Rivera Amps - What's the deal?
Odin Mattes
think it was a Fifty-Five Twelve or something like that. It sounded good,
even better thru a Fender Tonemaster 2x12 cabinet. My question is, what's
with the different Rivera amp models? I hear about 20 different models
talked about and can't figure out what the differences are. Most music
stores around here will only have maybe 2 models in stock to play, so I
can't check out the whole line. What are your opinions of these amps. I
thinking about a 2 channel head or combo, around 40-60 watts.
--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on
what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed
lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin
planks...@my-deja.com
channel amps, with a footswitchable boost on each channel. Channel one
is like a good high gain Marshall, and channel two is more of a Fender
sound. Channel two can be voiced like a bassman, or a blackface sound.
Pretty cool. The boost on both channels cannot be adjusted for level,
which is a pain sometimes. Almost all of their designs have this basic
design.
Some of their amps have a focus control, which tightens or loosens up
the sound a bit. Most are el-34 powered, but they are now adding more
6l6 based designs.
I have gigged with the r series amps (like the one you played), and
they were great, except for being a little thin in the bass area. Add
an extension cabinet, and it thickens up quite a bit.
They recently have added 3 channel amps to their line, which I haven't
heard yet, but want to. I own a "Suprema" model, which is like the 55
watter you played, with a little more gain, a sealed back cab, and
weighs a friggin' ton. I'm happy with it, but I just bought it 6 months
ago, and right after I got it they announced their 3 channel amps. Damn!
Isn't that the way it goes nowadays? As soon as you buy something,
something else better comes along?
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Philip J. Bergeron
gain, and the cabinet is bigger. The bigger cabinet gives a lot more low
end - my bass player asked me if it was a 2x12 combo!
They do have a lot of different models, but they do share many features.
IMHO, all of the amps they make sound great (except the Bonehead - I didn't
like that one). Good sound, well built, great customer support.
Jack A. Zucker
sounds to boot. I recently went back and forth between it and the Mesa
Nomad. I ended up choosing the Nomad. I think the R55 is a tad more
versatile and has a better jazz tone but the Rivera probably has a better
SRV tone.
Jaz
--
Jack A. Zucker
Cleveland, OH US
email: j...@jackzucker.com
web: http://www.jackzucker.com
Ben Jammin
Jack A. Zucker wrote in message ...
>I love the R55. I think it out-fenders the new fenders and has many more
>sounds to boot. I recently went back and forth between it and the Mesa
>Nomad. I ended up choosing the Nomad. I think the R55 is a tad more
>versatile and has a better jazz tone but the Rivera probably has a better
>SRV tone.
>
>Jaz
Your last sentence confuses me...as it seems to address ONLY the Rivera.
Is it the Nomad 55 that has the better jazz tone ?
Odin Mattes
> I have a Jake Combo, whick is a lot like the R-55, except a little more
> gain, and the cabinet is bigger. The bigger cabinet gives a lot more low
> end - my bass player asked me if it was a 2x12 combo!
So if I got a Jake combo I wouldn't be missing any of the features from the
R55? The Jake is an upgrade from the R55? Are the tonal qualities the
same? I'm looking for (1) great tone and (2) versatility. Mostly southern
rock, classic rock, some hard rock, some country.
Jack A. Zucker
news:#f0rzqjq$GA.232@cpmsnbbsa03...
Oops, I meant the Nomad is more versatile and has a better jazz tone. My
archtop sounds wonderful through the Nomad whose clean channel sounds like a
great Fender without the muddyness. The Rivera sounds a little scooped and
the jazz tones don't sound very nice with it...The Rivera got a really nice
SRV tone. The Nomad's is nice too but not quite as good for the SRV thing.
TJSTRAT
>R55? The Jake is an upgrade from the R55? Are the tonal qualities the
>same? I'm looking for (1) great tone and (2) versatility. Mostly southern
>rock, classic rock, some hard rock, some country.
I think you'll like the Jake for this mix. I go between mine and a Mesa Mark
III, but for relative portability and ease of duialling in a tone, the Jake is
very good. The boosts aren't controllable, but I've sent mine in for a mod to
have that changed. great sounding amp.
TJS
"Even a dog can shake hands." - Warren Zevon
planks...@my-deja.com
> So if I got a Jake combo I wouldn't be missing any of the features
from the
> R55? The Jake is an upgrade from the R55? Are the tonal qualities
the
> same? I'm looking for (1) great tone and (2) versatility. Mostly
southern
> rock, classic rock, some hard rock, some country.
>
>
The Jake will cover all those tones very well. It has all the features
of the r55, plus some not on the r55. The bigger cabinet does make a
huge difference. If I were considering getting a Rivera, I would hold
out for one of their new Knucklehead models. It will have 3 channels
with a boost for each, Footswitchable reverb with dual reverb controls,
selectable power of 100,50,25, or 12 watts, and some more stuff I can't
remember. Go to rivera.com, click on news and scroll down til you see
new products, and you can read about it there.. I've heard from people
that these are the best amps they've made so far.
Odin
<planks...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:8dng9c$vi6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
planks...@my-deja.com
the 100 watt version. Don't quote me on that. If that's the case,
stores will probably let them go for around $1100 and $1300.
