Rivera Stereo 120 head

My friends jokingly call this the glass managerie due to the plentiful tubes. Mine has 4 EL34's and 5 12ax7's (If I recall correctly). The first channel is voiced for higher gain but cleans up nicely. The second channel is quite "Fenderish". I have the matching 2X12 cab with EV pro speakers nd the cab is heavyer then most of the 4x12 cabs i've encountered. The slavemaster is more like "Shamemaster"... is sucks the life from your tone...

I like to play blues for the most part but do my fare share of metal. The cleans are amazing but the distortion is sort of Nu-Metalish for my tastes with no lead tones (that i've been able to achieve yet). I know it may seem to be sacreligious to some but I run my Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp through the second channel and get a nice David gilmour soaring lead tone. In the house I'm limited on volume so I typically run my Vox tonelab SE for similar tones and managable volumes.

This thing is built like a tank. Its a shame that my setup basically uses it for it's power amp but gotta achieve that sign. tone somehow!
Most guitarist I know have Marshall heads and freak out over the prospect of ripped tolex... this thing is covered in carpeting so the worse that'll happen is animal fur will cling to it (previous owner had cats and im STILL trying to get the fur off of it).

Bought this amp new, direct from Rivera in 2003. It's capable of a vast array of tones, so I haven't run into a situation where it was lacking. I'm a professional musician, and play just about everything that would fit into the pop category, roots music, etc. In addition to live work, I do the occassional album project along with tracks I cut at home in ProTools for folks and again, this feature-packed amp really does cover everything. I think all the specific features have been mentioned, so I won't be redundant.

I was first drawn to the Rivera because of the two channel, British and American combination idea. After living with this amp for a few years and being in so many different situations with it, it's so great to have access to a big fat Fender sound (with plenty of headroom or a creamy breakup if I need that), a great Marshall tone, Vox tone, etc. along with whatever in-between sounds you feel like. I will say that even though it nails those sounds, it very much has a character of it's own. The Slavemaster, although I don't have need for it very often, is yet another cool sound to have on hand, at the tap of a footswitch. The gain in channel one can get pretty chunky for the guys who dig that sound. The EQ is incredibly sensitive and usable. I play all the standard guitars---Strats, Tele, Gretsch, Les Paul, 335, etc. and they all work great with the Rivera even though they react to it in their own unique ways. It's certainly loud enough for every situation I've been in, and it sounds great played at softer levels in triode mode. I have a handful of really great boutique amps and access to some of the "in" amps at the moment--Divided by Thirteen, 65, etc. and I still totally dig the Rivera. It amazes me how cheap these things are going for on ebay! The tones are out of this world, but I guess because it doesn't have "the look" like Divided by Thirteen and what-not, it's just not as in demand. This is sad to me. I say play all the amps with your eyes closed and let your ears decide. Don't get me wrong, they're all great amps, but there's no need to conform to the masses and buy the latest and greatest thing out.

I don't own anything more reliable and, to use the overused phrase, but it's actually true in this case, it's built like a tank. A couple of weeks ago I took a spill down some stairs moving the head and a cabinet. The damn thing rolled all the way down the stairs! Being more concerned about the Rivera than my own embarrassement, I quickly plugged it in and it was right there, no problems! I couldn't believe it. Although I should have expected it, given the obvious detail and care devoted to making it so durable. To the point, I was way more banged up and sore the next day!

I always like to have backups for everything (guitars, pedals, amps, etc.) because you never know, although I've never had to switch over to another amp because of a failure---hasn't happened yet and I don't expect that it will.

Haven't needed to contact Rivera since the initial ordering, but I've heard good things about their customer support.

I've been playing for a couple of decades. (Has it been that long?!) I would replace it in a heartbeat if stolen or lost, especially with the used prices I'm seeing these days. I'm still shocked at the used market, but I'll certainly take advantage of it! It's worth buying another few of them just for that reason.

To recap, I love this amp. There's nothing about it sonically that I don't like and I wouldn't change anything about it, except (and this is so incredibly low on the list) the black carpeting. It's a little dated, but again, the tones are what count and they're amazing.

I believe a 1990 vinatge for this one. We all know the features of this amp which are the basics for a "stereo" head ie: Chorus and reverb. The 2 features that are totally useless are the Slavemaster and Ninja Boost...I don't get it??

