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| The Ultimate Sound ? From "Stage" Magazine, Belgium, November '97 Issue, (with the permission of the publisher) Written by: Luc Janssens Most of you will know Steve Lukather: a string miracle from L.A., veteran of a-thousand-and-one sessions (with Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, etc…) and also member of the famous band TOTO. In co-operation with this virtuoso, Rivera has developed a special amplification system, consisting of: a 100 Watts amptop (the so-called "Bonehead"), one (or more) 4x12" cabinets, filled with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, and the notorious Los Lobottom "Bass Extender Module", an extra-low frequency cabinet equipped with two 12" woofers. The whole installation is perfectly tuned (thanks to the ingenious cross-over circuitry) and we can tell you one thing: this set sounds truly amazing. Bonehead-system The heart of the "stack" is the Bonehead 100-Watt tube amp top. For starters, you get three different channels, each with it's own switchable boost-function. So you get a total of six sounds on board that you can instantly choose on the supplied footswitch. Channel one has a typical American R&B-voicing (call it "vintage tweed and family"), channel two gives you more "English" sounds (Plexi Marshall, Vox, etc…) with a great deal of crunch (with the boost switched on: phenomenal, pure sustain). Channel 3 gives you, let's say, "all the rest". We mean nuclear distortion, tons of gain and a dose of balls to get envious at. Every channel has it own dedicated set of tone controls (treble, mid, bass) plus boost, and the amp still has more well-thought-of features. On channel one you can activate extra contour-, bright- and notch-filters, the power amp has a presence control and a so-called"focus" function (with these, you actually control the speaker damping and the sensitivity of your speakers' reaction to the amp's signal). And you can also control the "Los Lobottom" cabinet volume from the amp. At the back of the Bonehead, we find an effects loop (fully controllable "send" and "return" levels), a "blend" pot to mix in the external effect with the basic sound; two speaker-outputs, a buffered recording outputa high/low power switch (reducing the power of the amp with some 50 %) ànd a power-switch that gives you a choice of a vintage or "modern" way to drive the power amp. Let's say it simple: the amp - and the speakers- are perfectly finished: wiring, controls, construction… everything has an aura of quality, robustness and, mainly, professionalism. SOUND We started this test -on purpose- very soberly: a speaker cable from the Bonehead to the 4x12 cabinet, plug in a Strat and … listen. I will assure you, even in this most "simple" configuration you hear one thing: Rivera makes fantastic amps. All three channels sound more than convincing, and have that - hardly describable - "magic" of a good sound on board. Call it a combination of power and clarity, definition, colour, tone and "attitude". Mostly, the expensive terms on the product leaflets never really make their promises come true, but this time we have to make an exception. The voicings that Rivera describes for each channel, really burst out of the speakers, with an intensity that you thought only existed in the brain of an ad campaign writer. And it still gets better… This really is an amplification system, so let's bring in … the Los Lobottom!!! Just imagine: take your favourite guitar sound and feel it. Get the picture ? The low frequencies are sent in the Lobottom's direction, so that the power is more evenly spread over the different speakers: you could say that the "ordinary" cabinet with four 12" speakers gets more space for highs and mids, while the bottom cabinet takes up the lows. The combination of Bonehead, 4x12, ànd "Los L." cabinet is so uncredibly powerful, potent and dynamic that you could speak of an "extra-terrestrial" quality of sound. Everything, I say everything sounds just great on this set. Be it your "down home" Delta-blues or post-industrial punkmetal: the licks, riffs and chords come flying out of the speakers like a missile. I have to explain to you that the system is a lot more than "add on an extra cabinet and filter a bit". No, this is securely developed interaction between the different components. I can't exactly tell you how it is done, but I can definitely assure you that it really works and sounds great (x10!). With the ultra-sensitive tone controls and all the afore-mentioned features on this combination, you can realize every imagineable (and un-imagineable) guitar sound. And, ladies and gentlemen: this Rivera is incredibly LOUD! You -literally- feel the lows bumping into your legs, even from a respectable distance, and I hardly have to tell that my relationship with the neighbours is irrepairably damaged. Yours truly found it hard to switch the set off. Do I sense an addiction coming up ? Knucklehead Also the second amp of this set fits the "wow" department. A bit simpler in layout (two channels), but nevertheless loads of tone. Forgetting the voicings we talked about before, we have an amp that produces a glass clear tone without (especially at high gain levels) any harshness. On the contrary: the Knucklehead gives you -at any volume- a soothing warmth that actually magnifies every nuance in your picking. Let's just say it one more time: it's funny, but these Rivera's make you actually play better , these amps are actually musical instruments. The Knucklehead carries the same quality standards: high quality and durable vinyl covering, ultra-clean wiring, top grade tubes and transformers, etc. , etc. It is actually amazing to see that both amp heads (in a product niche that is normally considered) "for-the-heavy-guitarist" can be so versatile and flexible. I will admit that you'll encounter these monsters more on large stages than in clubs, but also at lower volume settings, these amps have more than enough character and, especially, dynamics. Conclusion: pro's and con's… So, I can see only pro's, the Knucklehead sounds great and is a hell of an amp, but the hands-down winner (watch the price tag later on) is the Bonehead system. With this combination you really can -to say it nicely- make yourself be heard on the "cheaper" seats in the hall. And I'm not talking about noise. On the contrary, this set gives airtight lows, chunky fat mids and transparent highs that make your notes sound twice as good as they are used to. Believe it or not, but this set easily ranks between the very best amplifiers that have been built in recent years. Although I prefer the small(er) tube combo's à la Fender Tweed, I really freak out on a set of this caliber. Both Rivera's have that "in your face" feel that you rarely find on non-USA-built amps, but combine this with all the traditional sounds in a very broad spectrum. Seamless switching from one sound to another is a piece of cake (thanks to the great footswitch board). The con's ? Of course, these sets are quite bulky. Especially with a Bonehead-4x12-Los Lobottom-combination, you'll need a station wagon or a van to move everything. Weigh in the extra flightcases and you won't be too keen on seven one-night gigs in a row. And this brings us to the ultimate point of consideration: price. Hold tight: a Bonehead costs (retail pricelist) 168.750 Belgian francs (Bef), the L412T cabinet 58.750 Bef and the Los Lobottom cabinet 46.250 Bef. At most dealers, you can get a 20% discount, resulting in 219.000 Belgian francs. Ooch… Not really cheap, that Rivera stuff. Buuuuut… Look at what you get for your money: the "look", an outra-geously great sound, a heap of gear that is built like a tank, and the knowledge that, with this amplification system, you'll easily produce the most stunning quantity of (superior) guitar sounds this side of the galaxy. It just depends on how you look at it. Because, let's face it, for these 200.000, you get a lot of quality in return. You prefer to downscale a bit? No problemo: try the Knucklehead. For 80.000 Bef (minus your discount) he'll be yours and here's the verdict: you get every cent of the quality you pay for. Do yourself a favor: if you can try this gear out somewhere, don't hesitate. Tell the salesman that we told you! |
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