In article <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>,
Ben Jammin
Odin wrote in message <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>...
>That sounds like my kinda amp...I wonder how much $$$
>
about 1700
Jack A. Zucker
>
> Odin wrote in message <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>...
> >That sounds like my kinda amp...I wonder how much $$$
> >
>
>
> about 1700
>
>
amp!
Ross M Stites
>"Ben Jammin" <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:#Fc7e47q$GA.269@cpmsnbbsa04...
>>
>> Odin wrote in message <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>...
>> >That sounds like my kinda amp...I wonder how much $$$
>> >
>>
>>
>> about 1700
>>
>>
>OUCH! I'd at least check out the Mesa Nomad before springing $1700 on a PCB
>amp!
All Mesas are PCB btw.
Ross
Jack A. Zucker
"Ross M Stites" <stit...@amethyst.tc.umn.edu> wrote in message
news:8dqcuq$2fj$1...@amethyst.tc.umn.edu...
Yeah but the Nomad's $1100 or $1200 !
Jaz
Ross M Stites
>"Ross M Stites" <stit...@amethyst.tc.umn.edu> wrote in message
>news:8dqcuq$2fj$1...@amethyst.tc.umn.edu...
>> "Jack A. Zucker" <j...@jackzucker.com> writes:
>> >OUCH! I'd at least check out the Mesa Nomad before springing $1700 on a
>PCB
>> >amp!
>>
>> All Mesas are PCB btw.
>>
>> Ross
>Yeah but the Nomad's $1100 or $1200 !
I assumed the $1700 is retail, but if it's street price I'd definitely
search around. There are plenty of PCB amps that sell for that or more
though (Soldanos, Bogners, Eganters, etc.).
Nice to see ya around again,
Ross
El_Zorro
Jack A. Zucker wrote in message <4b1M4.9317$MB.2...@news6.giganews.com>...
>"Ben Jammin" <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:#Fc7e47q$GA.269@cpmsnbbsa04...
>>
>> Odin wrote in message <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>...
>> >That sounds like my kinda amp...I wonder how much $$$
>> >
>>
>>
>> about 1700
>>
>>
>amp!
1700 , MSRP..List. I'm sure one could negotiate a discount. Some Guitar
Centers (not all) carry
the Rivera amps.
Jack A. Zucker
checking them out but don't count out the Mesa Nomad which is a very nice
amp. As I said, compared to the Rivera R55, I think the Nomad has a much
nicer clean sound - Especially if you're using anything jazzy like a 335,
electric nylon string, synth, archtop, etc. The Rivera has a wonderful
blues/clean but doesn't have quite as round a tone as the Nomad. On the
other hand, I think the Nomad misses the SRV thing slightly. Close but not
as good as the Rivera. I haven't spent enough time with the Rivera's hot
channel to comment on that but the Nomad's 2nd and 3rd channels along with 3
separate sets of tone controls would seem to tip the advantage in its favor
regarding versatility.
Jaz
--
Jack A. Zucker
Cleveland, OH US
email: j...@jackzucker.com
web: http://www.jackzucker.com
"El_Zorro" <VIVA_E...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:#gC8MEFr$GA.232@cpmsnbbsa03...
TJSTRAT
>Centers (not all) carry
>the Rivera amps.
>
The Illinois GCs dropped Rivera, or were dropped. The Jake has a much better
tone to my ears that the Nomads, at least the 45s. And there's no signal drop
out during switching. I still love my Mark III, and I'm learning about an early
'80s IIB, but right noe the Jake is the main gigging amp. It ran about 1350.00
with tax.
Guitar Bum
shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy tones are
the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender Twin
sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.
Jack A. Zucker <j...@jackzucker.com> wrote in message
news:iRgM4.1161$Hc7....@news4.giganews.com...
Jack A. Zucker
news:20000422195904.09602.00003072@ng-> The Illinois GCs dropped Rivera, or
were dropped. The Jake has a much better
> tone to my ears that the Nomads, at least the 45s. And there's no signal
drop
> out during switching. I still love my Mark III, and I'm learning about an
early
> '80s IIB, but right noe the Jake is the main gigging amp. It ran about
1350.00
> with tax.
There's virtually no signal drop out with the Nomads. Maybe a few
milliseconds but for all practical purposes there is none.
Jaz
--
Jack A. Zucker
E-Mail: j...@jackzucker.com
Web : http://www.jackzucker.com
Dave Blevins
<asleepon...@yourhouse.net> wrote:
> Yeah, Nomad. I hate the Rivera tone, it's a smelly brown tone, it's a
>shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
>stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy tones are
>the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender Twin
>sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
>other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
>condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.
Yup, that was a real positive, yet still cheesy, contribution to
r.m.m.g.
So now that you've slammed almost every guitarist and amp brand, what
*do* you like?
I suggest a solid-state Vox amp from the early 70's; that should be
right up your alley.
