OWNERS MANUAL Version 1.0 December, 2001 Knucklehead Reverb 1.
Introduction Your Rivera Amp Is An Important Part Of Your Sound Your sound is your signature, your mark, your voice. An amp only deserves to have your guitar plugged into it if it can deliver the tone you want—and, of course, the dependability you need. It's as simple as that. And it's exactly why you bought your RIVERA amp. For that, we thank you, and we're confident that you'll enjoy your amp for years to come.
Packing Information Unpacking Before you plug in, inspect your Knucklehead Reverb amp for any damage. Your amp was inspected and sound-tested before shipment, but transportation can sometimes be tough. Check that the Head Master MIDI Controller and power cord have been shipped with the amp. If parts are missing, or if any damage has occurred, contact your dealer. Packing Materials We designed the original box and packing materials to protect your amp during shipment. Save them.
you have the correct power cord. Our 230-volt export unit can be used with any of these voltages. For the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, we build a special 250V version able to handle higher Mains voltages. For Japan 100 VAC models, all instructions for the 115 VAC models apply. In the event that you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact us at: Rivera Research & Development Corporation 13310 Ralston Ave.
Quick Start Settings If you're looking for a good starting point, try these settings. Remember that every guitar and speaker cabinet sounds different, so try both inputs, and adjust the Focus and Presence to suit your taste. These diagrams include settings for the Subwoofer. If the Sub is NOT used, set the SUB LEVEL to 1 and PUSH it in.
Clean Deluxe – Use Low Gain Input MASTER MIDDLE PULL PULL 76 98 543 8 765 10 65 BASS PUSH BRIGHT CHANNEL 1 432 7 6 87 98 321 17069 7 36 4 58 54 1 10 543 10 9 98 PULL 98 1 10 PULLED CONTOUR NOTCH 21 SUB LEVEL PULL 21 10 9 PULLED PULL 432 43 25 1 PULLED 1 10 BOOST 876 PRESENCE FOCUS HI-PASS 120 91 8 432 432 765 765 PUSH 1 POWER AMPLIFIER PULL 10 9 PULLED TREBLE GAIN PULL PUSH Austin Blues – Use High Gain Input MIDDLE 87 654 9 10 1 98 10 6
New Metal Crunch – Use High Gain Input PULLED 1 21 10 9 87 76 8 10 9 43 9 5 21 9 987 32 MIDDLE 10 10 TREBLE MASTER 3 10 9 8 65 SUB LEVEL 543 21 21 21 PRESENCE FOCUS 876 10 654 87 654 543 10 9 PUSH CHANNEL 3 321 10 9 PULL SCOOP 76 PUSH BOOST 321 543 543 876 876 PULL HI-PASS BASS 4 POWER AMPLIFIER GAIN Lead – Use High Gain Input PUSHED PULLED 98 10 876 10 9 1 10 9 54 432 21 876 10 32 1 765 10 9 MIDDLE TREBLE MASTER 3 54 21 SUB LEVEL 87
Gain (with channel-select Push-Switch) The Gain knob regulates the Preamp's volume and works with the Master to set the level and distortion amount. A simple rule of thumb is, the higher the Gain is set, the more distortion you get. Treble (with Pull Bright switch) This Treble control is similar in operation to the one on Channel 2/3. In addition, it has a built-in Pull Bright switch. When pulled out, it adds bright highlights to the tone.
Gain (with channel-select Push-Switch) Although it's labeled "Gain," this control does a lot more than determine how loud Channel 2 is. It regulates the Preamp's volume and works with the Master to set the level and distortion amount. A simple rule of thumb is, the higher the Gain is set, the more distortion you get. The push switch selects which channel is active. Its circuitry is designed so that you don't hear a loud pop or click when the channel is changed.
Sub Level Output (with high pass Pull-Switch) This control is a RIVERA exclusive feature. This control varies the output level of the Sub Woofer output circuitry the feeds a full range low source impedance signal to Sub Woofer Output jack (see rear panel features) to an external Powered Sub, like our Sub 1 or Sub 2 powered Sub Woofer cabinets.
Rear Panel 76 Z OUT 560 Ω Z IN 250K Ω LOOP BLEND RIVERA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORP. SYLMAR, CA, USA 91342 SUB OUTPUT RECORDING OUTPUT PUSH LOOP IMPEDANCE SELECTOR 100W. RMS SPEAKER JACKS IN PARALLEL 8 4 43 21 5 43 5 43 21 SPEAKER 2 Z OUT 560 Ω Z OUT 560 Ω CAUTION: CHASSIS SURFACE HOT. CAUTION SPEAKER 1 USE FIRST TOTAL MIN.
