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I finally got the MV over 3 on the Rivera and let me say, this thing has some serious balls for a 1x12. That deep cab really puts out some low end. I was going to buy an Avatar extension cab, and decided I don't really need it.

This is a LOUD 40 watts. Not as loud as the MESA F-50 or my 1987X but it's close. The big diff is that the Rivera CAN do low volume high gain work unlike the other two. The pre-amp is voiced nicely by itself so that I'm still getting good tone at low volume for practice (I'm not fiddling with the knobs all the time trying to dial in a good sound...just set it and forget it). Not even using an attentuator with it, though I'd like to get a Dr. Z Airbrake soon.

Tonewise- All you players looking for one tube amp that can do great Fender-like cleans, Marshall Crunch and Modded Marshall high gain, without spending tons of $ on boutique amps, here's you're amp. I paid $1299 for this little thing and it's worth every penny and more, AFAIC. No, the fender cleans aren't quite as good as the f50, but I believe that is due to the EL34 tubes vs. 6L6. The mid notch really does get it into the Blackface or Bassman ballpark, and I think with 6L6's and a rebias it would do just fine. The Ninjaboost is really cool too: with the mid notch set for quot;Bassmanquot; sounds, kicking this in conjures up Bluesbreaker/JTM45/Clapton Cream-era tone.

I have to admit, I'd been a bit indifferent to the standard quot;crunchquot; on the gain channel. I've been using the boost engaged most of the time, and cranking down the preamp volume/gain. But, I totally changed my mind about this channel. Tonally this is something of a cross between a 70's NMV and a 800 MV series. It's not quite as quot;darkquot; as an 800 but has that low end quot;growlquot; characteristic. Gain-wise with a hot pup, it's a bit more than an stock 800, but less than say a 900 series. I found barely breaking up pseudo plexi tones to mid 70's Thin Lizzy tones all the way to 80's LA Metal tones. With a lower output pup, the range may not quite be there in the top end gain-wise.

The lead boost Adds QUITE a bit of gain, a boost to the high and low frequencies (but doesn't sound like it's cutting mids like the F50's did). This is the modded Marshall sound, and it's a very good one. Now I know why Schenker had Rivera mod his Marshalls in the early 80s.

Seriously this amp is VERY impressive, and I finally don't miss my 1987x so much. No it's NOT the same, but most quot;voiced like a a Marshallquot; amps I've experienced don't quite sound as Marshall-y as this Rivera does.

Now the Firebird. Heh. This ugly duckling is really growin on me. It has a couple of quirks that are taking some getting used to, e.g., where the pup selector is. And the tuners are kind of PITA (too close together), but after lowering the action and stop tail a bit, whoa!, this thing came alive, both in playability and tone. I really don't understand why people don't like the 498T and 490R pups. The 498T is a hot pup with extra upper mids (though not like a JB or BB pro at all), however it still has a fat PAF tone. It still sounds quot;Gibsonquot;. It may not have the most clarity, but In my case It's more of an overall lack of presence than actual string definition/clarity problems. Same with the 490R:great PAF neck tones. This is under gain. Clean tones are a little bit dark, but thats normal for a big mahogany body guitar with no maple. I'm not so sure I'm going to switch these out. They balance well with each other tonally, and are very quot;classicquot; sounding. I am not getting any feedback (that I don't want), or noise/micrphonics with them. No the bird is not as complex sonically as a Les Paul, but it's still great classic Gibson tone. Dad-gummit she's ugly, but she's got it where it counts

I believe the McCarty just had it's playing time halved and, Jackson who?

Sounds cool. I'll bet the McCarty sounds great through that thing!

Nice review, Jeff.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserSounds cool. I'll bet the McCarty sounds great through that thing!

NOTHING sounds *bad* through it...tho the EMG HZ's on the Jackson are kinda quot;mehquot;.

The McCarty indeed sounds fantastic...a very modern clear quot;hi-fiquot; type sound...In fact...it actually really sounds great for quot;shredquot; believe it or not. That neck PUP with the lead boost is somethin else


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyNice review, Jeff. You missed the first one I believe my friend!

Thanks for the advice on the Riveras, I hate to admit it , but overall this thing is much quot;sweeterquot; than the F50...the only thing the MESA has over it is the clean channel...that still is the best I've ever heard...put that clean channel w/ the Chubsters gain channel and I'd have everything I could ask for.

Sweet, I am jonesing for a Head to compliment my modded Marshall Combo, and Rivera is one on my watch list, along with Two Rock, Bogner, Divided by 13, Matchless. I need to make more $$.

nice review man...the chubster is definitely an awesome amp!!!

just out of curiousity, did you try the Fandango or Quiana when you bought the Chubster...?! i love both of those and they come in a Head...i was just wondering how you thought they compared?!


Originally Posted by Jeff_H

I need to make more $$.

Heh..so do I, Jeff....so do I...

I don't believe it comes in a head version, but I have a feeling the Chubster is just R-series quot;gutsquot; in the deep quot;Chubsterquot; cab (correct me if I am wrong Ben). Those are available in head versions if I'm not mistaken.


Originally Posted by Hossnice review man...the chubster is definitely an awesome amp!!!

just out of curiousity, did you try the Fandango or Quiana when you bought the Chubster...?! i love both of those and they come in a Head...i was just wondering how you thought they compared?!Hey Hoss..thanks

I tried the Fandango several months back and honestly it was not my cup of tea. It had a more modern tone on the gain channel I really did not care for. The R series is more similar to the Chubster (see above), and I think the Knucklehead is like an R series with the added third modern gain channel the Fandango sports (again, correct me if I am wrong Ben)

I have not even *seen* a Quiana, so I cannot help you there

Glad you like the Chubster.
I was wondering if you tried the F30 and know how it handles the lower volumes? I'm pondering about this amp.