Rivera Rake Head 55

55W all-tube, 80, pushed by 2xEL34 and five 12AX7 / ECC83 preamp. No grinder.
Two low / Hi inputs, two outputs hp (selector 4/8/16), two channels (Fender / Marshall), with a very specific equa, and several types of voicing via push pull (mid notch, bright, boost)
Presence of a potentiometer and a FOCUS (reply Hp), buffered effects loop with volume, a pro amp!
FS7 a footswitch to change channels or trigger a boost (adjustable on mine)
This amp gives a range of impressive, with the base a thick and rich sound, a huge pool of low medium, and never aggressive treble.
The choice of cabinet is critical to get the most for my part, a closed 1x12 with a G1265 Rola, and an open baffle with a G12T85 UK.
My fifth RIVERA, all the others, I have sold the one, I keep it!

UTILIZATION

No manual, but you can use the manual Fandango / Quiana at almost exactly.
The knobs are very reactive, so go smoothly and to the ear, the margin is large and finds happiness with any good guitar, from the bright to the dark more.
The clean sound is thick, typed Dumble, but we can make it more clear sound via push / pull to mid and bright, without falling into aggressive bright.
The amp is very suitable for the stage as it is switchable triode (approximately 35W).
Nothing to say, it is very well thought out.

SOUNDS

Compared to other RIVERA, it smells "high end", the voicing is beautifully calibrated.
The grain is magic, you have to play to a consistent volume to appreciate its true value.
When the volume goes up, the receiver opens subtly without ever falling into the harsh nor muddy.
Sound US jazz to rock, through realistic Fender sounds, this amp is a Swiss Army knife.
It might sound with its own personality, the goal is not to completely copy the sound of a Fender or Marshall, but rather to have a nice variety of its clear, crunch, saturated distortion.
The fender blackface drooling at the channel in the bass, but via the action of the knob of FOCUS, we can radically change the rendering, and the ability to adjust the volume of ninja integrated boost allows for just the desired crunch (ie the Ninja boost is too radical).
With low 2, the bright and mid switch, one can give in the lens, also playing on the presence knob. This will also give the fat sound and low nice medium with micro bridge in lead. It takes good pedals and the loop is over the top. Even stronger, not a pet of breath, a nice feeling after playing an old vintage amplard.

OVERALL OPINION

For now, nothing to say, this is a good pick! The cabinet dedicated miss because it seems to be perfectly calibrated for this amp, but I'm doing with my speakers.
I do not regret my Chubster 40 first generation, it is well over here.
This Rake all that was good in RIVERA, with a top grain that looks better calibrated to me that the series K / R / Fandango / Quiana. This is in a situation that we greatly appreciate his character and thick medium, every note comes naturally without struggle. Often, an amp is super room but becomes non-operational situation. We can find the amp a little "off" low volume, but never on stage, and above all it does not twist the ears with too sharp treble. It takes very well germanium treble boost, it makes it sound vintage wish. I know Rivera is no longer fashionable, but it gives me satisfaction RAKE, having had several amps reputable shop.
The ideal is to find a lot Head / Cab in order to have the sound of the great Jay with AIRPLAY!