Rivera Quiana Studio 1x12 50 combo

2 channels, each with a boost function. If the boosts were level adjustable, features would be superb - its about the only flaw the amp has. Can run it on full or half power. There are also some other cool features, such as a mid scoop and presence. The amp sounds good, especially the clean channel, with the boost on all the time.

If it had the adjustable boosts, i'd give this a 10.

Wow. This just has fantastic tone, simple as that. I've tried lots of fancy 'boutique' USA amps but none of them had the whole package - both channels sound great at any volume (including bedroom). I use single coils and humbuckers (PRS) and sounds great with either. Its the all-round do-everything amp i've been searching for and it has killer tone to boot. Did I mention the tone?

The only thing it doesnt do is high gain, despite what you might read, but that suits my style. Great fat cleans and crunchy lead tones. I had a bunch of Mesa Boogies until now and none of them had the fat tone this has. Perfect.

Never had a problem so far and dont expect one. Build quality is superb. I've not had it long enough to give an honest rating but i expect it to deliver.

Sucks. This is the only area where i'm disappointed. There seems no way to contact them by email? They have a forum (currently unavailable) where you can ask other users questions but theres no guarantee the replies are accurate. I'd rather have the answer from the guys who make the amp.

I have the 2x12 and the 112 Quiana's - you would think being able to ask Rivera a question wouldnt be too much to ask. I live in the UK so calling isnt an option and I bought the amps used, so I'm not convinced the importers would be too helpful, even if they wanted to!

Great amp, great tone. The only improvement I could see would be adjustable boost levels on each channel, like the Mesa Lonestar special has).

I paid equivalent to $1700 US USED. Here in the UK they cost $3000 new which is big money. I would buy it new if i had to, but a used one in good condition is better value.

I just recieved this amp on January 11, 2008, so I am guessing that it was manufactured in '07. This is hands down the most versatile amp that I have ever come into contact with. As far as features go I won't repeat what other's have said. It does take sometime to navigate all of the feature's but well worth the effort. This amp is loud, clean and gorgeous to look at!

This amp can do just about anything that you want it to do. My search for the dream amp has officially ended. The clean sounds are just amazing. They are very warm yet articulate. There is no ice pick sounds to worry about. Channel 2 gives you the best Fender sound on the planet, if you would like it to break up a bit just turn up the volume and you have some serious blues tones at your disposal.

The distortion on Channel 1 is awesome. I use a Fender American tele, and my guitar has never sounded so good! I'm not a great player by any stretch, but the set up I have is too die for. I play for a church that really appreciates sound quality and this amp will have no problems converting the unbeliever's

Just got the amp so the jury is still out! Tube amps are what they are, so it is always a good idea to keep an extra set of tubes handy. This thing is built like a solid little workhorse. The craftsmanship is outstanding.

When I first got the amp I noticed that the reverb was producing a clicking noise. I called Rivera and they were very helpful. I am still talking with them so we will see what happen's...

I have been playing professionally for about 10 years. I started with solid state stuff and I slowly developed into a "tube" fanatic! I have owned fender, marshall, line 6, traynor and mesa products. I started my tube journey with traynor (YCV-80) and a Fender hot rod deville. I grew tired of these amps quickly, to brittle and sterile. I then bought the Lonestar special by Mesa. I thought that my journey was over, then I realized that it just wasn't cutting it any longer. I search the net and came across the Rivera. I order this amp without ever hearing and man am I ever glad that I did.

Before I bought this amp I was looking at the ENGL screamer 50, and the Fargen Blackbird. I am sure that these are awesome amps in their own right, but for me this is the best amp period. By the way I just love the sound of well crafted tube amplifier! I enjoy everyting about this amp!

If someone stole this amp I would be very sad, and I guess I would need to forgive the person that did it (after all that is the Christian thing to do)... and I would buy another one in a heart beat. I would encourage anyone serious about their tone, to give the Quiana a try, you will not be disappointed. I'm very surprised that this amp is not more mainstream than it is, I agree with the other post that this is truely a "sleeping gem". God bless!