Dave Blevins
(Rivera R55 Owner;
SRV Fan;
Boston Fan;
Likes Rocktron and Digitech for some things;
Loves Brie and a spot of Gorgonzola occasionally;
Playing covers since 1973)
Odin
Dave Blevins <bl...@NOSPAM.xilinx.com> wrote in message
> So now that you've slammed almost every guitarist and amp brand, what
> *do* you like?
>
> I suggest a solid-state Vox amp from the early 70's; that should be
> right up your alley.
At least with the SS Vox he knows he will sound original...nobody else would
play that amp.
> Dave Blevins
> (Rivera R55 Owner;
Wanna trade?
Ben Jammin
Jack A. Zucker wrote in message ...
>"TJSTRAT" <tjs...@aol.comspamQdie> wrote in message
>news:20000422195904.09602.00003072@ng-> The Illinois GCs dropped Rivera, or
>were dropped. The Jake has a much better
>> tone to my ears that the Nomads, at least the 45s. And there's no signal
>drop
>> out during switching. I still love my Mark III, and I'm learning about an
>early
>> '80s IIB, but right noe the Jake is the main gigging amp. It ran about
>1350.00
>> with tax.
>
>There's virtually no signal drop out with the Nomads. Maybe a few
>milliseconds but for all practical purposes there is none.
>
>Jaz
>
Mesa does have their channel/mode switching perfected, I must say. Even the
little
Subway Rocket changes modes without signal drop-out or pops.
ryanm
>>1700 , MSRP..List. I'm sure one could negotiate a discount. Some Guitar
>>Centers (not all) carry
>>the Rivera amps.
>>
>
>The Illinois GCs dropped Rivera, or were dropped. The Jake has a much better
>
GC lost Rivera completely. From what I heard, he saw the
amount of care and attention given to his amps on the GC (Hollywood)
sales floor and decided he didn't want them selling his amps anymore.
They were dinged up, scratched, missing tubes, displayed behind the
Crates, etc., so he dropped them. Can't say I blame him.
ryanm
Jack A. Zucker
news:643F508855ED138D.E319E65E...@lp.airnews.net...
Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center, the largest
music store retailer in the world ? If he did, he's got no head for
business!
ryanm
wrote:
>Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center, the largest
>music store retailer in the world ? If he did, he's got no head for
>business!
>
Ask them. They won't tell you why, but they'll tell you they
are not a rivera dealer.
ryanm
Odin
Jack A. Zucker <j...@gwis.com> wrote in message
> Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center, the
largest
> music store retailer in the world ? If he did, he's got no head for
> business!
It may be true and it may not. However it does not necessarily make Paul
Rivera a bad businessman. As a buyer for a chain of high end electronics
stores I am familiar with these situations. Sometimes the manufacturer
(Rivera) gets all starry eyed at the prospect of a giant retailer (Guitar
Center) carrying their products and opens the franchise. The giant (GC)
places a big opening order, and life is good for the manufacturer (Rivera).
Then the giant reveals its true nature. Product turns are poor, because the
giant retailer has shit for salespeople who cannot even operate the high end
equipment (Rivera amps) let alone talk someone into buying it. Customers
don't like to spend big bucks with an inept kid who can't operate a standby
switch. Then the giant retailer (GC) is upset because the high end product
isn't moving, so they start whoring it out at low prices to get their cash
back out of it. This infuriates the smaller independent dealers (Mom & Pop
Music Stores) who have supported the manufacturer (Rivera) for years because
to match the giant's price they have to make lower profit margins. Plus,
Rivera probably sold to GC at a lower cost than they sell to Mom & Pop, so
they get screwed double. Then all the Mom & Pop Stores stop reordering
Rivera amps. Finally, the giant (GC) starts pressuring the manufacturer
(Rivera) for special incentives to move old product and asks the
manufacturer, asks them to take back slow moving product, starts abusing the
manufacturer's returns and warranty policies, etc...The deal goes to shit,
the independents won't buy Rivera until GC is cut off and GC's buyers are
telling Rivera tough shit. So the manufacturer does what he should have
done in the first place, he tells GC to pound sand up their ass and goes
back and tries to rebuild his reputation with the high end independent
retailers. Sometimes he can do it, and sometimes his product was so
tarnished by its stay in GC that the damage is irreparable. The only Rivera
on the floor at the Plano Texas GC on Saturday was a well worn floor model
Hundred Duo Twelve. I walked in and said "I'll take it, can I plug it in
first". The amp didn't work and nobody knew why. It was probably broke for
months but nobody cared to take care of it, probably a return from a guy who
bought it for a gig or session and returned it under the GC "30 day never
pay program".
Stratolux
>From: "Ben Jammin" PCollen
>Mesa does have their channel/mode switching perfected, I must say. Even the
little Subway Rocket changes modes without signal drop-out or pops.>
Horseshit.
JBac
> GC lost Rivera completely. From what I heard, he saw the
> amount of care and attention given to his amps on the GC (Hollywood)
> sales floor and decided he didn't want them selling his amps anymore.
> They were dinged up, scratched, missing tubes, displayed behind the
> Crates, etc., so he dropped them. Can't say I blame him.
