Rivera Amplifiers

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 29 Mar 2009 3:36 pm

How many of you guys have used Rivera amps for guitar or steel, and what is your opinion of them?

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 29 Mar 2009 4:56 pm

Well looks like Ray Devoe will be posting here! Darvin, I know Ray has used a couple of Rivera models latley and said it is just about the best sound he has found thus far.

Dominic Macrone · Post by **Dominic Macrone** » 30 Mar 2009 2:27 am

Sedona Light for acoustic / electric guitar. It is a tube amp, very small and light, 55 watts with a 12" speaker and a horn. Lots of tone control. It works great for me...and it has that tube "liveliness" that solid state can't replicate.

But, I do need to put a cabinet under it (or line out to my Steel King) to get a really big and warm sound. I am so used to playing through a 15" that I miss that big bottom when just playing through the Rivera. Of course, it doesn't matter live when it is miced through the PA.

Ray DeVoe · Post by **Ray DeVoe** » 30 Mar 2009 4:55 am

Hey Darvin.

I can get a pretty decent tone out of the Rivera if I use an RV 3 for effects. I am in the process of buying a quad of JJ 6 L 6 tubes for my head now to see if that improves the sound. I have the S 120 head which is mono in and stereo out at 60 watts per side.

My head currently has stock Rivera EL 34 tubes in it which most will agree is not a tube for steel applications. My S 120 is meant to be capable of switching over to 6 L 6 tubes.

I really was getting what I thought was a great sound until I bought James Moreheads Vibrosonic. This Vibrosonic is set up right and I must honestly admit that I have never had a better sound than thru this particular amp. James has toyed with tubes until he came up with a winning combination.

AS of this time, I would not buy another Rivera strictly for steel unless I get my current one to improve with 6 L 6 tubes. The Rivera S 120 does have some really cool features such as impedance matching controls but I have found out that I loose tone if I use the effects loop to run a TC M 300. The amp sounds much better with a simple RV 3 in line to it.

A positive for the Rivera would be that it will do "double duty" better than the old Fenders as it has the first channel set up with the gains and overdrive.

I would suggest sticking with a good OLD Fender amp if you want the best steel tube sound.

I will keep you updated if the 6 L 6's improve the Rivera

Ray D.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 31 Mar 2009 10:15 am

vince gill used to use two rivera amps on stage.

Bryan Rankins · Post by **Bryan Rankins** » 3 Apr 2009 12:02 am

Hey Darvin. I have played a Rivera Sedona for the last 9 years, and I use it for everything. It has a 12" JBL in it, and aside from playing with the preamp tubes to find exactly what I was looking for, it has been awesome. It has great clean headroom. If you want some more feedback, pm me and I'll send you my number.

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 3 Apr 2009 8:06 am

I had a Rivera Rake Reverb "Blonde" head (25/55 watt)and ran a Marshall 4x10 cabinet (1965a cab) and loved the tone but on stage (loved the look of the set up) but I couldn't get it clean enough. (Wasn't mic'ing it) The overdrive tube sound is first class.

I've love to have another one. Vince Gill always sounded great with his Rivera's.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 3 Apr 2009 8:58 am

Does Rivera amplifiers have anything to do with Bert Rivera, steeler with Hank Thompson's band?

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