Features are pretty well documented here. This amp has LOADS of features- and more importantly, all of them are useful. It seems like a ton of effort was put into this design. The Quiana is hands down the most versatile amp I've ever played.

I began my dream-amp search looking for beautiful clean tones, then versatility. I honestly believe that I found exactly what I was looking for. My roots range from vintage Chicago blues to classic hard rock to metal. I love to explore and listen to all sorts of guitar tones. I've been using my Quiana for 3 months in an original indie/alternative rock band. In a 45 minute set my guitar needs to go from Buddy Guy/Hendrix type tones, to Andy Summers, to Joe Strummer, to Edge, to Pete Townshend, to Tool-influenced areas. I only use an American Standard Tele these days, and the reason I'm able to cover all this ground largely because of the Quiana. This amp is appropriately marketed as a vintage-style amp. The vintage-sounding tones in the Quiana are really inspiring. But this thing really goes far beyond the Fender or Marshall thing people seem hooked on. It is really easy to find unique tones with this amp. The difficulty is narrowing down which ones you want to claim as your own. I've never played Metal through this amp, however, I do occassionally need tones that sound massive and the Quiana does that extremely well. For my tastes, the Quiana does thick tones better than anyone. To my ears, the Quiana's ability to maintain a musical balance between thickness and clarity is really unique. I find Channel 1 voiced really nicely for smoother clean tones- strumming or finger picking- textures and the like. I do not really use the OD on Channel 1 but it is fairly aggressive and well worth exploring if you need that sound- I haven't needed something that aggressive since I've been using the Quiana. Channel 2 (with Ninja Boost activated) is the side I use when it's time for my guitar to step away from being just a textural device and step into the "need to be present and lead the sound" area. Channel 2 is extremely rich harmonically and I just seem to hear everything more prominently when actived- the lows are fatter, the mids are edgier and the highs ring stronger. Since I play a Tele, there's no need for me to use the bright switch but the warm switch, focus, and presence knobs are all incredibly useful for shaping your tone. Oh- and I almost forgot the Reverb- it's really nice. I can't imagine a reason to buy a reverb pedal if you have this amp- it's just really really nice.

Haven't had a problem yet through rehearsals or gigs the past few months. It sure feels sturdy.

Never dealt with them

I've been playing for 14 years....obsessively for probably 10. I am fascinated by all kinds of electric guitar tones- even tones that many tone-hounds would find sickening. I use all kinds of effects ranging from handmade boutique pedals to cheap digital effects that completely alter my tone- but I use them for a reason! I love wide ranges of tones. My band covers quite a bit of sonic ground, I'm not particularly fleet fingered and I'm the only guitar player so I rely on big, dynamic, unique and rich tones to make interesting music. This amp is a dream. I play small to mid-sized clubs without any help from the soundboard- the Quiana is loud and it occupies huge sonic space. I adamantly recommend this amp to anyone looking for beautiful vintage tones and for anyone looking for MANY unique tones ranging from gritty to pristine. This amp is great for modern indie/alternative music, classic rock, hard rock (anything from Zep to Queens of the Stone Age), Blues, and Punk. I wouldn't put anything past this amp but from personal experience, I know it covers each of those areas better than just about any amp I've ever played. You can find pleasing tones very easily, but great rewards are to be had if you are willing to explore this amp- just take a weekend in the garage pushing, pulling, and turning knobs and switches. I don't think I've come anywhere near exhausting all of its possibilities.

One closing piece of advice- do not approach this amp like you would a typical 2 channel amp (Channel 1 clean; Channel 2 distortion). It just doesn't work that way. Play around with each channel seperately and explore each channel's boost functions- they are extremely different. The Quiana is so versatile, you really need to throw out most of the typical perceptions of how amps work. Play a Quiana for a while and you'll understand what I mean.

not sure the year,nice amp,i had the tubes changed one time ,i had stock ones in there to start,then i had 6l6 jjs ,i dont know if i like them,i have a traynor 40 watt ,it has sovteks in there ,i like those alot of people dont,if i put them in my rivera will i get that sound i have in my traynor?tons of power,i dont care for the dirty channel,i think i need to just experiment with different tubes cause my traynor gets better diry sound.