Using Hamers with EMG's and suits my style very well. The amp has plenty of gain and is super quiet for as dirty as it can get. The clean channel tends to break up fairly easy but thats kind of a good thing! Now here's my only complaints as far as how it sounds..The "Ninja" boost in the clean channel is totally useless as it is way too much boost?? The "Slavemaster"..Also useless as it seems someone has thrown a wet blanket over your amp when engaged??

Seems bullet proof enough!

Awesome!! simply Awesome!! Ernie is the man!!

Great amp with a couple of useless umm..:features"?? Sent the amp to Rivera and they gave it a good rub down and I'm really happy with the amp!!

Exceptional layout and flexibility ? between the two channels, the Ninja boost on the ?Fender? channel, the slave/master, and the effects loops access you can set this thing up to function in a lot of different ways. There are also two additional boost levels on the Marshall channel. Pentode/Triode mode switching on each channel and full and half power settings for both of those too. I can handle most of my electric chores with the two channels and the ninja boost and using the effects loop as another boost for either channel. I have a custom warmoth strat I built with a Fishman Power Bridge and I can send the acoustic signal to a different preamp and then into the slave/master input. So the Rivera footswitch allows me to switch between the piezo and magnetic outputs of my guitar ? very cool.

The chorus is great too - If anything I would fault the reverb - a bit grainy. But everything else is truly exceptional

This is one muscular dog. I play a variety of guitars ? old Ibanez artists, strats and teles and 335?s. The cabs I use are a pair of Rivera 2x12s, or a pair of EV SROs 1x12?s or a pair of JBL D-120 1x12s. The S-120 really likes Evs but the JBL?s sparkle is really nice too. Wonderful clean tones (especially with the Rio Grande single coils) ? very Knopfleresque. One of my favorite tones is with an old hollowbody Ibanez Artist with a bigsby on the gain channel. Massive, end of the world crying tones with this amp. Another is playing an Ibanez 335 type Artist with T.V Jones Filtertrons with the ninja boost on. Incredible harmonics and richness.

This is easily my most flexible amp and I also own a Carvin x100B half stack, A Boogie Triaxis rack 50 watt per side rig, and a Boogie Vtwin Rack 20 watt per side rig. The Rivera is the King. I?ve owned it for a couple of years and it still amazes me.

You have to take the time to get the feel of this amp. Small changes in the settings make for discernable changes in the output.

The thing is a tank. Never a problem

The Rivera folks always answer my emails and always give me just what I need. They seem to be on a mission.

The manual for this rig is exceptionally deep

I?ve been playing for more than 30 years and I have gone through a pile of amps. This one is my keeper It fits my style ? very tone conscious rock and blues with huge flexibility and an endless capacity to dial in and tweak if ya want to. I like the Carvin but I?m giving it to my kid. The only other amps I am considering is a early ?80s Rivera Fender Conncert and probably one of Andy Marshall?s Bivavles.

Paul Rivera is in my opinion a way underappreciated amp builder. If ya want to support a great product buy Rivera.

Countless Push pull knobs which make up countless possible tones! 2 seperate 60w amps. Effects loop and slave master gains, 2 foot pedals, 2 channels

The only reason I won't give this amp a 10 is because the reverb isn't all that great. The Distortion can be brutal, mild, blues', rock, pretty much what ever you want. The clean is the same way. The stereo chorus is very nice and has a wide range of sounds

Mine was made in 1990 so just the fact that its 12 years old and still ticking I will give it a 10.

Never delt with

For the money you CAN'T beat it! I also have a Triple Rectifier, Marshall DSL-100, and a Peavey Stereo Chorus 2x12. All have their own overall sound but my S-120 is by far the most versitle. I have been PLaying 12 years and have 11 guitars. I would definately buy one again if something happened. That is if I could find another one

This is a Stereo Rivera Head with 60watts per side and it is all tube, both preamp and power amp. It has two channels on it and a STEREO effects loop. It also has a great stereo chorus and spring reverb on it. Every control and push/pull knob on the amp is very responsive and actually work like they should, then again, this is a RIVERA so what else would you expect! This amp is incredibly versatile and will do any style that you throw at it.

