River Venus 3

[steam-powered]

Hello all. This is my first post. About me: 40 yrs on spaceship earth, fan of Wes since I was a youngster, and playing acoustic for about 19 yrs. I'm buying a Heritage 5-555 soon and need an amp.

I want:
1) class a
2) american or canadian made
3) 15 watts (or higher if adjustable)
4) clean headroom

I tried a Rivera Venus 3 last week and it sounded nice. I'll likely end up getting that one, but I'd like to know if there are other's that I should consider. I have very little knowledge of amps. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Bushwackbob]

Originally Posted by steam-powered

Hello all. This is my first post. About me: 40 yrs on spaceship earth, fan of Wes since I was a youngster, and playing acoustic for about 19 yrs. I'm buying a Heritage 5-555 soon and need an amp.

I want:
1) class a
2) american or canadian made
3) 15 watts (or higher if adjustable)
4) clean headroom

I tried a Rivera Venus 3 last week and it sounded nice. I'll likely end up getting that one, but I'd like to know if there are other's that I should consider. I have very little knowledge of amps. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Mesa Lonestar Special.

[steam-powered]

Originally Posted by Bushwackbob

Mesa Lonestar Special.

I forgot to mention:

5) Less than 50 lbs

Mesa boogie's are great, tried both of the lone star models and was VERY impressed, but too heavy!

[Bushwackbob]

Originally Posted by steam-powered

I forgot to mention:

5) Less than 50 lbs

Mesa boogie's are great, tried both of the lone star models and was VERY impressed, but too heavy!

Ok: Mesa Lonestar Special and an assistant...

[helios]

Originally Posted by steam-powered

Hello all. This is my first post. About me: 40 yrs on spaceship earth, fan of Wes since I was a youngster, and playing acoustic for about 19 yrs. I'm buying a Heritage 5-555 soon and need an amp.

I want:
1) class a
2) american or canadian made
3) 15 watts (or higher if adjustable)
4) clean headroom

I tried a Rivera Venus 3 last week and it sounded nice. I'll likely end up getting that one, but I'd like to know if there are other's that I should consider. I have very little knowledge of amps. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I am an EL84/Mesa fan! Have you tried the Express Series 5:25? It weighs in at 38LBS, and is Class "A" in low power mode. Here is a review:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/20...uly%202007.pdf

[steam-powered]

I did a final side-by side test and came home with the Venus 3.

It was a rather difficult decision. I tried the Chubster 45 along side of the Venus, going back and forth for about thirty minutes. Tonally, the Chubster had that sound, dead-on. Rich and "shimmery" a true "Wes-like tone". The Venus came across as much more versatile, though, with incredible tweed and blackface tones provided by pulling the middle knob.

The Venus won over the Chubster due to being dead silent at idle, having the option of going from 15 to 7 watts, and providing a greater variety of tones. Not only did the Venus provide glassy cleans, but can get very dirty sounding with a pull of volume boost knob. The class A quickness of response was noticeable to my ears, as well.

The Venus 3 came across as the perfect amp for both jazz and blues. Not a "best of both worlds" amp, where it can sound merely "good" in either setting, but truly AMAZING for both styles of play.

I gotta say that hearing all of the tones that Jerry Donahue got out of his Venus 3 tipped the scale as well. Here is the video clip that Rivera amps has:

YouTube - Rivera Venus 3 played by Jerry Dohanue

[helios]

Congratulations-I can feel the excitement way over here!!! It's good that you spent some time researching what is right for you. All of those studio guys who use Fender Champs (12AX7/6V6 powered-as is the Venus 3) can't be wrong!

[rabbit]

Congratulations!
I've an old Fender, blessed by Rivera,
& can predict a long honeymoon for you.