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Post subject: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:35 am
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I have a Rivera c1983 Concert 1x12 combo that I love but...as the years go on the weight of it is becoming a major problem when carrying it around. Are there any thoughts about losing some weight from this beast without effecting sound quality or is it the scary world of new amplifiers for me?


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:11 am
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Your best bet is probably a new amp.

That said, amp makers are traditionalists because players are, and do old-fashioned things that have no impact on sound whatsoever. Heat sinks is a prime example. There's no benefit to using heavy iron heat sinks over aluminum. The transformer cores is another example; newer type cores have superior performance at a fraction of the weight (but higher costs).
So yes, there's probably weight that can be shed, but getting a bespoke workover for your amp by a non-traditionalist tech is likely going to cost more in work hours than a new amp, and it will still be heavy.


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:04 am
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The one cost-effective remedy to an overly "obese" combo amp would be to replace the existing ceramic or alnico speaker(s) with those featuring neodymium magnets. The weight reduction would be significant while the cost would be modest.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 2:40 am
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+1 to arjays advice. I put a neo speaker in my v3mc mostly because I was not happy with the speaker in it. the new speaker weighs about 5 lbs less, making it much easier to carry around.

sadly, I'm one of those who has to consider weight when buying an amp. the days of hauling a 50 pound plus amp around are long gone.


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 9:22 am
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phreddybee wrote:
sadly, I'm one of those who has to consider weight when buying an amp. the days of hauling a 50 pound plus amp around are long gone.


Phreddy, for those occasions where I must tote a boat anchor around, I use one of those collapsible hand carts. It folds flat, stores easily, and can safely handle a hundred pounds or so. I think I paid like twelve bucks for it at Lowe's or Home Depot.

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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:41 am
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phreddybee wrote:
sadly, I'm one of those who has to consider weight when buying an amp. the days of hauling a 50 pound plus amp around are long gone.

Same here. My latest amp was picked because it's "only" around 40lbs and not made as a consumerist product you can't repair.

That said, a cart like Arjay says, or a dolly with gaffer tape on the blade and frame always comes in handy.


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 9:49 am
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A good set of casters can take a lot of the work out of schlepping amps around.


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:41 am
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Thanks for replies so far, the main problem is that I live up a number of stairs and no amount of wheels will help with that! I'll try some of the ideas above and will maybe start looking at new amps but it's such a pain when you're actually happy with the sound you have. Might also have to eventually admit defeat as the years go on and just go with amp modelling on my iPad to save my aching bones.


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 10:57 am
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You could always pull the amp out, put it into a head unit and connect it to a 1x12 cab. Breaking the weight into two pieces would sure make things easier on the aging frame!

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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 6:35 pm
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partickthistle wrote:
Thanks for replies so far, the main problem is that I live up a number of stairs and no amount of wheels will help with that!

If it were only a step or two, a dolly would work, but not for flights of stairs, no.
No chance of leaving it in the car, and have another amp for upstairs use?
You might have to bite the bullet and get a lighter amp then. It sucks how gravity increases over the years, and how the young ones don't seem to notice!


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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2016 7:16 pm
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arth1 wrote:
It sucks how gravity increases over the years, and how the young ones don't seem to notice!


:wink:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert Amp weight
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 1:25 am
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Yes,the Concert with two 12" speakers and the amp is heavy,I almost pick one up but settled for the London Reverb with one 12" speaker Combo.It's still my go to amp when traveling to gigs in a case on rollers.


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