Biting the Rivera TBR Bullet

[7 Dying Trees]

So, this weekend, after everything going wrong for a week I walked into the second hand gear shop. Still there, maybe try it again. Still beat up, but may as well.

So dragged it out of it's dusty corner, and for some bizarre reason the gain channel worked, it hadn't last time, so I'd left it, not being sure. The clean sounded good, but without hearing the gain, a bit risky...

So anyway, plugged in an axe, and bloody hell! Sweetness indeed , so there and then the card came out and I found myself the owner of this fine piece of equipment. The guy that sold me it was a bit upset, he's been eyeing it for ages, and was planning to get it himself, but hey, he gave me a very good deal on it in my opinion so...

So yes! I now have a Rivera TBR1 , it's loud, and since I got it home the gain channel won't select itsself, but hey, it was dirt cheap. So next weekend I take it back to get it fixed. It needs the channel select sorting out (pot is bent, so no push/pull) and the reverb won't come on (but that pot is bent, it clicks, but I think it needs to go in a bit further not sure)

Apart from that, the gain channel will need a bit of help with an overdrive (unless I am doing something wrong) to smooth it out, but it's nice without, just for my tastes a bit more would be nice

Also, it's missing the footswitch, so next up is finding out how to build/wire something so I can control it in the rack, as that'd be nice. No footswitch, but if I can get it working with another piece of gear's switch controls and some neat wiring that'd be good.

So anyway, as questions to those that own them:
->Wat kind of pin does the foot switch have?
->Wat switching capabuility does it have?
->Wat do you use to boost the gain of the lead channel (if you do at all)?
->Any favorite settings you'd want to share?
->Any other advice hints tips and tricks?

I am also going to look for a manual tomorrow, as I think it may be usefull

But I'm happy Still going to use the triaxis, but piezo's sound sweet through that second channel

James

[Kevan]

James- PRINT THIS IMMEDIATELY!
http://www.rivera.com/user_manuals.htm
(Make sure you have plenty of paper in the printer; It's about 30 pages)

Next, congrats! Welcome to Rivera Tone! :-) You're gonna love it, once you get the little stuff fixed. Replacing pots and switches in the TBR's is an easy task (I did a few of mine; that should tell you something. LOL). Customer Svc. is tops in the industry. I'm not sure about overseas, but if you need parts and the locals are draggin' their feet, feel free to email/IM me and I can get them forwarded to you quickly.

As far as settings go, you'll have to play around with it for a day or two (or three, or four. LOL). Bob and Chris might have some favorites. During our move, all my knobs changed, so....I don't have my setup available. Sorry. There are some 'example' settings in the TBR manual you're printing. That's a good starting point. The TRI will help you get that extra gain you're looking for. Also, check the tubes. If you have the cash, re-tube the badboy with the good stuff from www.TubeStore.com. Great folks over there too.

Congrats again man! Don't let Simon hog it. :-)

[Kremlin]

First off, congrats! Nice amp there.

And second, dammit! I've been looking everywhere for a TBR-1SL for about 6 months and I've only seen one that went on Ebay and the guy refused to ship to Canada.

[vaijem777]

Congrats, and welcome to the Club! I'm the extremely proud owner of both a TBR-1SL and a TBR-2SL. The 1SL is my favorite, but both kick some serious a$$! I haven't really had any issues with either of mine to speak of, but I have spoken with Paul Rivera Sr. a couple of times in regards to some minor questions. KILLER tech support, and very easy to deal with! Kevan has dealt with them quite a bit, and could certainly help you out as well.

My 1SL didn't come with a footswitch, so I just ordered one directly from Rivera for $90. It controls the FX loop, reverb and channel switching. I've since re-wired it and added a 1/4" stereo jack so that I can channel switch with my G-Major. I'd be more than happy to walk you through the simple wiring of that mod. As for the standard pins though, I believe it's an 8-pin connection. I've got all of the wire color codes somewhere and will post them if I can find them.

Rock on!

[7 Dying Trees]

Now after having had a look at the rivera site I am a bit confused. I thought I had a TBR1, but the front panel they have up there isn't the same, and the one I have has a front panel that looks like the TBR2-SL one.

Now I also don't have any of the pots on the rear, the only things on there are the following:

two outputs for both power amps, one send and two return jacks as well as one direct out. It also has the footswitch connector. But no pots or those rocker switches.

So I am a bit confused now as to what it really is...

Can anyone help?

Am going to print out the manual to have a look and see if there's any clues in there...

[rilla]

The TBR was the original rivera (i believe), so came in various different versions as it evolved.... the only major difference between the TBR1 and 2 is the wattage, so theres not really much point worrying bout it

as for the boost, i use mine to go from a mid heavy Vox-ish sound to a vai type sound - tho im starting to yearn for a more marshally type tone.. i swap around quite a bit, think i need another one ...

(or maybe a nice TBR to sit on top of the combo.... what an idea...)

[vaijem777]

The TBR wasn't really the "original" Rivera, but they were available in several configurations. I'm at a loss as to why yours is lacking the rocker switches for selecting the Power Class and the Direct Recording level controls. Of the several TBR-1s & 2s that I've seen, they've all had these features. The TBRs became available in '88 or so, and were, to some extent, "custom made". For example, my TBR-2SL was factory-biased with EL34's, as opposed to the standard EL-84's that Kevan's is set for. The TBR-1 & 2 are essentially the same, with the exception of both wattage, and the fact that the TBR-1 has a 3-say Standby switch on the front: UP is "High Output", middle is "Standby" and down is "Low Output". These, used in conjunction with the Power Class (Class A & A/B) switches on the back of the amp basically give the same power section flexibility that the Mesa Mark IV offers. The TBR-2 simply has a dedicated "Standby" switch on the front.