i have a strat with virtual vinage single coils and a gibson es135 with p 90s and a brian moore with duncan humbuckers.my style is funk ,blues, jazz, rock, latin ect.the amp is very quiet.the clean doesnt break up at high volume.the dirt is ok but not my kinda sound ,might be different if i change tubes

very solid,no problems

lots of features,solid versitile,reliable,cool tones, try the traynor 40 watt i like that alot better

This was made in 2002. Versatile, versatile, versatile. Clean and dirty channel. If you know about Riveras, they have the fender and Marshall sounds. This amp is used in many jams. Plenty of power. If not then it's miked. I love the 6l6 tube sounds. Kicks but.

This amp is mainly used with an Anderson Cobra-S. PRS 22 and 24 are also used. For Blues, Rock, Jazz etc., just superb sounding. It has alot more gain then the Rivera R55-12 I use to have. It's 50 watts and a loud one. Reverb is really, really nice. I really don't need effects with this amp it's so good but effects still have their place. I just use the effects loop. Cutting the power in half, 50 to 25 watts changes the harmonics. At 50 watts, harmonics = 1,3,5,7 and so on. At 25 watts = 25 watts = 2,4,6,8 and so on. Very sweet and warm @ 25 watts. The focus control can be adjusted to change the characteristics, from tight sounding to loose. On top of that, you can pull the knob for warmth if you want to. Incredably versatile. There are more knobs that you can pull for more incredable sounds. Enough said. I don't wanna bore you folks. Check out the amp. It sounds awesome. It's one of those amps that inspires you to play your best and not want to stop playing. I got to rate it a 10 because it's so versatile sounding and it uses tubes to do it.

I have been fortunate to own Marshall, Fender, Mesa/Boogie and now Rivera. I've had minor problems with all of them such as tube failure. If you play alot, that will happen. I assume Rivera will be no different. So I play with a back up when it comes to tubes.

I have dealt with Paul Rivera Jr. Super cool and very understanding of a guitarist's ear. Very patient too. That helps alot.

Of my twenty-five years of playing this amp inspires me to play with chills. Overall, it has everything. If you need more, their are always pedals out there. Just be careful what you use and avoid tone sucking pedals. As far as it being stolen,,, hmmmmm really don't wanna write about it!!! It's a great amp folks...

Not sure what year my amp was manufactured in. I purchased it on ebay about 3 months ago. This is amp is loaded with features. Plenty of flexiblily for the styles of music I play. Info from the Rivera Website: Extra deep cabinetry gives you the warm bottom end, and the sweet compression of the standard Celestion Vintage 30. Couple this with the spank tone of the 6L6?s, results in a harmonious blend of just plain outrageously good tone. The newest in our line of hand-crafted All-Tube amplifiers. 50 watts of sweet clean power with (2) 6L6GC Output Tubes standard, and a fat and bad ass tone when pushed. (5) 12AX7 Tube Preamp with 2 distinctly different sounding channels with their own 3 band EQ, ranging from the tweed of tweeds, to as brown or blackface as you like it. Footswitchable boosts on each channel, 6 spring "Hammond Long Pan" reverb, and a special Focus and Presence control for speaker damping and final high frequency EQ round out the tone. A Vintage/Modern switch on the rear panel allows the power to be cut in half and sweeten the even harmonics. A serial effects loop with level controls in provided to patch you into most any external effects device. A 3 Function (FS-7) Footswitch is included. The Cabinet is built of hardwood plywood, and finished in a rich ruby red Tolex with complementing Di-Tone beige grille cloth set Quiana apart from any other amp you?ve seen. A comfortably padded strap handle, rugged chrome corners, heavy duty rubber feet make easy daily transport. Front Panel is Silver nomenclature on a black background. Black knobs with white numbers round off the controls.