I've used this amp in so many different situations with styles ranging from country, jazz, rock, to all out metal. The channels are voiced differently so you can dial in anything that you might need. I did one session with an artist that wanted me to get the exact sound of her Fender Bassman head, we were able to nail it except for one thing, the fender had a lot of noise and a little buzz to it... the Rivera is dead quiet. Her fender never sounded so good..haha! I've used this amp with a lot of different guitars including, Jacksons, PRS, Ibanez's, strats, teles, hollowbodys, and Rickenbackers. The amp really responds to the different guitars well and as any good amp should do, it responds to the way that you play. At high gain settings, the amp sounds better than any modified marshall that I've ever heard and it is still very quiet.

This amp is built like a tank. Paul Rivera is no rookie when it comes to building these things and it shows. I've toured with this thing and it's taken a beating and has never once let me down.

Rivera has great customer support and they actually care about the musicians that use their products. I met Paul Rivera at the Namm show here in Nashville a few years ago and he actually wanted to know what I thought of his amps and if I was happy with it. That says a lot to me because I'm just a regular player and not a marketable big name guy.

I wanted to find an amp that cover a lot of ground but not sacrifice the quality of tone in anything that I did. Well, this is the amp! I highly recommend this amp or any Rivera product to anyone. The only drawback that I've found with this amp is that you do become a bit spoiled when it comes to tone. If anything ever happened to this amp, I would buy another one right away!

many, stereo effects loop, twin 60 watt power amps, two channels with multiple boosts all foootswitchable. good for all styles. I already submitted the first review of this amp and have since changed its power section over to 6L6 (actually 5881 sovteks) and it has replaced my bogner.

This amp did everything good when it had EL-34s but with 6L6 tubes it is much better in the clean and the overdrive is more Dumble-like and less Marshall like. The overall gain seems reduced but the overall quality of sound is far superior.

You can damn sure depend on it. It has taken over the spot of my beloved Bogner Shiva which I finally had to take back as it continually broke down. It was by far the best sounding amp I have ever heard but if you are having to deduct milage from going to the repair shop of your taxes it is time to move on. The Rivera is really built to abuse.

I gave Rivera a 1 on my last review because he had not answered my emails but he has proven to be a great customer support guy and even gave me the resistor types and walked me through the 6L6 conversion over the phone.

As stated before I have been playing for 29 years and play in just about every style and venue imagineable (This is what I do for a living). I wish it came stock with 6L6 tubes but I guess the lack of early power amp distortion would keep the heavy metal guys away. With the 6L6 tubes it really is great. I am using it now with a mesa 1x12 recto cab and a 1x12 3/4 back both with vintage 30s and the sound is grat live, in studio, or in home studio and living room rehersals.

Everything under the sun except a presence knob but you won't miss it. It has two channels #1 is a Marshall and #2 is a Blackface Fender so one might say it has no character of it's own but it replicates the best Marshall and the best Fender I have ever heard. It has a chorus which must be broken because it does't sound very good, a decent reverb (I own a Bogner Shiva with reverb so most reverbs are not up to par with it), 6,000,000,000 boost and cut switches and a low power input, Pentode / triode switch, and a 1/2 power switch. The STEREO effects loop has two seperate return volumes a single send volume and a master volume on front of the amp.

This amp really sounds great!!! I love my Bogner Shiva but it died on a gig and while it was being repaired I was given this used Rivera as a loaner and ended up buying it. I stopped using effects such as my beloved 302ms digital delay when I got the Bogner because it seems to hate effects and sounds pretty damn good without them. But with all the thinggs you can do with the loop on this baby I couldnt resist pulling my delay out for a couple blues gigs and a couple fusion gigs. I ran the delay in stereo and ran one side of the power amp in pentode to my 4x12 cab with the first of two repeats of the delay coming to it an the other side of the power amp is set to triode(1/2 power) with the second delay very soflty coming from it. The result keeps my 4x12 as the main sound source but adds a 3 diminsional quality even my bogner can't match and just makes thng sound huge without being bass heavy.

This unit appears to be quite old. whoever had it before me still had the original tubes in it (almost all of which had gone microphonic) and it looks beaten to shit but it was the amp I was playing while my deceased bogner was being replaced. Seems to be built to abuse.

Never returned my emails about what tubes he recommended and about a replacement foot switch.

I have been playing for 28 years and professionally since age 8. While this amp may not replace my Bogner it makes a hell of a backup and in some instance is just a better amp for the job. I really dont know how Rivera can make EL34 tubes sound so sweet and 6L6 like in the Fender channel as I usually cringe at the thought of clean EL34 equipped amps but he did it. I really like this amp.