>
> ryanm
Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center, the largest
Because GC, Ash, and other large retail chains aren't the best delivery arm for various boutique / niche market products. They cater to the masses with faster moving product and better gross margin. That's why there's still room for independent shops to make a living and make specialty products available to those who want them. Now the bonehead business decision was Gibson USA / Guitar Center going separate ways. Good for me though as I sold GC some high end Gibson product for good money.
Jack A. Zucker
> On Mon, 24 Apr 2000 17:41:29 -0400, "Jack A. Zucker" <j...@gwis.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center, the
largest
> >music store retailer in the world ? If he did, he's got no head for
> >business!
> >
> are not a rivera dealer.
>
> ryanm
I would think it more likely that with a bigger name boutique amp (Boogie)
along with Fender, Marshall, Crate, etc., they just couldn't justify having
Rivera there too.
Dave Blevins
Not with a solid-state Vox. An AC30 or AC15, probably - assuming it
hasn't already toasted itself to a crisp. Other tube amps - hmm.
Maybe.
Owners of 15w Matchless amps who need more (Scotty give me more) POWER
can contact me - perhaps we can work out a deal.
Dave Blevins
planks...@my-deja.com
> > >Sounds like a fairy tale to me. Why would he drop Guitar Center,
the
> largest
> > >music store retailer in the world ? If he did, he's got no head for
> > >business!
> > >
> > Ask them. They won't tell you why, but they'll tell you they
> > are not a rivera dealer.
> >
> > ryanm
>
> I would think it more likely that with a bigger name boutique amp
(Boogie)
> along with Fender, Marshall, Crate, etc., they just couldn't justify
having
> Rivera there too.
>
> Jaz
>
Boogies? We don't need no stinkin' Boogies. Guitar Center ain't got no
stinkin' Boogies!
Guitar Bum
It seems that every tone(amp and style) has it's applications and
musical contexts in which they sound their finest. Sometimes it is more
than just the ones you hear on recordings, sometimes it is not. Some amps
have one tone, some players have just one style. I'd like to have heard
SRV playing for Slayer through his normal gear, not that Slayer has any
tone, but just for heck of it. The Fender tone is a standard for a
particular sound, the "Fender Sound". Sometimes you just feel that it's
been all used up on you and it doesn't give you that same feeling, but this
is usually only true with processed sounds, and gear like the POD, Line6,
Tech 21 etc. As for SRV, he was like a time warp, he had his vibe going, but
after a while, it just began sounding like one insipid cliché after another
for the duration of the songs. Not to dis him, I really think he was great,
I once knew all his material off of Bowie's "Let's Dance" album.
I guess I am not a retrograde musician, and old sounds sound old, although
occasionally I get a deja vu feeling when I play through gear that's from
the long past, because you hear those old sounds from it.
The Rivera amps. I just don't like their tone at low output levels, even
with the preamp gains maxed out they don't open up until they're quite loud.
They're a great amp for playing with a lot of feedback assisted sustain, but
I can't be blowing everyone's ears out at rehearsal or at a club. Also, I
don't use pedals, I just play guitar to amp, so the Mesa would be my choice
for best tone at decent loudness. I think a cranked Rivera actually has a
richer, more complex tone, than a cranked Boogie, but at reasonable levels
you have a broader range of loudness at which you can get a good tone with
the Boogie. I suppose you could put very soft output tubes in the Rivera,
but that would make it way too muddy. Just have to go with the Nomad.
As for Boston, Schlocktron and Digiblech............Their sound/gear has
certain applications, but sometimes it just gets old rather fast on the
ears.
As for amps I like, I like the VHT amps, the Soldano amps, the older
Marshall amps, Bogner amps, I like some old Fenders, and I don't like other
old Fenders. Fender amps of the same models seem to come with either a
country sound or an old rock n roll sound. I tried about 6 of these old
mostly identical,(same models, same or different years), Fender amps with
4x10 speakers in them, and some were so vintage country sounding it was
amazing, and only one sounded like vintage Rock and Roll.
There are a lot of good amps out there, but there have been some expensive
pieces of crap too, like Bedrock and Sundown. Who knows how many of the
newest designer amps will stand the test of time? Bogner seem like they
will, Soldano as well.
Dave Blevins <bl...@NOSPAM.xilinx.com> wrote in message
news:u777gsk3ts19f38is...@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 14:13:12 -0500, "Guitar Bum"
> <asleepon...@yourhouse.net> wrote:
>
> > Yeah, Nomad. I hate the Rivera tone, it's a smelly brown tone, it's a
> >shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
> >stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy tones
are
> >the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender
Twin
> >sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
> >other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
> >condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.
>
> Yup, that was a real positive, yet still cheesy, contribution to
> r.m.m.g.
>
> So now that you've slammed almost every guitarist and amp brand, what
> *do* you like?
>
> I suggest a solid-state Vox amp from the early 70's; that should be
> right up your alley.
>
> Dave Blevins
> (Rivera R55 Owner;
Philip J. Bergeron
DC-10. The Nomad I tried (55) had no drop out either. However, the
Heartbreakers I tried all had this switching problem, which is the only reason
why I did not buy one. I have a V-Twin pedal that has a horrible delay when
engaging the pedal or changing modes. I recently aquired a used Maverick that
switches cleanly and instantly.