Cabinet Material: American Maple Solid Core Plywood. Cabinet covering: Ruby Red Tolex? Vinyl (Mine is Green). Grille Cloth Color: Vintage Blonde. Cabinet Hardware: Chrome plated metal corners, Vintage style Leatherette padded handle. Dimensions: 23.75"x 18.5" x 12" Weight: 65 Pounds.

The only thing that I would have liked is a switchable effects loop so I will take away a point for that.

In the sound category, this amp really shines. I have been playing on and off for about 20 years but have gotten real serious in the last few years. I went on a little bit of Ebay frenzy and bought and sold a few items in search of something that would fit. Went through a Fender Stratocaster Deluxe, American Telecaster Deluxe and a Godin LGX for guitars and a Mesa Studio 22+ and Peavey Classic 30, I also purchased a few Fulltone pedals (Tremelo and Fulldrive) I realy dug them but needed the cash for the amp. I currently have a PRS CE22 and use the current effects Guitar > Voodoo Sparkle Drive > amp. Effects loop >Boss TU2 > Analogman Clone Clone Chorus > Boss DD-3 Delay. Compared to the Mesa and the Peavey, this amp has so much more versatility. From clean to crunch, sizzling violin sustain to heavy overdriven gain, I am truly amazed and inspired to play. I am not an expert in some of the classic Fender sounds or the Marshall sounds that this amp boasts of but I believe that most of the press is true. I played through a Budda and a Tophat amp at Sam Ash and was leaning towards one of those or towards a DrZ just from reviews I was reading. I needed a combo amp that had great sound as well as alot of flexibility. After alot of research I found that there wasn't anything out there that compared to the Rivera because you get the best of both worlds. I play Contemporary Christian music but like to play a little metal and alot of blues. I use a Sparkle Drive that I just purchased recently to help with at low volumes when I need to push the amp a little harder. Other than the weight being an issue (65 lbs.) I don't ever imagine getting rid of this rig. One additional item is that I was going to buy the Chubster because it seemed to be in my price range but this came along at just the right time. I don't think that I would have regretted it although the previous reviewer definitely liked the Quiana Studio over the Chubster.

From what I have read and in observation of my unit, I don't anticipate any problems. Built like a tank and great looking too.

Called once to find out about casters and a cover. They were very helpful and I am sure that I would not have any problems getting issues resolved if something arose.

This is currently my only amp and if I needed another I would probably buy a Rivera R30-112 just for the portability. My tonequest for the time being is very satified. I would definitely buy another if this were stolen, although I haven't seen many cheap on the used market. I searhed quite abit before buying this. I tryed some others in music stores Fenders, Tophat, Budda, Peavey but bought this without trying based on reviews. Great quality, engineering (Paul Rivera), flexibility, and tone-tone-tone. I have no regrets. I don't understand why Rivera's don't seem to be more in the mainstream and noticed. Most threads that I have found that talk about them are very respectful of them but I think that they a sleeping GEM.

2002 Rivera Quiana. This amp is the epitome of versatility. I mainly use it in the studio, so I need one amp that can cover some huge sonic territory. The Quiana is it. All the general features, plus these: Focus knob that kind of dials in the low end and "tightness" of the sound, Vintage/Modern switch on the back for lowering the output power, push/pull pots on the "Fender" channel for brightness and/or mid notch, a volume boost on each channel for solos that also re-voices the tone.

This amp sounds truly wonderful on both channels, with both 'buckers and singles. I tried versus the Rivera Chubster and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I have owned the Fender for a long time. I went in thinking I might get a Chubster, so I compared them first. The Chubster blew the Fender away in terms of tone, both clean and dirty. However, I still wasn't sold on the Chubster. It just sounded too raw in the mids for me. Then I tried the Quiana. Oh my... It ran rings around the Chubster, and just made the Fender sound like a toy. It had so much more dimension and depth. It was just wonderful. Even now sometimes I'll just rake my pick across the strings to hear that woody depth it has.
It ranges tonally from everything to just about anything, great clean tubby jazz or sparkly Fender tones, great woody Marshall tones to '80's crispy crunch. It is very versatile. The only thing diminishing my tone rating is a tendency to be a little too bassy, but holy crap... it sounds good.
The reverb is absolutely the best spring reverb I've ever heard, hands down. It's smooth as glass, without as much "boink" as you usually hear. The reverb knob is also adjusted properly for a change: it peaks out at 50% wet/dry, so the entire sweep of the knob is useable, unlike many amps where you have all the reverb you'll ever use by "2". This gives you a much wider sweep of useable reverb, and much more control. Can't say enough about the reverb.
Also, there is absolutely no sound when switching channels. None. You can have a full out distorted power chord dripping with the reverb, and when you step on the switch to go to the clean channel, there are no pops or clicks of any kind. Just a smooth transition to clean tone.
Lastly, the amp is very quiet, even on the distorto Marshall channel.
Well done Rivera.

