Rivera Suprema 55

55W.
Lamps EL-34 power and eternal in 12AX7 preamp.
Celestion Vintage 30 (excellent).
Closed back! Important that ... It changes everything! The portability of a combo and sounds very similar to those of the two bodies, with low being held.
So, the bet "head" is totally independent of the part that contains the HP, which is always nice for lamps (you like, you have your head stuck in the back of a Celestion?).
Side handles well located. The amp weighs its weight but is doing without too many problems to the car.
Joinery solid American maple! There's no denying it's solid! You can make the most dissonant chords that are, it does not vibrate a bit!

UTILIZATION

Four sounds at the foot! One can, for example, make the following configuration: a clean, a crunch, a muscular rhythm, a furious lead.
Both say right away: this is priceless. Finally an amp that can be used without any pedals! Especially as the boost levels are largely sufficient to embark on a solo that pierces the mix without difficulty. In short, a jack and go!
The effects loop is a model of its kind: it "swallows" your effects (pedal or rack) and mixed with the sound of the amp without breath or change in timbre. In addition, the levels of input and output are adjustable, which is good, especially when one has a little ticklish vintage pedal.
Another big advantage of this wondrous loop: it can be used attenuator. Connect a simple mini-jack in the send and return, put at the 3 or 4 and you end up with a fully usable amp apart. "Hard to believe and yet ... We are far from Fender inaudible 1 and hysterical 1.5.

SOUNDS

The Suprema 55, this is not the Jazz Suprema, let it be known! Although it is capable of delivering beautiful cleans, actually remember a lot (good) Fender, the Suprema 55 is a rock amp.

Channel 2, with the voicing "American" is the equivalent of clear channel among other manufacturers. The headroom is not phenomenal - it's not a twin - but, first, that actually plays with a perfectly clean sound? (Not me!) On the other hand, the sound gets dirty very gradually and in a very musical way. That are drawn to tweed or blackface sounds, it's always flattering to the ear and was quick to take to Keith Richards.

Channel 1, the "British" is a killer! Basically, for short, is a Marshall better, more punchy, more violent, more compressed (in a good way) and the closed-back does wonders in the California style. It's just funny to hear him play with the sound of Paul Gilbert on "Lean Into It"!

The reverb is very, very successful and can be used on virtually all his race.

OVERALL OPINION

Rivera is one of the best kept secrets in the guitar! It's almost the quality "boutique" at the cost of an asthmatic Marshall.

A little expensive in new, this brand has the great advantage of not practicing the endorsement - or not so little and with big stars. So, you do not pay the logo and above the value in OCCAZ is unbeatable!

It is incredibly strong, it can swing in the trunk of his car after the concert, it never flinch! There are lamps that change from time to time.

And above all, what sounds good! ...

For my part, I played two years on Suprema and have sold to a buddy to give me .. Rivera another! (The Venus 6 in this case).