-Bucky
-Bucky
Gil Ayan
news:8e2uni$t6m$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
>
> Boogies? We don't need no stinkin' Boogies. Guitar Center ain't got no
> stinkin' Boogies!
Call Guitar Center in San Francisco.... They are a fully stocked Boogie
dealer.
Gil
Ben Jammin
Stratolux wrote in message <20000424183516...@ng-cg1.aol.com>...
>>Subject: Re: Rivera Amps - What's the deal?
>>From: "Ben Jammin" PCollen
>
>>Mesa does have their channel/mode switching perfected, I must say. Even
the
>little Subway Rocket changes modes without signal drop-out or pops.>
>
>Horseshit.
>
Sorry, Stratopolfuslux, but my Boogie channel switching is transparent,
seamless, and noise-free.
But that HISS in the rhythm mode is terrible...really fucks up songs like
"Lenny" etc.
Ben Jammin
ryanm wrote in message >>
> GC lost Rivera completely. From what I heard, he saw the
>amount of care and attention given to his amps on the GC (Hollywood)
>sales floor and decided he didn't want them selling his amps anymore.
>They were dinged up, scratched, missing tubes, displayed behind the
>Crates, etc., so he dropped them. Can't say I blame him.
>
>ryanm
GC is the 'meat rack' of music stores......Most are overcrowded and I've
seen
the likes of new VOX AC30's with ripped tolex on the floor. Rivera's stacked
in
with Crates (as you stated), and all sorts of instrument/amp abuse.
Ben Jammin
Jack A. Zucker wrote in message ...
>along with Fender, Marshall, Crate, etc., they just couldn't justify having
>Rivera there too.
>
>Jaz
Boogies are turning up like flies in the most unlikely places. Even the
little
Florida Discount Music in Melbourne is carrying Boogies, as is MARS and
Sam Ash(ole). I think Boogie is now going for market saturation...maybe
they
will start allowing discounting of their product (and increase the MSRP
accordingly)
Ben Jammin
Gil Ayan wrote in message <8e4sh1$j3h$1...@nnrp02.primenet.com>...
Yes, Gil..we know. The issue is why GC is NO LONGER a Rivera dealer.
Ben Jammin
Odin wrote in message <5Y3N4.1595$X55.1...@news.flash.net>...
The only Rivera
>on the floor at the Plano Texas GC on Saturday was a well worn floor model
>Hundred Duo Twelve. I walked in and said "I'll take it, can I plug it in
>first". The amp didn't work and nobody knew why. It was probably broke
for
>months but nobody cared to take care of it, probably a return from a guy
who
>bought it for a gig or session and returned it under the GC "30 day never
>pay program".
>
>
Ain't it GREAT.....!!!! Free use of equipment for 30 days and no questions
asked.
And now you know the REST of the story ...probably the same as
Polfus/Stratolux's
Larrivee acoustic deal....
Jack A. Zucker
discounting and price quoting
"Ben Jammin" <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OXTJMevr$GA.265@cpmsnbbsa04...
Gil Ayan
Ben, I understand part of the issue is the question of why GC no longer
carries Rivera. I took care to include to the particular quote I was
responding to, which is the one that said GC doesn't carry Boogies.
Furthremore, the two things mae be related: for example, NONE of the GCs in
Los Anggeles carries the boogie line, but you can find them at the SF store.
Could it be that Riveras are handled similarly, where they are carried at
some locations at not others?
I don't know whether dealing with GC is good or bad, but, for example, given
the volume of sales GC Hollywood has, I think it'd be in my best interest to
sell my product there if I were a manufacturer. After all, L.A. county
represents about 10% of the total population of the U.S., and probably a
higher percetange of total U.S. musical instrument sales.
Gil
planks...@my-deja.com
"Ben Jammin" <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Jack A. Zucker wrote in message ...
> >I would think it more likely that with a bigger name boutique amp
(Boogie)
> >along with Fender, Marshall, Crate, etc., they just couldn't justify
having
> >Rivera there too.
> >
> >Jaz
>
> Boogies are turning up like flies in the most unlikely places. Even
the
> little
> Florida Discount Music in Melbourne is carrying Boogies, as is MARS
and
> Sam Ash(ole). I think Boogie is now going for market
saturation...maybe
> they
> will start allowing discounting of their product (and increase the
MSRP
> accordingly)
>
>
I stand corrected, Gil. I didn't know any GC stores carried Boogies. I
do agree that Boogies are starting to show up at more stores. If that
is good or bad, I can't say.
As far as Rivera's are concerned, I agree with a previous post which
said GC didn't do a good job with the line. I don't think GC does a
good job with any high end product that isn't mass marketed. Same with
Mars, IMO. The GC's here in Atlanta stuck the Riveras off in
the "expensive amp" room. The guys who worked there didn't seem to know
how to work them, or more importantly, sell them. But they can tell you
everything you would ever need to know about the Crate or Line 6
modeling amps. So the Riveras just sat there collecting dust.
