It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:26 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impressions
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:56 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:30 am
Posts: 118
Need some (subjective) opinions. Which amp more closely captures the stereotypical "Fender Clean" - the Rivera Concert II (1x12 for example) or say a Silverface 70's-80 Fender Twin? I have played the Rivera Concert II but do not have local access to a Silverface Fender to A/B Them. Thanks!

Matt


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:50 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The Concert II, like all of the Rivera-era models, is a nice amp in its own right. However, none of his designs really did the stereotypical "Fender Clean" you mention. They're "in the neighborhood" but all of the additional pull-boosts and gain stages really added a lot of sonic complexity to the basic pre-amp architecture (purists would opine overly so). That said, unless you have an absolute need for uber-clean tone a la surf music or vintage C&W, the Concert II is a great amp.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:26 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:30 am
Posts: 118
Thanks for responding Arjay, I appreciate it!

Here's the story: right now I have a Mesa Boogie Lonestar Classic which has a beautiful clean channel, but just isn't quite a Fender clean. I also have a Lonestar Special which is a totally different animal, but has very Voxy sparkle clean. Live, I have been running a Thomas Amp Works "baby plexi" clone along with the Lonestar. I have owned three Twins ('80 or '81 Silverface and the PR266 '94 [Evil] Twin Amp - twice) and keep coming back to them because nothing comes close to their cleans. The weight is usually what ultimately makes me sell them (and that they are slightly ridiculously loud). I've been thinking about going with a clean Fender and use a few strategic pedals for the dirt (e.g. a BB Preamp, a Hermida Zen Drive, and a Wampler Black 65), in conjunction with the Plexi. If I didn't go with a Twin or a Dual Showman Reverb head, what would be your pick from say a Silverface Bandmaster (Reverb) head, or a Silver Bassman 50/100? The amp does not have to be a vintage Blackface. I'm more interested in it not being PCB-based. What would you suggest?

Thanks again for your help (and I already know that I need lots of therapy)! :lol:

Matt


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:48 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
For modest power/volume and authentic Fender cleans, I'd recommend either a Vibrolux Reverb or a Pro Reverb (both in silverface). They're the right balance of weight, vibe, and output. Avoid the ultra-linear PR's though (easily identified by the lack of a tube rectifier and the added middle tone controls). I've seen both of these models priced in the $1100 to $1500 range. Expect to perform some refurb/repair to render them suitable for dependable professional use.

A low-budget (but still worthy) solution would be the obvious......a DRRI.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:30 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:30 am
Posts: 118
I hadn't considered (nor played) the Vibrolux or the Pro Reverb. I'll have to check them out. Thanks again for your advice 8)

Matt


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:44 pm
Posts: 3
Most of my amps are vintage (37-59) but I do own a 4X10 Concert Reverb from the Rivera era and I think its a great amp for the clean Fender tone. I rarely use it except for an occasional recording because I mainly play blues and the other amps have a more complex overdrive. The gain channel on the Concert is, in my opinion, a bit lame. But the clean channel is truly outstanding. And I can use outside effects if, for some reason, I want a dirtier sound on the Concert. It is a big and heavy amp---deeper and heavier than an old super reverb. Heavy to haul around. But it does have great tone.

If I were using a clean Fender sound all the time, I would use this amp. It's also a great buy. You can find a good used one for $600-700 and that is so much better than some other amps that are selling for more.

--Gator


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:18 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:30 am
Posts: 118
Thanks Gator for the advice. I had the chance to snag a 4x10 Rivera Concert (II) but it was a beast to move (and my back wasn't digging it either). Actually, what I wound up doing with my local amp guru, is have him make me what I really wanted, which was a 1/2 of a Twin Reverb. So he is currently almost done building me a one channel, 50 watt (2-6L6), baby Twin reverb head (or 1/2 a Dual Showman head if you will) with reverb and vibrato and a simple series EFX loop (my request). Except for the 50 vs. 100 watts, everything else will be based on a '65 Blackface Twin. I'll post a pic or two in a few weeks when I get it. Can't wait! Take care!

Matt


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:00 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Matt, if I were you I'd instruct my amp tech to install a Heyboer or MercMag output tranny with multiple secondary taps -- that way you can safely run your new tone monstah with a variety of speaker loads.

Just a thought......HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:17 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:30 am
Posts: 118
Hi Arjay,

Yep, actually Chuck will be using a multitap tranny (I think Heyboer). Appreciate the advice!

Matt


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:19 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Smooth!

Sounds like a winner to me.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Rivera Concert vs. Silverface Counterpart - Tone Impress
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:37 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
MD...sounds like you have a great amp coming your way. I have a 2x10 Concert II and it is much lighter than the 4x10 model. My amp has a nice Fender Clean Sound on the Clean channel, although not your Perfect Blackface Clean, it was very usable. The Boost channel running through the 10s sounds much tighter and better (IMO) than the 1x12 Concert II, those tended to mush out on the boost channel...couldn't keep the crispness of the 2x10 models. I just had mine retubed and a cap job (I bought it new in '84), as it was beginning to crack and pop once in a while and now its back to dead quiet and the tone is really nice.

Make sure we get some some pics when you get your amp.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: