I started looking for a new amp several months back. Narrowed the search to Mesa and Rivera. My main amp to this point has been my Marshall Silver Jubilee. I gravitated to jazz and still do a lot of blues and some fusion. I was looking for an amp that could cover a wide range, wouldn't be too loud or break my back.
My local music store let me bring home a Mesa Express 5:25 and a Rivera Venus 5 to play side-by-side. I loved the Mesa. Very versatile amp and it's own unique sound. Same for the Rivera. I did choose the Rivera. It was 2 months old and brought back to the store by a 62 year old gent who primarily plays in church only. Too much amp for the venue. I picked it up well below list price. The Venus 5 has 5 12AX7's and 2 6l6's. 15 watt / 50 watt switchable.
Once again, I love the Mesa sound and know I'll be back looking around to add one to the collection... once my wife is over the sticker shock of what I just did!
Great forum with intelligent discussion.
Cheers!
My local music store let me bring home a Mesa Express 5:25 and a Rivera Venus 5 to play side-by-side. I loved the Mesa. Very versatile amp and it's own unique sound. Same for the Rivera. I did choose the Rivera. It was 2 months old and brought back to the store by a 62 year old gent who primarily plays in church only. Too much amp for the venue. I picked it up well below list price. The Venus 5 has 5 12AX7's and 2 6l6's. 15 watt / 50 watt switchable.
Once again, I love the Mesa sound and know I'll be back looking around to add one to the collection... once my wife is over the sticker shock of what I just did!
Great forum with intelligent discussion.
Cheers!