Ultimate Short Stack
KR-100 6L6 Top with K412T and Sub 2
100+ Watts,4-12” Vintage 30’s,500W2-12” JBL Powered Sub
Knucklehead Series
Sonic Boom
Rivera Kuncklehead Reverb with 4x12 and Lobottom Sub 2
By Eric Kirkland
There are a lot of high-gain heads on the market, but few of them can create
more than one useable sound. The Rivera Knucklehead Reverb is a fullfea-
tured tone machine that allows you to control practically every aspect of its
performance using its host of sound and power options, built-in MIDI control
and three uniquely voiced channels. For foundation-shaking bass, the Los
Lobottom Sub 2 delivers a colisum-crumbling low end that redefines the gui-
tar's role and presence in the mix.
Features
Peer through the Knucklehead's metal grille and you'll we the four 6L6s and
five 12AX7s chat create its 100 watts of sweet tone and immense distortion.
In addition to the rocker-style power and standby ,witches, the front panel has
a row of knobs, nearly each of which has a push or pull option. Each channel
has gain and master controls and is activated by pushing the appropriate
gain knob Pushing the master control each channel engages the boost.
Channel 1 has its own bass, middle and treble controls, and pull knobs for
brightness, notched midrange and contour. Channels 2 and 3 share a reverb
control and a three-band EQ; pulling the midrange knob scoops the mids.
Other features on the front panel include high- and low-gain inputs and con-
trols for presence, sub level (which functions when the Knucklehead is con-
nected to a Rivera subwoofer and focus. This latter control is rather amaz-
ing: it allows you to alter the speakers' response from loose to tight. This is
especially useful for matching to players' styles and various speaker and
cabinet types.
The features and tone options don't stop on the control panel. The back
panel has a low impedance-buffered series-parallel effects loop with controls
for send, return and blend There are also two speaker jacks, a subwoofer
output, a recording output and a three-position impedance selector. A stan-
dard MIDI input and output are Provided, and there's a separate input for the
Rivera MIDI Headmaster footswitch. Tone and power can be altered using
die vintage/modem power switch, which toggles between triode and pentode
output, and the high/low power switch, which cuts the wattage in half. In the
triode/low power mode this beast can actually be tamed to a tasty 12 watts!
Sound Department
We tested the EL-34- and 61-6-equipped Knucklehead amps with a Rivera
Vintage 30-loaded 4x12 and the 500-watt powered Los LobottoinSub 2,
which can operate in full-range or highpass modes. The basic difference
between the two heads is in the midrange. While the 6L6 version has a near
perfect balance in all channels, the EL-34 model delivers undeniable chime
and vocal attack. I preferred to run the subwoofer in high-pass mode, so that
the true lows reached it. Whether at low or high volume, this hefty cabinet
adds an addictive dimensionality and depth that will complement any style.
The Knucklehead's first channel, through abundant EQ and power options,
creates tones that range from sparkling clean to tweedlike overdrive.
Channel 2 covers everything from driving blues to hard rock, bringing British
grind and crunch to life, with some of Rivera's own spice giving the highs
added zing. The third channel goes right for the throat, with chainsaw
aggression and nail-spitting drive. Boasting a dynamic response and plenty
of cut, this is easily one of the most terrifying and playable ultrahigh-gain
channels available. The only flaw is the Knucklehead's short tank reverb,
which accentuates the highs rather than affect the entire spectrum.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Rivera Knucklehead Reverb blazes a new trail for high-gain heads with
a remarkable clean channel, load-, of features, an intelligent user interface
and MIDI control. Add in the thunderous Sub 2 and you've got a massive
tone delivery system with an unmatched sonic footprint.
Guitar World - Feb. 2003
6 User Programmable
and assignable switches, arranged
in 5 banks, with 16 simultaneous
MIDI program change commands
possible.
3 Digit 8 Segment
Super Bright Display
3 Auxilary TRS DPDT
Relay Switches for
other amps and effects.
Self-Powered by the
Knucklehead Reverb
Regulated 12VDC-100Ma.
outlet for powering
your stomp boxes.
Convenient Bank selection
MIDI Out and
KR Amp Connection
using standard
5 Pin MIDI Cables
Easy to Program
®
(3 pages)
(5 pages)
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