I just picked up a Rivera R55-12. I am a newbie to tube amps and don't know much about the history of this model, but if there are any Rivera fans out there who know anything about this model would love to learn more. Has a single 12" Celestion, and two channels, one with "Boost" the other with "Ninja", plus Channel 2 has a "Bright" setting on Treble and "Notch" setting on Mid. Spring reverb. I think it is '90s era.
Rivera R55-12
- Thread starter SwailinA
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Rivera R55-12
The cabs are a little small, and reviewers often comment that the R55 sounds boxy. The Chubster has a deeper cab and sounds more open.
In my experience, admittedly limited with these amps, they sound stiffer and tighter than the Mesa Mark III and Mark IV amps I use. The Mesas, at least to me, have a more organic, spongier feel.
They can't be all bad...Vince Gill used the R100 212 100-watt version for many years.
Bill
The cabs are a little small, and reviewers often comment that the R55 sounds boxy. The Chubster has a deeper cab and sounds more open.
In my experience, admittedly limited with these amps, they sound stiffer and tighter than the Mesa Mark III and Mark IV amps I use. The Mesas, at least to me, have a more organic, spongier feel.
They can't be all bad...Vince Gill used the R100 212 100-watt version for many years.
Bill
Re: Rivera R55-12
Thanks Bill, I should check out the Mesas. Meantime there are many features on the Rivera that will keep me going for a while.
Thanks Bill, I should check out the Mesas. Meantime there are many features on the Rivera that will keep me going for a while.
kjrocks
New member
Rivera R55-12
I have the Suprema which is based on the r series like yours. I love it, it can do so much its not funny. All types of cleans and a full throaty OD channel that absolutely loves all kinds of boost and OD pedals. The fx loop has send and return levels that allow you use it like an attenuator for lower volume or just different ways to drive the output section. The boosts can be too drastic for bedroom playing but are actually great at band levels for jumping out front. I leave the ninja boost on all the time. I just like the fatter feel.
My favorite improvement way trying different speakers. That made more difference than any tube swaps I tried.
I have the Suprema which is based on the r series like yours. I love it, it can do so much its not funny. All types of cleans and a full throaty OD channel that absolutely loves all kinds of boost and OD pedals. The fx loop has send and return levels that allow you use it like an attenuator for lower volume or just different ways to drive the output section. The boosts can be too drastic for bedroom playing but are actually great at band levels for jumping out front. I leave the ninja boost on all the time. I just like the fatter feel.
My favorite improvement way trying different speakers. That made more difference than any tube swaps I tried.
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