Fender Concert Rivera-era opinions?

[therizzla]

I don't have the money right now but I have been gassing hard for a Rivera-era Concert 1x12" amp recently. I've never played one but I love the 1x12", dual 6L6 format. Anyone here own one or have hands-on experience to talk me into or out of this amp? I already have a Twin Reverb so it feels a bit redundant but the heart wants what the heart wants!

[TagoMago]

I had a used one on loan from the other guitarist in my band, c.1988-89. My silverface Twin had been stolen during a load in, so my mate was kind enough to loan me his 1x12 Concert until I got a new amp. He had just upgraded from a Peavey Bandit 65 which he loved (and the rest of the band hated!) and he wasn't all that keen on the Concert really. He would use it at gigs but take the Peavey to the studio. He actually still has the Peavey now, and he uses it to record bass with, those things are indestructible. So I had his Concert for about 8 months.

What I liked about the Concert was the clean channel was quite similar to my old Twin. There was a definite sonic familiarity that I was used to. And it was easier to carry around. And it looked cool. And it was plenty loud enough for big stages. Plus it was on loan for free.

What I didn't like was the gain channel, I thought it sounded actually pretty horrible. I never used the effects loop either, so can't comment on that. I was too dumb to understand how it worked so I never used it. My mate fell out of love for it and offered to sell me it but I wanted something smaller and not quite so loud. I got an early 70s Princeton instead, which I preferred all day long.

Having said that, I rarely used pedals back then, just a Cry Baby wah and occasionally a Boss OD-1. So I mostly was going for cleans, and the Concert was great for that. And my 3 guitars back then were a 1971 Fender Mustang, a 1967 Epiphone Riviera 12-string, and a 70s Framus acoustic that had been fitted with a soundhole pickup. So, probably different to most other Concert users.

Depending on what guitars you're using, and what pedals, and what music you're playing though, it might be worth trying one out (if you can) with your guitar/s and pedals to see if it's a good fit for you. You might love it

FWIW, I had a silverface Vibro Champ as my #1 amp for about 15 years, and use a Supro 64 now, with mainly Squier offsets and Teles so my needs will probably differ from most folks on here...

[cestlamort]

I loved my Concert II 4x10. Big glassy cleans, but weighed a ton (no tilt back legs) and the additional drive channel (and boosts) sounded like Santana’s guitar face looks.

(At least you don’t need to track down the rare, expensive footswitch for switching channels)

I went from the 410 to a super reverb (which was more different than I’d imagined) to a SF Twin with huge EV speakers (back to super). The Concert II had some shared oomph with the twin.

I was curious about the 1x12 version too and would pick one up if a good price, but it’ll be a heavy 1x12. (And my ideas of a good price are probably anachronistic)

From that era, I’d probably personally be more interested in one of the Musicman 112 combos.

[therizzla]

Thanks for the responses! I'm glad that you both have experience with Twins too since that's my #1 tube amp and the one I compare all others too.

The Concert II had some shared oomph with the twin.

From that era, I’d probably personally be more interested in one of the Musicman 112 combos.

I'd be pleased to get the oomph of a Twin out of a 1x12! There is a Blonde MM 115-HD with an EV speaker near me that definitely caught my eye.

I know it sounds silly, but my main motivator to find an amp that runs on a pair of 6L6s is that over they last two decades (dear god ) I've ended up with three lightly used matched pairs (JJ, Mesa and vintage RCA) but nothing to use them in. A Concert 1x12 seems to fit the bill for that, tone I'd appreciate and not unreasonable pricing.

Also, I already have a spare Fender 1/4" single button footswitch so I can control the reverb if the original is missing, I don't think I'd spend much time on the lead channel anyway.

[cestlamort]

Also, I already have a spare Fender 1/4" single button footswitch so I can control the reverb if the original is missing, I don't think I'd spend much time on the lead channel anyway.

the Rivera era amps have a proprietary footswitch, so other Fender switches will not work with them.

And re: oomph, worth noting that mine was a 410 so moved some air.

Overall, I’d say that I liked the amp but it is a tier below the classic fenders. (In other words, a good buy if a good price, but I wouldn’t jump to get one at more than $5-600)

[therizzla]

Also, I already have a spare Fender 1/4" single button footswitch so I can control the reverb if the original is missing, I don't think I'd spend much time on the lead channel anyway.

the Rivera era amps have a proprietary footswitch, so other Fender switches will not work with them.

And re: oomph, worth noting that Kline was a 410 so moved some air.

Overall, I’d say that I liked the amp but it is a tier below the classic fenders. (In other words, a good buy if a good price, but I wouldn’t jump to get one at more than $5-600)

That's exactly what a wanted, a straight opinion! Like I said, I'm not buying something soon but if a reasonably priced one comes across I may check it out. Good info on the footswitch, thanks!

My Twin is a lightly modded UL model that has great tone and reverb but I'd be curious to compare it to a Concert 1x12. I bet that 4x10 was a beast!