That's why I don't like GC or Mars. It's also why I think there will
always be a place for good high end stores, who cater to serious
musicians. We have a small store in Atlanta which carries Rivera,
Boogie, Bogner, Carr, Budda, Suhr, Anderson, G&L, and Fulltone gear,
and the guys there know how to work, and sell, all the equipment in the
place. Try to get help at Mars or GC. I'm sure most people have seen
the Lexicon processor/foot controller/power amp/speaker cab display
that seems to be at all GC's and Mars. Just ask one of the floor people
there to demonstrate it to you and watch as their eyes glaze over and
start mumbling a bunch of crap about how " It's not hooked up right
today. Come back tomorrow and we'll have it fixed." Yeah, right.
Stratolux
>From: "Ben Jammin" PCollen
>Sorry, Stratopolfuslux,
My name is Jason, Pat/Zorro/BenJammin/Sushi/etc...
>but my Boogie channel switching is transparent, seamless, and noise-free.>
No, its not.
>But that HISS in the rhythm mode is terrible...really fucks up songs like
>"Lenny" etc.>
That's sweet.
Peace,
Jason
http://www.geocities.com/stratolux2/
Anthony Robinson
Gil Ayan <ay...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:8e5423$k17$1...@nnrp02.primenet.com...
> sell my product there if I were a manufacturer. After all, L.A. county
> represents about 10% of the total population of the U.S., and probably a
> higher percetange of total U.S. musical instrument sales.
Actually, LA County represents about 3% of the U.S. total population, by
1999 Census estimates.
There are about 9.3 million people today in LA County, 274 Million in the US
altogether.
I'm a Geography nerd, please excuse...
-Anthony
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] Gil Ayan <ay...@earthlink.net> wrote
[]
[] > sell my product there if I were a manufacturer. After all, L.A. county
[] > represents about 10% of the total population of the U.S., and probably a
[] > higher percetange of total U.S. musical instrument sales.
[]
[] Actually, LA County represents about 3% of the U.S. total population, by
[] 1999 Census estimates.
Geography nerd
[] I'm a Geography nerd, please excuse...
See?
I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of the
greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country. I'll bet that
there's more great guitar players servin' fries down there than there is in
the entire state of Warshington.
Eh?
----
"And there's only two things made of wood, and one of them is wood."
-- Don "Don Put" Put
Remove X's from my email address above to reply
[These opinions are personal views only and only my personal views]
TJSTRAT
>
>My name is Jason, Pat/Zorro/BenJammin/Sushi/etc...
>
>>but my Boogie channel switching is transparent, seamless, and noise-free.>
>
>No, its not.
Once and for all: Has anyone else noticed a very obvious, albeit short, pause
during channel switching on the Nomads or not? It isn't present in my Mark III
or IIB, and my Rivera, in spite of using a similar din plug, lacks it as well.
Maybe I really am too sensative...
TJS
"Talk your monkey ass off." - Principal Blackman, "Strangers With Candy"
Ben Jammin
Stratolux wrote in message <20000425194137...@ng-md1.aol.com>...
>
>>But that HISS in the rhythm mode is terrible...really fucks up songs like
>>"Lenny" etc.>
>
>That's sweet.
>
No ...it sucks.
Ben Jammin
Gil Ayan wrote in message <8e5423$k17$1...@nnrp02.primenet.com>...
>Furthremore, the two things mae be related: for example, NONE of the GCs
in
>Los Anggeles carries the boogie line, but you can find them at the SF
store.
>Could it be that Riveras are handled similarly, where they are carried at
>some locations at not others?
Yes..I believe so. It all depends on the local market. MARS in Orlando
carries lots of
low and mid-line Fender amps, but you don't see any of the Professional
series or Custom
Shop equipment. The only re-issue I've sen there is a 65 Twin Reverb. I
would think, though,
that LA would be a viable market for GC selling Rivera's.
Ben Jammin
Not A Speck Of Cereal wrote in message ...
>So "Anthony Robinson" <ant...@stryder.net> was sayin':
>[] Gil Ayan <ay...@earthlink.net> wrote
>[]
>[] > sell my product there if I were a manufacturer. After all, L.A.
county
>[] > represents about 10% of the total population of the U.S., and probably
a
>[] > higher percetange of total U.S. musical instrument sales.
>[]
>[] Actually, LA County represents about 3% of the U.S. total population, by
>[] 1999 Census estimates.
>
>Geography nerd
>
>[] I'm a Geography nerd, please excuse...
>
>See?
>
>I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of the
>greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country. I'll bet that
>there's more great guitar players servin' fries down there than there is in
>the entire state of Warshington.
>
>Eh?
>
area carrying
high end, boutique, or otherwise esoteric equipment.
Ben Jammin
planks...@my-deja.com wrote in message <8e59sd$9mu$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
>
>That's why I don't like GC or Mars. It's also why I think there will
>always be a place for good high end stores, who cater to serious
>musicians. We have a small store in Atlanta which carries Rivera,
>Boogie, Bogner, Carr, Budda, Suhr, Anderson, G&L, and Fulltone gear,
>and the guys there know how to work, and sell, all the equipment in the
>place.