Midi Cables For The Special Combo Connector Even though the MIDI specification only defines three pins, most manufacturers of MIDI cables provide all five wires. This means that most normal MIDI cables will work correctly in the special connector. However, if you find a MIDI cable that only has 3 wires, it will not work. A Few Thoughts On Non-Standard Connectors When we designed the Head Master, we faced a difficult decision.
The Midi Channel Selector Switch 3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14 2 10 7 8 9 15 0 1 The Knucklehead uses a rotary switch to select the MIDI channel. It is a high quality switch, and is much easier to use than the DIP switches used by some manufacturers. Unfortunately, it is numbered in a way that can create confusion. As shown on the diagram, the switch is numbered from 0-15.
How far do you have to walk to get to your OWN house? Since you are already standing in front of your house, you have to walk ZERO house units away. Zero is the starting point, you move from zero some number of units. Programmers frequently deal with lists of things. The same logic applies to these lists. If you are looking at the first item in a list, how far do you have to move to look at the second? You have to move ONE unit.
The Effects Loop comes after the Preamp section. In addition, it's low-impedance circuitry lets you drive everything from the simplest stomp-box effect to the most sophisticated pro signal processor with excellent results. It's also fully buffered, meaning that it can drive long cords and line-level gear and mixing consoles. (Because the signal is electrically unbalanced, you can use an unbalanced-to-balanced output transformer to connect to equipment requiring a balanced input.
Sub Woofer Output Jack This jack is primarily designed to drive a powered subwoofer. The signal produced at this jack has all of the EQ from the preamp, but NO effects. Its level is controlled by the SUB LEVEL control on the front panel. It is NOT low-pass filtered! It provides the FullFrequency signal to the subwoofer, the subwoofer must handle any low-pass filtering.
Warning: The Knucklehead is designed and rated to drive loads of 4 ohms and greater. If you use a speaker combination whose impedance is between 2 and 4 ohms, the amplifier may overheat. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ever use a load lower that 2 ohms!. Warning: Loads that are not matched properly may harm your amp. If you aren't sure if your speaker load is correct, contact your RIVERA dealer, or call RIVERA Customer Service. If unequal speaker cabinets loads, i.e.
Power Output switch Between the use of the High Power/Low Power positions in combination with the use of the Vintage-Modern Switch, 4 different output voltages can be accessed: 100 Watt Versions Power Output Modern High 100W 50W Low 25W 12W 55 Watt Versions Power Output Modern High 55W 30W Low 12W 8W Vintage Vintage The actual high voltages as well as the bias voltage is changed when switching between High and Low Power setting.
Mains Fuse This AC line fuse protects your amplifier from damage due to shorts, momentary surges, and defective power tubes. In the event of a fuse failure, always replace it with the same type of fuse. For 100VAC 55 versions, the Mains Fuse is: 3 Amp, 250 Volt Slo-Blo type (size 3AG, or MDL). For 100 versions, the Mains Fuse is: 5 Amp, 250 Volt Slo-Blo type (size 3AG, or MDL). For 115VAC 55 versions, the Mains Fuse is: 3 Amp, 250 Volt Slo-Blo type (size 3AG, or MDL).
Mains Input Your Knucklehead Reverb has a detachable power cord that connects to the chassis AC connector labeled Mains Input. Always use this cord and, in the event that the power cord requires replacement, replace it with the same type of power cord. Consult your RIVERA dealer for further information. Be sure to use a grounded electrical mains power supply socket whenever possible. These outlets have a grounding pin in addition to the normal line and neutral pin.
MIDI Control Overview The Rivera Knucklehead Amp has a MIDI interface, and many functions can be MIDI controlled. The amp responds to MIDI Program Change Commands only. It can be controlled by the Rivera Head Master foot operated MIDI controller or by any standard MIDI controller. You must, however, choose one or the other. The amp cannot be controlled by two controllers at one time.
