Rivera, Evans or AI Clarus/RE Stealth

**konstantine** · 05-18-2011, 05:24 AM

Which amp would you choose for that dark. warm, Jim Hall-ish jazz tone?

Rivera Jazz Suprema - 55w, Tubes, 12" Speaker

Evans RE200 or JE200 combo

Acoustic Image Clarus 1 (or +) with RE Stealth 10 or 12 speaker

Pure tonal decission, without considering the weight.

Konstantine

**kris** · 05-18-2011, 05:40 AM

Cheque what amp playing Jim Hall...
may be Henriksen...close to Polytone.

**jzucker** · 05-18-2011, 07:35 AM

they're all great. The tube amp would be the best tonally IMO. The evans will give you a bright clean with very nice eq controls, the clarus has a classic flat, woody jazz tone.

**Bill C** · 05-18-2011, 07:36 AM

I've not tried the Rivera or the AI, but I personally like the RE200. There's a lot of tonal variation possible. I personally prefer it to the Polytones and Henriksens I've played through.

**Rustic** · 05-18-2011, 08:12 AM

I have the AI Ten2 and love it for it's cleaness and versatility and portability. However, the cleaness can be a liability depending upon what plug into it. A big archtop with a floating pickup will not give you the sound it seems you are looking for. The Henriksen will definitely color your tone darker.

**kawa** · 05-18-2011, 11:41 AM

Rivera Suprema 12" Demo

Part 1

Part2

Evans RE200 Demo

Good Sounds

**mr. beaumont** · 05-18-2011, 12:02 PM

If I was interested in a Jim Hall-ish tone, I'd go right to what Jim Hall is using--which is reportedly a Henriksen (See Jim's quote on Henriksen's site--Although someone posted pics recently from a hall gig and he had an old Gibson tube amp AND a polytone on stage)

After that, I'd say overall, Jim's tone in the last 25 years or so has been what I'd call more of a "Solid State" jazz tone, So I'd consider the Evans and the AI.

Jim's old tone from the 50's and 60's was most definitely a tube amp...so I guess the question really has to be "Which Jim Hall tone?"

**konstantine** · 05-18-2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

they're all great. The tube amp would be the best tonally IMO. The evans will give you a bright clean with very nice eq controls, the clarus has a classic flat, woody jazz tone.

Jack, have you tried that Rivera?

From what you say the Evans is not the best choice for since it has a brighter character.

**konstantine** · 05-18-2011, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

If I was interested in a Jim Hall-ish tone, I'd go right to what Jim Hall is using--which is reportedly a Henriksen (See Jim's quote on Henriksen's site--Although someone posted pics recently from a hall gig and he had an old Gibson tube amp AND a polytone on stage)

After that, I'd say overall, Jim's tone in the last 25 years or so has been what I'd call more of a "Solid State" jazz tone, So I'd consider the Evans and the AI.

Jim's old tone from the 50's and 60's was most definitely a tube amp...so I guess the question really has to be "Which Jim Hall tone?"

Thanks for the reply.

I have favorite tones from Jim (and others) with tube and SS amps, I'm not really looking to copy his tone, I just wrote his name to give you a general idea of what I may looking for.

**konstantine** · 05-18-2011, 01:04 PM

I have to say that now I play through a Naylor SD60's lo-input, head into a THD 2X12 cab and I love the sound I'm getting with my Sadowsky Semi Hollow. I just need a more portable setup for my gigs.

I would get a Sadwosky Jim Hall, LS-17 or Benedetto Bravo, hopefully soon, when I could sale some gear I dont use anymore.

Originally Posted by Rustic

I have the AI Ten2 and love it for it's cleaness and versatility and portability. However, the cleaness can be a liability depending upon what plug into it. A big archtop with a floating pickup will not give you the sound it seems you are looking for. The Henriksen will definitely color your tone darker.

the Ten2 seems to be a great setup as well, any clips?

PS I apologize for the multiple posts

**wizard3739** · 05-18-2011, 01:19 PM

I am using a Sadowsky/AI/Re 12 combination and am extremely happy with the tone capabilities. For my taste, this combination was a step up from my Polytone minibrute IV. In truth, I used the Polytone with great satisfaction for over 30 years before switching.

wiz

**kris** · 05-18-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by wizard3739

I am using a Sadowsky/AI/Re 12 combination and am extremely happy with the tone capabilities. For my taste, this combination was a step up from my Polytone minibrute IV. In truth, I used the Polytone with great satisfaction for over 30 years before switching.

wiz

is it J.Hall model Sadowsky?
Thanks
kris

**Bill C** · 05-18-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Jim's old tone from the 50's and 60's was most definitely a tube amp...so I guess the question really has to be "Which Jim Hall tone?"

good point - "God Bless The Child" from Sonny Rollins' "The Bridge" , or "Beja Flor" from "All Across the City"?

and probably a P90(?) 175 vs a D'Aquisto laminate with a maple neck and a h/b ...

