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The idea of using a low-powered valve amp to get an overdriven power stage sound at home volume doesn't work - even 5W is way, way too loud. Even 1W is pushing it unless the speaker is very inefficient. Worse, most low-powered amps have very limited tone controls so you can't dial them in as you need to at low volume.
You're far better off with a big amp with a good master volume (they do exist) and enough EQ to shape the sound without the power stage needing to be overdriven, at which point you lose control of it.
I am also not at all a fan of muddy-sounding amps, as you can probably guess - I don't like shrill sounds, but I hate amps with no clarity even more since it's usually harder to fix...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Spend the rest on a nice holiday.
just snap up my Rivera already! Then I can snap up @jellybelly ‘s TVL Yamaha, the planets can re-align and everybody can be about their business.
As @ICBM says, overdriven power stage at home is not achievable - unless you use something like one of the Torpedo devices into studio monitors which kind of defeats the object.
Purely for home use, a lot of those options listed are way overpowered. Even on clean sounds, you will be fiddling around at one on the volume control.
I'd look at a Princeton Reverb reissue with a MIAB (Marshall in a box) type pedal for drive.
If you do want something Marshall flavoured, then you will need a drive channel or pedals for home volumes anyway so make sure it has a drive channel you like, or has a good clean sound.
Exactly this.
For fantastic gain tones at home volume nothing beats the JCA22h in my opinion.
If you want the Marshall tone and one of the best master volumes in the business they are hard to beat...just a bit pricey...
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/117673/fs-carls-custom-guitars-volume-box#latest
Check the used section on their website it might still be there.
Edit:.......It is !!!
https://www.coda-music.com/secondhand/mesa-boogie-rectoverb-25-112-combo-secondhand.html
If the badge on the Rivera said 'Mesa' or 'Fender' or 'Marshall' or 'trendy boutique-amp-of-the-day' instead, then it would have gone a long time ago.
Stunning amps. I would have gone for it had I not been waiting on a custom build (NAD tomorrow!) and had some spare cash.
Cheers,
Adam
The thing I like about the Mesa is that it does a high-gain souped up Marshall thing without sounding like a Marshall or like a Mesa. Slip the red channel to 'modern' and it'll do the Dave Grohl Mesa signature chunk thing all day long, but I never use that mode.
In 'vintage' mode, it sounds like what I thought an amp should sound like all these years without being a slavish impersonation of 'Slash on Appetite...' or any such. Blackstar's valve stuff comes near but not that last 10%. To be fair it's also a third of the price like for like so no criticism there .
I always fancied a Rivera or a VHT for the same reason, I've heard both in use and they wail. The only reason I went for the Mesa instead is weight, pure and simple. If that Rivera was an 8kg lunchbox head I'd be all over it like a rash.
Adam
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...
I really think you'll have an itch that needs scratching until you own a (good) Marshall.
Bad Marshall - 30th Anniversary, JTM30/60, JCM600, DSL (old series, made in UK), TSL, Valvestate AVT series, Mode Four, Haze series, MA series, Class 5, Vintage Modern.
Yes, I know very well that some people will have used models in the second list with no trouble, but I would strongly recommend not buying one if you don't want potential problems. The sound is a different question, totally a matter of taste.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Honestly and its not just me who has suggested it, you will be extremely hard pushed to do any better. I have no skin in the game, I don't know the seller. I just thought I'd offer a suggestion. Can't see why you haven't jumped on it to be fair!
The yard is nothing but a fence, the sun just hurts my eyes...