I've had no problems. The amp is solidly built, with good components. All the knobs and switches have a good feel to the sweeps and clicks, and just feel dependable. I'll give it a 10 for percieved dependability, but only time will tell...

No opinion here. Hope I never get one...

When you buy an amp (or guitar) in this price range, you're starting to pay for details. Rivera has looked after them well. Some have pined for adjustable levels on the channel boosts. I'd agree. However, I'm glad the reverb isn't footswitchable: I've always thought that was a wasted option. Don't change a thing about this incredible reverb. Overall, I found it to be the best I could get for what I do, short of something custom, and I'm very pleased with it.

This amp was made in 2001. I've had it for about six months so it's safe to say that its love, not lust. I would consider it quite versatile. It offer two selectable channels and nicely represents both the Marshall camp on channel one and the Fender on channel 2. I must also note that the amp certainly has its own character as well however. It has an effects loop. The amp is extremely flexible - in a useful way mind you. (The pull notch filter and pull warm feature literally transform the amp into a different, and equally great amp). The only things I wish it had were a switchable effects loop, and a parallel loop as well. I also wish that the boosts on both channels (phenomenal feature though that you can't find on many amps, but I want everything!)were adjustable. It is because of this that I give it a 9 for features, not a 10, even though compared to other amps it deserves an 11 for features (ya know what I mean?)

What can I say. I love it. The clean sound is breathtaking. For a 50 Watt amp it is loud and clean. I would say comparable to a Fender twin which is rated at more power. Sounds like a Fender wish it could sound. Can you say Fender with backbone? I use a Melancon Telecaster type (phenomenal guitar)with hum, single, hum pickups with every splittable combination. The dirt sound is wonderful as well. I put a Reverend Drivetrain (great pedal)on a totally clean channel two and get great overdriven sounds and I play straight into channel one with the gain on 10 for serious gain. I also tend to put a Everman RMF octave fuzz (very good pedal) on channel one as well for some outrageous fuzz tones. I tend to play music ranging from Garcia clean to Hendrix dirty. The Quiana spans this territory easily with much finesse. I wouldn't think this amp would be ideal for metal. It is not voiced that way. Also, you won't believe the bass that comes out of this 1 x 12. I have to tame it sometimes as I can step on the bass player. I could go on and on. This amp doesn't cease to impress me.

I can't say because I've only had it six months. Nothing has happened and I don't think it will. It reaks of quality so I'm not worried.

Wonderful people the Riveras. It's obvious that they love what they do. It's obvious in their products that lots of thought, musicality, and passion goes in. After all, Paul Rivera did name this amp after his daughter, and I'm sure she's got a sweet disposition as well! Have not needed service yet and don't think I will. I believe it comes with a one year warranty.

I have been playing on and off for 15 years. I own the Melancon that I mentioned above and I also own a '71 Les Paul Custom which now sits in my closet because the Melancon is so good. I also own a Peavey Classic 30 which I am selling. If it were lost or stolen, I would either re-buy this amp of look into Rivera's new Knucklehead reverb which has the features that I wished for in the Quiana(parallel and series loops, footswitchable loops etc.) I listened to Fenders, Marshalls, Top Hat, Bogners, Diaz, Vox and I fell in love with the clean sound of this amp immediately. With a little work and a few pedals, I have a drop dead distorted sound as well. Overall. The Quiana Studio 1 x 12 is a phenomenal amplifier

The amp was veritle and had a lot of features. Too many features! I dont own the amp anymore, but I'd rather have a less complex amp and something that did a few things good. The notch idea is great for switching between humbucker and single coil guitars. The Reverb on this thing was awesome though! I also liked the selector switch enabling you to go from 25 to 50 watts.

