I am in desperate need of a tube combo, and may potentially have the opportunity to purchase a barely used Rivera 5512 1x12 from a friend at a significantly discounted price. However, I'm not all that familiar with Riveras in general, and am somewhat prematurely set on a Twin Reverb (most likely '65 RI, unless I can find a vintage twin for less than $1200).

Anyway, I play a LP Standard, and am after a more-or-less Interpol-esque sound. I want headroom, sparkling cleans, and a non-plunky reverb. I'm not all that concerned with the dirty sound, as I use a Vox Valve-Tone for overdrive and am generally happy with it. Any advice? Oh, and while I'm at it, what about an AC-30 for the sound I'm after?

Take the Rivera.

They're designed to compete with Fender cleans and Marshall distortion... and I think they do an amazing job. I don't own one, but someday will.

The AC-30 will give you sweet cleans, the Fender will give you sweeter cleans... but I think if you get the Rivera you'll be able to ditch your pedal.

My .02.

I hav a twin reverb and if you're looking for an amp that trades nothing for perfect clean tones, then this is the amp for you. ac30s are now all chinese made

Fender twins produce amazing clean tones. If thats what you are looking for get it! If you are looking for somthing cheaper Ampeg VT-22's are amazing amps for clean tones. They are less expensive, a hell of a lot louder and in my opinion, built better with a lot of thought gone into the design. If you look around you can find twins for relativly cheap, i found a 70's silverface twin at the music shop for 700$ CAN, it is mint and all origional, there was only a stupid mod done to it. Someone got the great idea to move the standby switch to the front of the amp, It was a pro job, this doesnt affect the tone and could be put back. ( I am still debating whether or not to buy it) BUT anyways, look around a lot before you buy, I am sure you can find the amp you are looking for, for a reasonable price.

PS I also own a vox valve tone, 75' fender twin, and a VT-22.... They all sound good together, but i liked the VT-22 with the valve tone better! Just thought I would let you know...

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"these go to..eleven."

Guitars: Gibson L6 deluxe : Mann telecaster custom copy (beauty) :
Danalectro U2 : El Dagas humming bird acoustic

Amps:'75 Fender Twin : Ampeg VT-22 : Marshall JCM 800 50 watt : -Leslie 16 Cab (Fender Vibratone) : Sovtek 100watt : VOX AC-15 (soon to own) : Traynor champ (practice amp)

Effects:Electro Harmonix POG : Shin-ei fuzz wah : Vox Clyde wah : Fulltone Fulldrive 2 : Ibanez AD99 analog delay : MoogerFooger MuRF(with expression pedal) : Vox Valvetone : Electro Harmonix Big Muff, US : Electro Harmonix Bass Balls, US : Modded Boss SD-1 : Tokai Phaser : Danelectro chilidog octave : Digitech RP-6 (used with practice amp only) : Boss compresser... i think thats all of em ( not how they are set up, just a list)

you should be able to find a SF twin for 800$

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From time to time I send Dwight faxes. From himself. From the future.

Any opinions on the Rivera 5512? Would this give me a Fender-esque sound at all?

I got my fender twin '65 RI on ebay for $680. I'd be careful before spending $1200, they can be had used for much less.

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Epi SG - Arion Stage Tuner - Boss SD1 - Dano Fabtone - Dod Delay/Sampler - Boss GE7 (Snipered) - Ibanez Harmonic Delay - Fender Twin Reverb


www.myspace.com/treewizard2012

Test out both amps, then decide, you don't need our opinions.

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www.myspace.com/cityoflightscanada
Guitars:
Fender TC-90 Thinline Telecaster
ESP LTD Viper-400
JB/Jazz Set.
Amps:
VHT Pitbull
Marshall JCM 900 4x12
Pedals:Ernie Ball Volume Jr-->Ibanez SD-9 Sonic Distortion
FX Send-->-->Boss RV-2-->EH Deluxe Memory Man-->Line 6 DL-4-->FX Return
For Sale: Visual Sound Jeckyll and Hyde, Boss GE-7
Wants: Whammy 4

I bought a Rivera amp this past year and it's been incredible. I tried a bunch of Rivera amps vs Fender and Vox amps and for my taste, I got exactly what I wanted with the Rivera- the cleans are beautiful and the range of tones in Riveras is awesome. For my tele, the 6l6 powered quiana was a better choice for me than an el34 powered 55/12. But my Les Paul sounded better through the 5512.

I found the Twin to be a beautiful amp but it's LOUD as all heck. That means lots of headroom but it makes it pretty tough to push the Twin enough to find its sweet spot.

Just play lots of amps before making such a big purchase- that's the best advice anyone gave me. If you are interested in other Riveras, give the Chubsters a shot- 40W, el34s, bigger bass response, less headroom but loud for 40W and I thought they sounded beautiful with humbuckers. Non-Rivera- I think the AC30 is a pretty reliable bet for that Interpol, indie sound.

There is no way I would spend $1200 on a twin reverb. Buy it off of ebay for a lot less. I have a silverface Pro Reverb and I love the sound of it way more than the twin reverb. Interpol uses Pro Reverbs not Vox AC30 BTW.

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My Geeked Stage Rig (out of date)

i would personally go for the rivera, but try both amps out. riveras are amazing, and you may not be able to find one again for a great price.

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Carvin dc135C (down to d)
Fender American Ash strat (HSS)

Vox V847 wah
Boss tu-2
EHX small clone
Maxon OD829
(Keely ts9 w/ plus mod ordered)
(keely katana boost ordered)
(loop)
Line 6 DL4

Mesa Boogie F30