I've been able to get every possible type of overdrive out of my TBRs, using the (2) push/pull gain pots on the lead channel. I do use a TS-808 though as a "third" channel in my TBR-1SL rack setup.

Your best bet is going to be to give Rivera a call directly. They should be able to answer your questions about the missing switches/controls on the back, and should be able to help you out with any replacement parts that you might need as well.

[Kevan]

??of corrections to Chris' post.

The TBR's were the first *manufactured* amps to come from Rivera. Paul Rivera Sr. had done MANY custom jobbies while at Fend*r and after he left, but before Rivera started. Next time I get the HONOR of talking with him, I'll try to get a quick lineage.

My TBR-2-SL came from the factory with 6550 tubes (not EL84). But, as Chris stated, these were custom ordered, so when you called up and said "I want a TBR-2-SL", they asked "What tube configuration?". I think that was about the only option available. :-)

Another difference between the TBR-1 and TBR-2 is the amount of tubes inside. The TBR-2-SL has (8) power tubes; the TBR-1-SL has (4) power tubes. This would explain some of the wattage differences, and if your neighbors either dislike you, or just plain hate you. LOL

I think dropping a wah and a TS-9 or TS-808 in front would be enough for 90% of the guitarists out there.

A quick way to determine TBR-1 from TBR-2 is to check the color of the switches on the front.
-TBR-1= Red switch that lights up, black switch that does NOT light up.
-TBR-2= Red switch that lights up, green switch that lights up.
Why? I haven't a clue. Maybe it was for the super-tech guy in the 29th row wondering what amp Nugent was running. LOL

James- any chances of gettings pics of the front, back and serial number of your TBR? That would REALLY help out.

[vaijem777]

[quote="Kevan

My TBR-2-SL came from the factory with 6550 tubes (not EL84). But, as Chris stated, these were custom ordered, so when you called up and said "I want a TBR-2-SL", they asked "What tube configuration?". I think that was about the only option available. :-) [/quote]

Duh!

That IS my huge oversight...I was thinking of my Matchless amps that I had, which had EL-84's. I recall being pretty concerned when I got my TBR-2SL and it didn't have 6550s in it! Kevan calmed me down though after finding that they were available with whatever tubes the customer wanted.

Thanks for the clarification, Kev!

[7 Dying Trees]

I'm going to try and get some pictures of it, but by going by the rocker switches I have a feeling it's a TBR2, as there's one red on/off, and a green standby switch(on/off). It also seriously hurt my ears as well

It's also damn loud.

Apart from that, I don't think it has the gain boost on it, but really am not sure. WIll have to either get some pictures, develop them and scan them in or just list the entir fron and back panel control wise. Not even got a clue as to what valves it should/shouldn't have in it...

I am taking it to get fixed up, so if there are any mods easily doable to it it would be cool, especially more gain on the lead channel would be nice, although I can always wait with that one for a while

James

[7 Dying Trees]

No idea if this will help, but could it be the back panel got replaced? I assume that both the TBR's would have two fans rearmounted in front of each set of power valves, yet there is only one mounted in the rear. Could it be that part of the chassis has been replaced, or an early model?

I think pictures would definetly do a world of good so I'll try and get some of it.

[vaijem777]

Actually, the TBR-1SL only has a single fan. The TBR-2s have dual fans though. However, my TBR-2SL does have the Power Class rocker switches and direct recording level controls on the back. I suppose that it's possible that the backplate was replaced, but...they would have had to have removed those features as well I think. Perhaps it's a TBR-2 Standard model?

As for the correct tubes...chances are that whatever is in it right now is what it needs. There were a few different tube options available, but they should be either EL34s or 6550s. Although it's entirely possible that it could have been re-biased for 6L6s somewhere down the road as well.

[Kevan]

James- take a look at these pics and tell us which one most resembles the face of your amp:

TBR-1
TBR-2
TBR-3

Chris is dead on about the fans:
TBR-1= (1) 80mm fan.
TBR-2= (2) 80mm fans.
TBR-3= (1) 80mm fan.
TBR-5= (2) 80mm fans.

Another easy way to tell is to pop the hood. By removing the top cover of the amp you can get a proper tube count; it's ok to do this, just don't go poking around inside with a big ol' screwdriver. Here are the diagrams for counting tubes and matching up your model:

TBR-1
TBR-2
TBR-3
TBR-5

Lastly, I found these little notes at the bottom of the TBR manual:
"(*1) The original TBR-2 came standard with EL-34s, and power output was rated at 120 Watts. After serial number 92003, 655OAs were used, and the power rating increased to 160 Watts.
....and....
"(*2 )After serial number 91500, all TBR-1, TBR-3, and TBR-5 amplifiers came with POWER CLASS switches and hi/low standby switches. Check your serial number. That might do some major explaining.

BTW- the link to the TBR manual changed. THIS is the proper link. Just click and print. :-)

[7 Dying Trees]

Well, without having opened it up, the front panel definetly resembles the TBR2 link as above, although it has TBR1 above the switches. It also only has one fan. Where do I find the serial number? It had a piece of tape on it with a number attached, which just makes it a bit weirder...

Anyhow...

Will try and get some pictures, might also try to open it up...

James

[vwall]

I happen to have the footswitch that goes to that amp.

let me know if intersted.

scott