Rivera Sedona Lite 112 Combo

The previous entry provides the configuration. The Lite has an effects loop and direct out with dedicated pots for all three 1/4" jacks; 2 channels (one TRS low Z; one unbalanced hi z) with bass, mid, treb, pull out notch shift, and pull out brightness for each channel. Reverb and presence each control both channels at the same time. Anti-feedback EQ has pots for both level of EQ and frequency.

Taylor T5 electric / fully acoustic top with pickup choices which produce a full range of electric humbucker through acoustic types. Also using a Taylor K22 (smaller body, all Koa) acoustic with Taylors ESS pickups.

The amp has noticeable hum, but that may be my inexperience with tube amps. Certainly noisier than the Fender Acoustisonic Jr with DFX that it replaced, as well as the Line6 Flextone III which I AB to with the T5 - but both are solid state.

The sound is full, rich, and warm, as described by the other Sedona reviewers. Either channel (TRS balanced low z or unbalanced hi z - I can't tell the difference with the inputs I'm using) sound great.

When I first received the amp the tubes were microphonic, and reverb would feeback on almost any setting above 4 (1-10 scale). Having replaced the tubes with "matched" pre-amp tubes from a vendor without effect, I sought a repair facility. Unable to locate a reasonably close factory, and recommended by the local dealer (not the dealer from whom I purchased) I went to a non-authorized tube amp specialist, and he did a very good job, replacing the tubes, setting the bias, fixing a couple of wires which were pinched and mis-routed (not sure if this was factory..).

Not sure of the history of the amp. I was looking for a good price on the Lite online. Late 2005 pricing was $1300; at the first of the year it went up to $1400, and while checking to see if everyone had gone up, I found this one listed on ebay. The seller was a valid Rivera dealer in the Chicagoland area, and the amp reportedly was new, just on the floor, had not been sold but only played while in the store. No wear on the amp, and I have no reason to suspect this was not true.

After having the work done described in the first paragraph, I used the amp for a few weeks before taking it as a backup amp and powered monitor combo for a very small venue worship group. The powered mixer had a monitor out, and instrument cabling into the hi z worked fine - although the amp can only be turned up volume to 1.5 (out of 10) or it feedsback. Volume is more than sufficient. But I also tried unpatching the monitor, and put the amp as an input to the mixer - through the direct out. No joy. Effects out works - no idea why not through the direct out.

A return to the same tube amp specialist replaced the op amp, and he was able to get signal out through the direct, but the pots for the direct out AND loops return/send must all be at almost 10 to get signal.

I have been unable to get any response from Rivera (see below) and am therefore quite frustrated. Yeah, I got a great price on a old floor model Lite, but so far I'm not getting full features operating.

The amp is built very well, solid, and I've had no problems with the basic operation.

With the warranty card I sent a question in about the microphonic tubes. I didn't understand what was causing the reverb feedback. I never received a comment, email, note, call, or anything back.

I also asked about a manual on the Lite, as the inputs, outputs, and some features are significantly different from the Sedona combo. There is a PDF manual on the Sedona series, but because the Lite has fewer controls and features, it is not clear whether the same configuration for various patching would work. It certainly does NOT work as expected from that manual (direct out produces nothing unless effect pots are almost at 10). I asked if there was a Lite specific manual, and have no reply. The only "manual" that came with the Lite is a one-pager with some suggested settings. Helpful but no info about using the direct out, for example.

I also sent an updated request via snail mail to Rivera with a SASE, asking about the direct out, and reporting the reverb problem solved by tube replacement. No response, and it's on my dime.

My next step will be to try to find an authorized repair shop. I'd been warned by the local (OK) dealer that the authorized shops did not have good track records on timely service (6 months was mentioned) so it is with some trepidation that I take this step. It would be nice to have a fully operational amp, even at the discounted price I've paid.

I will attempt to find out from Rivera more information, but based on the experience so far do not expect much. Sorry, Paul - I'd like to report a better response.

It blows away the solid state amps I've used. The sound is rich, the volume immense, and it is built like a tank.

If I could resolve my functionality problems it would be a 10, even if I had paid street price for it.

Until then, because it does work exceptionally well for all except connecting to an external PA, it will get a 5 overall. Customer support contributes to the lowering. I'll update this if/when I get a resolution.

55 watt tube combo. 2 channels, effects loop, anti feed-back eq, spring reverb. 1 12" + 2" separate tweeter

I play a Tippin OMC with a Sunrise magnet into this, it is beautiful. Very warm, a huge sound, unreal but a good unreal. Not a dead, accurate, brittle tone like so many "acoustic? amps, but a beautiful, wide, burnished tone all its own.
No extraneous noise, very little hum, nothing awful.
I play solo guitar in bars, restaurants, coffee houses ect. I've never had it at full volume so I cannot comment on that but it has always sounded good to me in at the levels I've used it thus far. Many people comment on how good it sounds.
It seems like a lot of amps have a complicated effects bank at the end of the signal to polish up the lifelessness of the sound. Like frosting on a stale cake. This amp needs no such gimmickry; just pure, sweet tone from stem to stern, the simple reverb only enhances this.

Too soon to say. I've used it regularly for about 6 months with no issues.

I called and left a message regarding an extra power tube purchase, I was called back in about a day and a half. I think that is good.

I really like this amp. It sounds like I have always wanted my guitar to sound. Very warm, rich. Inspiring. An instrument unto itself. It is a little heavy at 45 or so pounds but not when compared to its larger model. I have had no buyer's remorse and I have wasted a lot of money on guitar toys I thought I wanted. As it stands today, A Keeper. I can think of nothing I do not enjoy about this amp
I?ve played for over 25 years, I get paid on occasion.
There is more info on their website.