New additions for my rig

[Casper]

Hey guys,
Took out my new Rivera Chubster 40 on the road for the first time this weekend! I am in love. Config is 2 EL84s/5 12ax7s.Plenty of power, 2 separate voicings each with its own eq. The reverb is sweet and the EQ is SO workable! The extra deep cab produces fattness and warmth. Distortion may take a bit to get used to (calm down), but seemed great live. It came with a Celestion 70/80. This thing is built like a tank...and it loves pedal boards and Andys, easy to transport and customer service is awesome. btw..damn good looking too ;)
I also picked up a Strobostomp II recently and am glad to have a tuner I can read in the daylight. I also now own an 04' HDT NAMM piece (which I will post with new rig pics in the next day or so. Heres the link for anyone looking for a great amp/company..
http://www.rivera.com/chub40.php

Just wanted to share:)
Shaun

[Ray K.]

Nice, Shaun. Specs say it's EL34 powered. Did you do a swap? Just curious.

Ray K.

[Casper]

Hey Ray,
If you're referring to the Fender, no I sold it to a friend. I ordered this. I just realized that I'm a EL84 kinda guy. With the deep cab, you get plenty of lows and mids that the bigger tubes would supply anyway. I kept my trusty Classic 30, but need to send it back to Peavey for this noise that it has developed. That will be my back up. The nice thing is that I can get 112 extensions for either of these rigs if I need to, but for the stuff I do, both will be more than sufficient as they are..thanks!
Shaun

[kurt1981]

Hey, sounds cool, how are you running the EQ? I've been having trouble getting a sound that works for me on the fandango I picked up, and I'm actually wanting to sell it. It's a great amp, but honestly, I never use the drive, so it seems like a waste. If anyone wants it, let me know, $900 plus shipping, just to move it.
Kurt

[Casper]

Hey Kurt,
I had actually sent you a PM a while back wanting to do a trade/cash deal with my DRRI, but I guess you didn't get it/weren't interested. You should hang on to this amp. I have already told friends, the distortion channel is gravy compared to how nice and workable the Clean EQ is.
The thing I have always liked about Rivera is that the EQ is almost 'active' in the way it responds. Between the Pull Bright and Pull Mid Notch, I can dial up anything. Also working the balance between Master Vol and Preamp is another choice, and working the presence as the final overall eq is what I've been working with. I have been leaving everything basically flat (around 5)with the mids (in) and boosted slightly, Master around 7, preamp at 4 or 5 and presence around 7.
If you want ultra-clean, run the Master wide open (10) and dial up you main volume from the preamp, eq to taste. I have to work some with the British side of this amp, The distortion is workable, but I am using my pedalboard for lead stuff right now. Anyway, I am totally happy with Rivera and am confident in the build/design and reputation of the company. Hope this was helpful-Shaun

[Ray K.]

Hey Shaun,

I'm an EL84 guy also and use a C30 for backup/practice. I guess I'm a bit confused by your original post since I've not played a Chubster. The Rivera site says these are EL34 powered, yet you are using EL84's. That's what I meant about a swap. Not trying to be nit-picky, just wanting to learn. :)

Thanks,
Ray K.

[kurt1981]

Hey man, thanks for the tips, I'll try 'em out tonight. I guess I'm used to my lonestar, and this amp seems kind of thin compared to that. Glad to hear it's working for you. What pedals are you running into it?
Kurt

[Casper]

I meant to say EL34, Ray...sorry. I had the C30 on my mind when I was writing, which btw is still a great amp for any gig.

Kurt, I am running a Fulltone Clyde wah, Barber Tone Press, Barber LTD Black, Barber Direct Drive, Peterson SS2, Meistersinger Chorus, Boss DD3 Delay and a Pedal Power II to drive it all on a Pedal Train Board. Now I have the Rivera footswitch as well (quite a spread in front of me). I am fixin' to run the cho and delay through the effects loop, but need to get some good cords first and figure out a way to route all of this. I am not using the Ninja Boost as yet (it is not controllable, the one flaw this amp has). The gain boost is a bit much on channel 2 as well, but i leave it on and sweeten to taste instead of utilizing the three available channels.
We aren't doing heavy rock anyway, but its nice to know I have it if I want it.
Hope that helps...Let me know if any of my eq suggestions has changed your mind?
Shaun

[Ray K.]

Thanks for clearing that up, Shaun. No harm done, I was just wondering who made the typo. :)

Yes, the C30 is a very nice gigging amp. Highly under rated, IMHO!

Ray