I used a Fender Roadhouse Strat, a '60 Custom Shop Strat with Van Zandt pickups and a Telecaster Thinline. The tele didnt sound as good as the strat through this amp in my opinion for my style. Im sure you could get some nice twangy country sounds out of the clean channel if you tweaked it right. Im a blues player though and the amp didn't quite fullfill my needs as far as tone. This amp has a 12" Vintage Celestion 30 speaker which I didnt like much, mostly because of how it sounded in the Quiana which is an open back amp. I tried a Suprema with Celestion speakers and it sounded so good in the closed back amp. To me, this amp was really nice at low volumes, but once you cranked the Quiana any louder then around 6, it got pretty muddy and the bass on it sounded really bad. I tried to crank the treble to level out the bass and it really didn't work for me. This amp is supposed to recreate the classic Fender tones, so I dont get why they put a Celestion speaker in it? I could have probably gotten this amp to sound a little better if I put a Weber speaker and some NOS tubes in it, but I the thing was already expensive enough, that I didnt want to take my chances with losing anymore money and getting something I STILL wasn't happy with. My favorite tones are those of Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Chris Duarte, Scott Henderson and Kenny "Blue" Ray. This amp did not get me anywhere near the blues tones I was hoping to achieve. I use a handbuilt MJM Blues Devil overdrive which I just love. It is based on the specs of the TS808, but it has true bypass, higher quality parts, fatter pots and it even has the same chip that was in the original 808's. This pedal with a strat plugged in, usually sounds bitchin' through most amps (even Fender Reissue amps), but for some reason it was making buzzing noises and sounded kind of midrangey with the settings on the Quiana I was using. Keep in mind, this was a lose, lose situation, because when I played clean I would have to keep the treble (8 or 9) up extra high and the bass really low (like on 2!) just to get it to sound decent for clean tones, but then when I wanted to use the Blues Devil, it made that sound thin and kind of compressed the tone quiet a bit. This was TONE FROM HELL! I hope I just got a lemon or something, because I was real disatisfied. I have played other amps that Paul Rivera built that I liked a little better. Im also never buying another amp with a Master Volume ever again - this was my first and LAST.

This thing was pretty solid. It weighed about 65 pounds. I doubt it would ever break!

I have emailed Paul Rivera several times and sometimes I never got my emails anwsered and when I did get a reply, it was pretty short and not quiet as informative as I expected.

Overall, if I could do it again, I wouldn't have bought the Quiana.
After living with it for awhile I can say that Im glad that I dont have it anymore. Instead, Im opting to get a Blues Pearl Blues Master 3x10 in blond tolex with an Oxblood grill cloth. Blue Pearl is all point to point hand wired and use nothing but the highest quality parts and it has a 3 knob reverb. I have heard these amps and a lot of people think they are better then actual vintage fenders. I know from what I have heard, they are definately fatter and have a fuller, warmer tone. As for the Rivera, it was a bit of a dissapointing experience. The Reverb was really nice, thats one thing I got to give Paul Rivera credit for. Its an okay amp, but for the sounds I want, it just wasn't cutting it....

This amp is a 50+ watt 1x12 Celestion Vintage 30 loaded combo,MFD-2000. This amp screams versility. It has two channels each with a boost funtion (pre-set)and pull funtion switches on the mid and treble, and a focus knob for speaker dampning with a pull fat feature. FX send and return level knobs. A pre-amp out, and two speaker outs. High/low input jacks. Vintage/modern switch in the power section, and a Hammond six spring long pan reverb. All in a beautiful ruby red tolex deeper than normal cabinet,!!! (2)6L6 powere amp/with 5 12AX7's in the pre amp stages. I bought this amp to be my "grab n go" special, instead of my rack set up. It is very reasonable in weight too. I play mostly in Church and at home, and record with Christian artists. I have blessed to have played with many top name Christian performers too. Many, many Worship events have I been a part of!!!! Hehehee