MIDI Program Change Charts Channel 1 Combinations CHANNEL 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 BOOST 1 BOOST 2 OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON BOOST 3 OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON REVERB OFF OFF ON ON OFF OF
Channel 2 Combinations CHANNEL 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 BOOST 1 BOOST 2 OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON BOOST 3 OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON REVERB OFF OFF ON ON OFF OFF ON ON OFF OFF ON ON OFF OFF
Channel 3 Combinations CHANNEL 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 BOOST 1 BOOST 2 OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON BOOST 3 OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON REVERB OFF OFF ON ON OFF OFF ON ON OFF OFF ON ON OFF O
Separate Functions CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 TOGGLE CH1 BOOST TOGGLE CH2 BOOST TOGGLE CH3 BOOST TOGGLE REVERB TOGGLE FX TOGGLE ACTIVE CH BOOST 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 Example Configurations The following illustrations will help you to properly connect your to other amps, extension speaker cabinets, and recording and P.A. gear. Make sure the amp and all other gear are turned off whenever you make or change any connections. Driving one extension speaker cabinet IMPEDANCE SELECTOR 100W.
Note: Regardless of the type or number of speaker cabinets you use, always make sure that the Impedance Selector is set to match the speaker cabinet's total impedance load. Driving two speaker cabinets IMPEDANCE SELECTOR 100W. RMS SPEAKER JACKS IN PARALLEL 8Ω 8Ω 4 8 16 SPEAKER 2 SPEAKER 1 USE FIRST TOTAL MIN. Z 4 Ω In this configuration, the Knucklehead Reverb is driving two speaker cabinets with identical impedances.
Running two amps in parallel without a Y-cord INPUTS LOW GAIN INPUTS HIGH GAIN HIGH GAIN LOW GAIN FROM GUITAR The Preamp and output amp sections, as well as all controls, function normally in this setup. Use a shielded cord. Note: Make sure that at least one speaker cabinet is connected to both amps unless you desire to use the Preamp sections only, in which case leave the Standby switch in the “Off” position.
Other approaches: If you are using the Effects Loop for effects, try the Sub Output. If you are also using a subwoofer, try the Recording Output If the second amp is a separate power amp or has power amp inputs, you can use them instead of the Effects Return.
Using a Stereo Signal Processor with Two Amps MASTER PLUG YOUR GUITAR HERE SLAVE STEREO EFFECT RETURN LOOP BLEND 543 10 9 76 RETURN LEVEL Z OUT 560 Ω Z OUT 560 Ω PUSH LOOP 1 EFFECTS LOOP SEND 32 INPUT 8 1 32 76 8 10 9 Z IN 250K Ω 54 21 Z OUT 560 Ω RIGHT OUTPUT Z IN 250K Ω 876 10 9 10 9 LEFT OUTPUT 21 543 SUB OUTPUT 876 LOOP BLEND 21 RETURN LEVEL 10 9 RETURN 543 876 EFFECTS LOOP SEND 54 SEND LEVEL PUSH LOOP TO SUBWOOFER Using shielded cords, connect the Effects Lo
Sending a direct signal to P.A. or recording gear RECORDING OUTPUT IMPEDANCE SELECTOR 100W. RMS SPEAKER JACKS IN PARALLEL LINE INPUT 16 4 8 SPEAKER 2 Z OUT 560 Ω SPEAKER 1 USE FIRST TOTAL MIN. Z 4 Ω TO SPEAKER CABINET Using a shielded cord, connect the 's Recording Out to the line input or channel input of a mixer or recorder. (The signal comes from the amp's Preamp section, so all tone, distortion, and overdrive characteristics are included.
Care And Troubleshooting Don't monkey with it Chances are, you bought your RIVERA amp to make your guitar sound great, not to improve your skills with electronics. What we're saying is, "If something ever goes wrong with your amp, don't try to fix it yourself." There are some potentially lethal high voltages inside the amp, plus if you do something that causes even more damage than when you started out, the person who does the real repair will probably tell you, "Hey, I know what's wrong.
Clean your amp once in a while. You can use a damp but not wet cloth, or one moistened in a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and water to wipe off grime, dried Pepsi, Beer, and whatever else accumulates on the vinyl covering. If you use Gaffers or Duct Tape to hold Picks on the surface of the Knucklehead Reverb and you need to remove the adhesive, use a small amount of Rubbing Alcohol on a soft cloth, then wipe off the residual with a soap/water solution. Make sure the amp is unplugged first.
Note: On SEMKO-CE 230/250-volt models, there are two additional T 1.6A (250-volt Slo-Blo type, 5mm x 20mm) fuses and one T 10A (100 Watt Version) or one T 8A (55 Version) (250-volt Slo-Blo type, 5mm x 20mm) fuse located internally. These protect the amp's output tube filaments and should only be replaced by qualified service personnel. y When this fuse opens, the output tubes will not light up, and this is usually due to a Mains Voltage surge, or a shorted output tube.
