Rivera Venus 3

All Tube Amp (2x6V6 2X12AX7 Sovtek EH)
Surely the PCB, but military rank.
Equa three bands, push-pull (tweed / blackface), switch 7/15w
Cab beautiful, very well finished, with a Celestion G12H30 Anniv.
So a small 15w combo with a good reverb Longpan Accutronics.
Sup hp output and effects loop.
Single channel, with a push-pull boost for high gain.
The approach in G12H30/15W/6V6 combo "plush" is very well seen, there are not many people offering advanced alternatives to the little tweed and other blackface.
Rivera IS cleaver (author's note)

UTILIZATION

This single channel is very simple at first, but the equation is very effective (as sound) and must fine-tune the knobs to approach the sound you seek.
The possibilities are numerous, but very typical grain is still present, it is better to love him right away (I do)
The amp can be confusing because the sound setting is extremely subtle.
The lamp is an original V1 Sovtek, I urge to change it, and take time to find "good".
For me, an old 12AX7 January States.

SOUNDS

The cab is very good and I recommend purchasing this amp combo, because it is very balanced in weight and volume.
I had a 40 Chubster US, I prefer the Venus because it is less powerful and more user friendly, you can have a very warm and fat sound at low volume.
on the other hand, do not expect to Plexi crunch, we are in the sound fuzzy and mushy (very enjoyable) and other old tweed Blackface.
The sound is still modern (not a pet blast) and is more accurate than on a real tweed but also a little less "complex"
Quickly you get used to this type of grain and I confess that I am using more than this pedal since I Venus. I consider him a second amp, amp home (7w) and repeat small (15w) or jointly taken by the PA.
A high volume, there is a good sag (without grinding), rather emulation Sag very well done and pleasant to the game
I am less a fan of the boost position except first thing in the race.
From jazz to light crunch, that's what he does best for the big crunch, I preferred the EL34.
Difficult to describe the sound is "classy", soft and sweet, never aggressive,
sag with a solid attack.
The crunch is "chewingum" fuzz limit, but in the right direction, thick and textured sound with very low crashing musically.

OVERALL OPINION

Not yet tested in rehearsal, this amp gives me the sound I dream for a long time without tiring.
I admit it can be disconcerting at first, it takes a little time to tame it.
Changing the lamp is very beneficial in V1 (the Sovtek sounds a bit flat)
I bought the amp because it corresponded to the specifications that I had set (combo, low power, its fender old school, loop, exit hp, G12H)
Everything is well thought out and it's a success.
No push-pull of bright or adjusting focus as the Venus 6, no possibility to change the sound on stage, so more for recording or playing at home.
I use it in this way with joy!
Very good amp, but for use in the context in which it was created.
PAUL RIVERA gives us a very original and impressive milling quality without trying to fall into the clonage.Il is a replay of old Fender.Il has a very personal, and it quickly becomes addicted.
Please do not perhaps purists, because of its ease of use "modern"
Bob