What is the name of this store, and where is it located at.
planks...@my-deja.com
It's Atlanta Music Brokers, and its on Alpharetta Hiway.>
Gil Ayan
"TJSTRAT" <tjs...@aol.comspamQdie> wrote in message
news:20000425211732...@ng-fz1.aol.com...
> Once and for all: Has anyone else noticed a very obvious, albeit short,
pause
> during channel switching on the Nomads or not? It isn't present in my Mark
III
> or IIB, and my Rivera, in spite of using a similar din plug, lacks it as
well.
TJ, in the case of the Mark IIB, and the Mark III's rhtyhm II switch, Boogie
used a relay there, which is much faster than the LDRs used in most other
Boogie amps. LDRs are not perfect: they are slower than relays, have lower
open circuit impedance and higher closed circuit impedance than a mechanical
switch (or relay), etc. However, they are -- almost always -- quieter than
relays. But, I believe this is the case mostly because companies don't take
the time to try and make a relay switching mechanism as quiet as it could
be.
I played Boogies for years, and my IIC+ has a small delay when switching
channels. However, it wasn't anything that I couldn't live with... Put it
this way: if you're recording, that is a non-issue, and if you are playing a
gig... there is no way anyone but you would notice. However, if you are
putting the footswitch through its paces at home, with a stop watch
measuring the switching response time... :)
Good examples of LDR in channel switching are: some Fender stuff, Soldano,
Rivera (uses relays only for switching chorus in their amps) and Boogie.
Examples of relays are some Fender stuff, early Boogies, Bogner, Guytron and
Dumble. Other companies, such as Carvin, use transistor switching and that
is a very viable option as well.
Gil
Gil Ayan
"Not A Speck Of Cereal" <Xchriss...@Xmsn.comX> wrote in message > See?
> I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of
the
> greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country. I'll bet that
> there's more great guitar players servin' fries down there than there is
in
> the entire state of Warshington.
Speck, L.A. might be only second to Nashville as far as ax slingers giving
you the line "Do you want any fries with that?" :)
Gil
Jack A. Zucker
See?
>
> > I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of
> the
> > greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country.
DUH - Can anyone say New York ?
Stratolux
>> > I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of
the greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country.
>
>DUH - Can anyone say New York ?
>
>--
>Jack A. Zucker
New York!
Hope this helps.
Peace,
Jason
http://www.geocities.com/stratolux2/
Not A Speck Of Cereal
[] > "Not A Speck Of Cereal" <Xchriss...@Xmsn.comX> wrote in message >
[] See?
[] >
[] > > I'm thinking this: LA probably gets quite a few points for being one of
[] > the
[] > > greatest (if not the greatest) musical hubs in the country.
[]
[] DUH - Can anyone say New York ?
Of course. Nashville too, as someone else mentioned.
You did get my point, though, yes?
Odin
Ben Jammin <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> I was VERY disappointed at the low number of dealers in Dallas/Ft. Worth
> area carrying
> high end, boutique, or otherwise esoteric equipment.
Speir Music in Garland...Rivera, Top Hat, Marshall, Boogie, Matchless
(what's left of them), Kendrick, THD, Diaz, Alamo, Fender Custom Shop, PRS,
Grosh, Gibson, Tom Anderson, Fulltone and all manner of high end effects,
etc...
Charlies Guitars...vintage gear
Rockville Music...vintage gear
KevC
A: Homeless....
"Guitar Bum" <asleepon...@yourhouse.net> wrote in message
news:h_HM4.1586$vx6....@news.uswest.net...
> Yeah, Nomad. I hate the Rivera tone, it's a smelly brown tone, it's a
> shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
> stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy tones
are
> the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender Twin
> sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
> other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
> condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.
> Jack A. Zucker <j...@jackzucker.com> wrote in message
> news:iRgM4.1161$Hc7....@news4.giganews.com...
> > $1700 list - OK. That makes much more sense. Yes, in that case I'd
> recommend
> > checking them out but don't count out the Mesa Nomad which is a very
nice
> > amp. As I said, compared to the Rivera R55, I think the Nomad has a much
> > nicer clean sound - Especially if you're using anything jazzy like a
335,
> > electric nylon string, synth, archtop, etc. The Rivera has a wonderful
> > blues/clean but doesn't have quite as round a tone as the Nomad. On the
> > other hand, I think the Nomad misses the SRV thing slightly. Close but
not
> > as good as the Rivera. I haven't spent enough time with the Rivera's hot
> > channel to comment on that but the Nomad's 2nd and 3rd channels along
with
> 3
> > separate sets of tone controls would seem to tip the advantage in its
> favor
> > regarding versatility.
> >
> > Jaz
> >
> > --
> > Jack A. Zucker
> > Cleveland, OH US
> > email: j...@jackzucker.com
> > web: http://www.jackzucker.com
> >
> >
> > "El_Zorro" <VIVA_E...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:#gC8MEFr$GA.232@cpmsnbbsa03...
> > >
> > > Jack A. Zucker wrote in message
> > <4b1M4.9317$MB.2...@news6.giganews.com>...
> > > >"Ben Jammin" <PCo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > > >news:#Fc7e47q$GA.269@cpmsnbbsa04...
