think the R-55 is discontinued.

To what has already been said, I would add the following:

1. Fandango has a deeper cabinet for more bottom end.
2. Long-pan reverb is much nicer.
3. Vintage/modern switch works well to get the amp working harder at a lower volume. This feature is very effective on my Knucklehead Reverb.
4. Fandango has pull "warm" feature for more bottom end and a fuller tone at very low volumes.
5. Mid "scoop" on channel 1 for more modern tones.
6. Fandango has more gain.

However, the R55 is still a wonderful amp. I could live with either. If money is not an object, get the Fandango as the features are useful and worthwhile but the R55 is certainly a great amp. As someone else said, the Chubsters are a nice compromise between the 2 amps as they have the deeper cabinet of the Fandango - otherwise, the Chubster 55 is essentially an R55.

Terry

+1

Terry knows Riveras..he is one of the top "gurus" on the Riveraheads forum.

stratzrus

[Terry Hayes]

Originally Posted by stratzrus

+1

Terry knows Riveras..he is one of the top "gurus" on the Riveraheads forum.

stratzrus

Thanks man! I try. However, like most everyone, I find that some days I don't even know which way is up with regard to what sounds good and what to recommend to someone else in the same situation. Just when I think I have it figured out, I realize that I don't. Just like the guitar playing

Terry

[Lt_Core]

Question for Terry: the used Fandango I'm looking at has new JJ tubes and a V30 instead of a G12T-75. What are the pluses and minuses with these 2 speakers in the Fandango?

[Terry Hayes]

Originally Posted by Lt_Core

Question for Terry: the used Fandango I'm looking at has new JJ tubes and a V30 instead of a G12T-75. What are the pluses and minuses with these 2 speakers in the Fandango?

I've never played a Fandango so I can't be too sure about my answer. However, the Quiana (same size cabinet) uses a Vintage 30 and sounds good. The extra deep cabinet dimension allows the V30 to sound good, even though this is an open-backed application. Also, I use a K212 cabinet with 2 V30s in it with my Knucklehead Reverb. It is a good match.

Rivera makes intelligent choices as to which speakers they put in their various amps. But even thoughThe G12T-75 is the stock speaker in that amp I see no reason why a Vintage 30 wouldn't sound just fine.

As to tubes, I tend to prefer the stock tubes (especially the output tubes) although my brother-in-law has an R30 with JJs that sounds great. I like Chinese preamp tube such as Ruby or the Groove Tubes. However, I think the guys who want channel 1 to be really "Marshally" like the JJs. Again, I don't think they sound bad - just not what I am after.

I hope this helps!

Terry

[Phil M]

I used to own a K-55. Actually, it was my main amp for 8 years up until this past spring.

Is the R-55 identical to the K-55 (other than the obvious fact that one's a combo and one's a head)?

[kjrocks]

Originally Posted by Guitar Josh

If anyone doesn't like the bite their R55 is getting, change the speaker. I have a Eminence Black Patriot in mine and it's smooth as butter.

What came in it stock? My Suprema came with a V30 and I swapped it out for Black Shadow and it made all the difference, much better.

[Terry Hayes]

Originally Posted by Phil M

I used to own a K-55. Actually, it was my main amp for 8 years up until this past spring.

Is the R-55 identical to the K-55 (other than the obvious fact that one's a combo and one's a head)?

The R55 and K55 are almost identical. The R55 has reverb whereas the K55 does not. More importantly though, channel 1 of the K55 is voiced differently and has more gain.

Terry