In general, I don't go for tons of knobs. My logic is that if you can't get a good sound with basic controls, keep shopping. I feel the same way about two-channel amps: I look for the best clean tone and figure I can always use a pedal. But Rivera has really changed my thinking about "full featured" amplifiers. They've found a way to maintain the clarity and depth of a simple no-frills amp while providing a host of tone shaping possibilities. The clean channel delivers sweet blackface spank with great touch sensitivity and clarity. There is that characteristic Rivera warmth, but it's easily tweaked for brighter sounds without any harshness. The 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble) offers an unusually wide range of tone shaping, and there is also a pull bright and a pull notch feature. The pull notch is great for adding real snap to a Strat or lightening up a humbucker. Flipping the Vintage/Modern to Vintage (half power) serves up mild power tube break-up at very usable volume levels. It's a cool clean-but-not-clean sound, very responsive to pick attack and perfect for Blues and Roots Rock. The Lead/Crunch channel dishes out a wide range of warm bluesy overdrive via the gain, master volume and 3-band EQ. In regular mode the sound is British along the lines of old 'Stones or James Gang. Pulling the boost function unleashes giant California tones that are thoroughly modern and tight. Dial down the midrange control and a totally scooped metal tone is yours. As with the clean channel, the EQ controls are super effective and musical. Other thoughtful features include: Tube driven spring Reverb that is channel assignable, global presence and reverb controls, effects loop with adjustable send return, "Focus" control which adjusts damping for a tighter/looser sound, extension speaker jacks with variable output impedance, and heavy duty footswitch with channel select, boost enable and reverb. The Venus 5 really nails California and British tones in one package, even if you forget to bring your pedals!
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