ZEN Amps
Well-known member
I don't know much about these amps, what's the deal? Not a lot of talk about them, so let's talk.
Mark Skid
Well-known member
I plugged into one briefly. I remember that it had a great clean tone. The gain side was somewhat undefined. Whether or not this is normal for the amp, I do not know? It was a used amp.
BSRIAudio
Active member
I used one for a year or so in 2012 after playing one at Rudy's in NYC in college a decade earlier and thinking it was the best amp ever. They have a lot of flexibility but I remember thinking it sounded very inconsistent. Some nights I would love it and other nights I would hate it. I keep thinking about trying a Tre or finding a KR7 to play for a bit but I've yet to bite the bullet.
stephen sawall
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
I like the Rivera amps. This one is more in the Marshall and Fender family from what I remember.
Ventura
Well-known member
Great amps - the name and their following alone give them them the street cred they need - only played a couple - but one thing for sure - they sound best LOUD... Not this pipsqueak MV nonsense - crank that shit up - let it breathe... Ya, nice amps!!!
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Ok thanks guys. Yeah I've heard they're nice amps but down under I've not seen many at all, and they don't seem very flavour of the month, whatever that means.
There's some dude selling one 'local' to me, a mere 1400km. Thinking about buying it just to try, quite curious.
There's some dude selling one 'local' to me, a mere 1400km. Thinking about buying it just to try, quite curious.
ZEEGLER
Well-known member
I have lots of amps but when I play out, I use my Knucklehead II. It just cuts through the mix like nothing else. It's also massively versatile. Mine is the EL34 version.
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Nice. Heavier stuff?
ZEEGLER
Well-known member
No, not really. The heaviest stuff we do in this band is some Alice in Chains, but I could definitely dial in the KII for heavier tones. It does benefit from a boost in front to tighten things up a little.
ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Ok cheers - I might reach out to the seller. By all reports they are sturdy and well made, always nice to hear.
ZEEGLER
Well-known member
Oh yes. The phrase "built like tanks" very much applies here. I've owned all kinds of amps, and I don't think any of them were built quite as solidly.
PDC
Well-known member
I think I posted this anecdote in another thread a while back. I played a local show some time ago with a couple of other bands and one of the guitarists in one of the bands had a Rivera head - I wish I knew which model. His tone was just searing. So much gain - but all of it was tight and translated perfectly through the PA. I chatted with him briefly after his set - no pedals or boosts - all amp. He was a very good player - which helps - and he definitely had the best tone of any guitarist that night.