Here's a brief description of what each tube does: V1 Input buffer and tone control driver for Channel 1, and also the first Preamp stage of Channel 2 and Channel 3 V2 Tone control follower for Channel 1 and an additional gain stage for Channel 2 and Channel 3.
Turn off the amp, and allow the tubes to cool. Now pull out the troublesome tube and replace it with one of the same value (that is, if you're pulling out a 12AX7, replace it with a 12AX7). Make sure that the tube is oriented correctly when pulling it out or putting it back in. If you look at the end of the tube and the socket, you'll notice that the nine pins are arranged in an incomplete circle. Always make sure the pins are aligned correctly. Never force a tube into its socket.
When the tubes have cooled, remove them. Replace all power tubes. (Don't throw away good tubes from the old set, though—save them as spares!) Install the rear grille. General information about tube types. Your Knucklehead Reverb has been shipped from the factory with either 6L6GC or EL34 Output Tubes. On the rear Grille, the factory fitted Tube Type is labeled. It is also indicated in the last 2 digits of the serial number. The Tubes are graded and matched. The value is labeled on the base of the tube.
Recently, Svetlana, JJ/Teslalovac, and Ruby Chinese are in production with decent 6L6GC Tubes. We use mostly Svetlana, and advise you replace your 6L6GC tubes with this brand. You can use Rivera matched 6L6GC Duets or Quartets, and replace with the same rating number (found on the label at the base of the tubes) with re-biasing not required. Generally speaking, we are quite conservative in our high voltage that we supply to the output stage. Reliability is quite high as well as tube life is extended.
Amplifier Biasing information. All Rivera amplifiers except for our 25th Anniversary model (this model is cathode biased) are class AB. These amps have a bias adjustment potentiometer located on the motherboard in the chassis. This requires removal of the chassis from the cabinet. This must be done by a qualified technician or authorized repairman. WARNING: We do not advise any owner of our amplifiers to remove the chassis from the cabinet as dangerous and possibly lethal voltages exist in this chassis.
Biasing Instructions: Bias Adjustment Pot Test Points Black and White Wires Place amplifier on a stable surface. Remove rear Tube Grille on cabinet. Disconnect Reverb Cables plugged into the Jack on the chassis surface. Remove the 8 chassis mounting bolts from the bottom side of the cabinet. Place the chassis open side up on the workbench. Be careful not to damage the power tubes. Measure your AC Mains voltage. If you have a Variac, adjust the Mains voltage for whatever the amp is labeled for, i.e.
Make sure that nothing is plugged into speaker Jack #1. Place a appropriate load on Speaker Jack #2 if this is possible. If not, you will be ok as there will be no signal present. No signal of any source should be plugged into the front panel input jacks or the rear panel effects loop jacks. Turn the amp on. Make sure that the High/Low Power switch is in the “High” position, and the Standby switch is in the “On” position. After the tubes warm up, observe the idle current.
Specifications High-gain input impedance: 1 Megohm Low-gain input impedance: 33k ohms Output impedance: Selectable, 4 ohms, 8 ohms, or 16 ohms Recording Output impedance: 560 ohms minimum Sub Woofer Output impedance: 560 ohms minimum Effects Loop Send Output impedance: 560 ohms minimum Effects Loop Return Input impedance: 10k ohms minimum Total harmonic distortion: 5% at rated power Bandwidth: 50 Hz to 20kHz Preamp tubes: Five 12AX7A Output tubes: Four EL-34 or 6L6GC (100 Version), or Two El-34 or 6L6GC (55
Dimensions and Weight Height: 10" Width: 27-1/2" Depth: 11" Weight: 60 lbs for 100 Version, and 53 lbs for 55 Version. Cabinet material: 3/4" and 5/8"-thick Birch Plywood Cabinet thickness: 3/4" Construction: Dadoed joints Covering: 30-oz. viny Cleaning of vinyl covering: Moist cloth, dishwashing liquid Knucklehead Reverb 1.
Warranty Subject to the Obligations and Exclusions found below, this RIVERA product is warranted against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship for the period of one (1) year from the date of purchase, with the exception of tubes, which carry no warranty, and loudspeaker drivers, which are covered for 90 days. The warranty period commences on the date of purchase by the original user.
territory. Also, the warranty term and conditions may be different from those stated above. Please contact the RIVERA distributor or dealer in your country for more information. 7. The foregoing is in lieu of all other expressed warranties, and RIVERA does not authorize any party to assume for it any other obligation or liability.