> > > >>
> > > >> Odin wrote in message <0sSL4.1286$fK2.1...@news.flash.net>...
> > > >> >That sounds like my kinda amp...I wonder how much $$$
> > > >> >
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> about 1700
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >OUCH! I'd at least check out the Mesa Nomad before springing $1700 on
a
> > PCB
> > > >amp!
> > >
> > >
> > > 1700 , MSRP..List. I'm sure one could negotiate a discount. Some
Guitar
> > > Centers (not all) carry
> > > the Rivera amps.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
KevC
I had a Boogie MK4 and I tried for years to get tones I could appreciate out
of it....it never happened. Some things were never meant to be.
"Guitar Bum" <asleepon...@yourhouse.net> wrote in message
news:nacN4.1102$r21.1...@news.uswest.net...
> I just wrote that to be funny.
> It seems that every tone(amp and style) has it's applications and
> musical contexts in which they sound their finest. Sometimes it is more
> than just the ones you hear on recordings, sometimes it is not. Some amps
> have one tone, some players have just one style. I'd like to have heard
> SRV playing for Slayer through his normal gear, not that Slayer has any
> tone, but just for heck of it. The Fender tone is a standard for a
> particular sound, the "Fender Sound". Sometimes you just feel that it's
> been all used up on you and it doesn't give you that same feeling, but
this
> is usually only true with processed sounds, and gear like the POD, Line6,
> Tech 21 etc. As for SRV, he was like a time warp, he had his vibe going,
but
> after a while, it just began sounding like one insipid cliché after
another
> for the duration of the songs. Not to dis him, I really think he was
great,
> I once knew all his material off of Bowie's "Let's Dance" album.
> I guess I am not a retrograde musician, and old sounds sound old,
although
> occasionally I get a deja vu feeling when I play through gear that's from
> the long past, because you hear those old sounds from it.
> The Rivera amps. I just don't like their tone at low output levels,
even
> with the preamp gains maxed out they don't open up until they're quite
loud.
> They're a great amp for playing with a lot of feedback assisted sustain,
but
> I can't be blowing everyone's ears out at rehearsal or at a club. Also, I
> don't use pedals, I just play guitar to amp, so the Mesa would be my
choice
> for best tone at decent loudness. I think a cranked Rivera actually has a
> richer, more complex tone, than a cranked Boogie, but at reasonable levels
> you have a broader range of loudness at which you can get a good tone with
> the Boogie. I suppose you could put very soft output tubes in the Rivera,
> but that would make it way too muddy. Just have to go with the Nomad.
> As for Boston, Schlocktron and Digiblech............Their sound/gear
has
> certain applications, but sometimes it just gets old rather fast on the
> ears.
> As for amps I like, I like the VHT amps, the Soldano amps, the older
> Marshall amps, Bogner amps, I like some old Fenders, and I don't like
other
> old Fenders. Fender amps of the same models seem to come with either a
> country sound or an old rock n roll sound. I tried about 6 of these old
> mostly identical,(same models, same or different years), Fender amps with
> 4x10 speakers in them, and some were so vintage country sounding it was
> amazing, and only one sounded like vintage Rock and Roll.
> There are a lot of good amps out there, but there have been some
expensive
> pieces of crap too, like Bedrock and Sundown. Who knows how many of the
> newest designer amps will stand the test of time? Bogner seem like they
> will, Soldano as well.
>
> Dave Blevins <bl...@NOSPAM.xilinx.com> wrote in message
> news:u777gsk3ts19f38is...@4ax.com...
> > On Sun, 23 Apr 2000 14:13:12 -0500, "Guitar Bum"
> > <asleepon...@yourhouse.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Yeah, Nomad. I hate the Rivera tone, it's a smelly brown tone, it's
a
> > >shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
> > >stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy
tones
> are
> > >the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender
> Twin
> > >sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
> > >other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
> > >condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.
> >
> > Yup, that was a real positive, yet still cheesy, contribution to
> > r.m.m.g.
> >
> > So now that you've slammed almost every guitarist and amp brand, what
> > *do* you like?
> >
> > I suggest a solid-state Vox amp from the early 70's; that should be
> > right up your alley.
> >
> > Dave Blevins
> > (Rivera R55 Owner;
> > SRV Fan;
> > Boston Fan;
> > Likes Rocktron and Digitech for some things;
> > Loves Brie and a spot of Gorgonzola occasionally;
> > Playing covers since 1973)
>
>
Guitar Bum
A.The drummer wrote a song.
KevC <DELETEcy...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:n_MU4.4087$b77....@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Q: What do you call a guitar player who breaks up with his girlfriend?
>
> A: Homeless....
>
>
>
> > Yeah, Nomad. I hate the Rivera tone, it's a smelly brown tone, it's a
> > shitte tone. I hated Stevie's super cheesy tone as well. Couldn't ever
> > stand that long enough to listen to the solos. Other super cheesy tones
> are
> > the Boston sound, the Digitech sound, the Rocktron sound. The Fender
Twin
> > sound is kinda cheesy as well. People who try and duplicate the tone of
> > other players are also really cheesy, especially when done without the
> > condition of playing a cover of a song by that artist.