**wizard3739** · 05-18-2011, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by kris

is it J.Hall model Sadowsky?
Thanks
kris

Yes, It is a "Jim Hall Signature Model" made in 2005. I bought it used from a classical guitarist who really didn't want it. After I had it set up by a pro, (John Cotter in Phoenix), it is no doubt the best gigging guitar I have ever owned. It is truly my pride and joy.

wiz

**jzucker** · 05-18-2011, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by konstantine

Jack, have you tried that Rivera?

From what you say the Evans is not the best choice for since it has a brighter character.

I haven't tried that particular rivera but i've played through many of their tube amps which got great fendery clean sounds with great reverb.

I wouldn't rule out evans for the jim hall tone. The evans has bright character but because the treble control is so good, you can easily dial out the treble and give it the bassy character of the AI or henriksen. You can get jim hall tones out of it as well. I would say it's the closest solid state amp to a tube amp though frankly, the barber barb EQ makes some of this a moot point because you can use it with the AI or Henriksen to get proper treble controls for guitar.

**konstantine** · 05-19-2011, 06:04 AM

here is a Jm Hall clip I found today:

wizard: Do you have any clips of your Sasowsky/AI/RE setup? I'd bet the Jim Hall model should be amazing, I got the Semi-Hollow without trying it, just from Jack's (and others) recomendation.

Here is a clip with a simiar setup to yours:

It sounds great but I think it has a bit more upper-mid and high energy than what I'm looking for, but I'm sure I could dial it out.

Jack: Most SS I have played felt and sounded a little "hard" to me, I play a Roland Cube and an AER 60 at regular base but I dont like how they feel either. I guess these higher-end amps (Evans, AI, etc) sould feel better, I do like their sounds from the clips I hear though.

I like the response I get out of tube amps, but if I can have that similar quality at a smaller-lighter-cheaper package I'd better go SS, but I wont change the tone and feel quality for the reasons of ease.

On the other hand, fender's signature cleans are bright and open, and to my preference such tones are undesirable. For example, I dont like this clip for my own sound:

Does anyone have personal experience with the Jazz Suprema?

thanks to everyone that is trying to help and has replied so far.

**Tom Karol** · 05-19-2011, 08:17 PM

I had a Rivera R55-Twelve for over 10 years. Great amp for both Rock and Jazz. But it weighed almost 50 lbs, which - while certainly not excessive - is more than I want to lug around at this point. However, if you don't mind the weight, they're great amps. Channel 1 is Marshall-like and Channel 2 is Fender-like (and it can do facsimiles of both 'black-face' and 'tweed'). Pretty neat. And they're extremely well-built - rugged and reliable.

**jzucker** · 05-19-2011, 09:23 PM

i borrowed an R55 for a while and really fell in love with it. I remember it being "light" but that was probably before my spinal surgery!

**kkfan** · 05-27-2015, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by konstantine

Which amp would you choose for that dark. warm, Jim Hall-ish jazz tone?

Rivera Jazz Suprema - 55w, Tubes, 12" Speaker

Evans RE200 or JE200 combo

Acoustic Image Clarus 1 (or +) with RE Stealth 10 or 12 speaker

Pure tonal decission, without considering the weight.

Konstantine

Which amp did you finally buy? I've been looking into the new Jazz Suprema myself.

**konstantine** · 05-28-2015, 04:12 AM

I bought the Jazz Suprema, its an amazing amp with huge headroom and many controls to make it fit to your guitar and room. Unfortunately I have to sell it now because I moved to Berlin since then and I can´t carry it with the public transport and so I don't use it much, I need to find a smaller amp now.

if you have more questions let me know

**LyleGorch** · 05-28-2015, 09:08 AM

Bought the Jazz Suprema from Lou at Guitars and Jazz. 40 lbs is not heavy.

**konstantine** · 05-28-2015, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by LyleGorch

Bought the Jazz Suprema from Lou at Guitars and Jazz. 40 lbs is not heavy.

very light for a 50watt tube combo but not so for public transport!

**LyleGorch** · 05-28-2015, 03:06 PM

Look at Milkman 20w Creamer.

**kkfan** · 05-28-2015, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by LyleGorch

Bought the Jazz Suprema from Lou at Guitars and Jazz. 40 lbs is not heavy.

That's a modified version of the Rivera Jazz Suprema Single Channel, isn't it? Any idea how Lou's Surprema differs sonically from the Rivera single channel?