I play mostly a Jeff Beck signature Strat with Joe Barden H/S/S pickups, and a PRS Custom 22 with Dragon p/u's. I"m 43 years YOUNG! and have been heavily influenced by players such as, Robin Trower, Tommy Bolin, Rithie Blackmore, Pat Travers, Jimi hendrix, David Gilmore, Martin Barre, Billy Gibbons, Joe Satriani,Luther Perkins,Joe Walsh, Marty Stuart, lincoln Brewster, and even Toni Iommi, I could go on forever here!. This amp is REAL quiet, even at hi gain settings. The "fender" channel is just wonderfuly versitile. It has a "ninja" boost feature for an added ooomph. This channel also has a pull midrange notch feature, and a pull bright on the treble side. With my Strat , I can get beautiful clean tones as well as "over the top" crunch, and then hit the ninja boost and WHAM! a primo voiced, better than a tube screamer type overdrive. It's really smooth and creamy or very full but chimey, Beautiful really! And I havn't even used any pedals with it yet. I use a Fulldrive II, a Micro Vibe, an old Boss CE2 chorus and a modified Vox Wa Wa, and a ADA flanger as my "main" ones. And on the "Marshall" channel, a killer Marshall-esque type of sound that is really a smokin' channel, but when you hit the gain boost feature on this channel, hold on!! It can peal paint! It's also voiced primo, and is very aggresive in nature, not harsh or ice picky at all. Controlled feedback at reasonable volumes! All the tone knobs really work too, when you turn one, you can actually here the difference big time. Not like the 70 Marshall Super lead 100 watter I grew up with! With my Joe Barden equipped Jeff Beck Strat, the tones in ALL styles are stellar, My PRS Custom 22 is awesome too, But the Strat....Man o Man!! Did I mention that this amp sounds primo at "real low" volumes? It does. By using the Focus knob, you can dial in speaker sag to get that loud pushed tone WITH feeling at xtreme low volumes. A very useful feature indeed. Also the Focus knob works well when you change guitars, as I use both a humbcker equiped PRS, and a Joe Barden equiped Strat. I think it gives the amp " multi personalities" !!!!

I have heard that Rivera amps are in the tops in this area, I havn't had anything go wrong as of yet. I dont expect to either. This amp looks beautiful, and has "quality built" written all over it.!!

I really researched before I bought any amp. I e-mailed the Rivera site a few times and called them once or twice. VERY nice people to deal with. Paul even answered my e-mails on more than one occation, and made a few recommendations as to which amp I might like. He even suggested to me a Suprema, but I"m glad I got the Quiana! I could never demo one anywhere, as the only Rivers store close to me is a four hour drive to Spokane Wa. Plus Rivera has a users forum and message board that you can read and find out about Rivera amps etc.

I've played since the eighth grade!! I own a Mesa Boogie Tri-axis pre-amp, with a Mesa 20/20 power amp. All housed in a 12 space SKB rack with a Furman power supply, a Digital Music Corp Ground Control switching system with their System Mix Plus rack mixer, and the Ground Control midi foot pedal. I use an Alesis Quadraverb 2 for the verbs and echo stuff in stereo. It also has a slide open shelf that houses my Fulldrive II, Voodoo Labs Micro Vibe, Boss CE 2 chorus, ADA flanger and the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power, power supply. All this is hooked together with over 200 dollars of George L's cables and plug ends!! Ouch!! Run finally into two Mesa 1x12 ext. cabinets with the Mesa / Celestion black shadow speakers. I also use a Mesa Dual Recto 2x12 cab loaded with Vintage 30's mostly for live and or studio recording. So I KNOW what top notch tone is!! And this Rivera Quiana 1x12 Studio combo, is TOP NOTCH TONE!!! You'll love it! I almost forgot to mention that the focus knob is a wonderful added feature that gives the amp a soft of harder feel to it. It works great throughout the whole range of settings etc.