Taddy Porter guitarist Joe Selby plays his guitars through a Rivera Quiana 2x12 combo amp. Sebly is a big fan of the amp, which you don’t see played as frequently as some other brands.

“I think the reason you don't see a lot of players using Rivera is because they aren't as available as other amps. As much touring as we have done I've only seen one other Rivera the same model as mine. I think I've only seen three Rivera's altogether,” he says. “But they are great amps. Maybe they're all sitting in studios somewhere I don't know. Mine has two channels that sound great. I've traditionally used amp distortion and the crunch channel rocks. Both channels have a boost as well as reverb and a presence, and focus control that works like a compressor.”

Then, there is the amp’s tone.

“The clean channel sounds like a Fender and the crunch channel sounds like a Marshall,” says Selby. “You can get a great classic rock sound with it and it still has room to push if you want to go heavier.”

Selby says the amp sounds great with Les Pauls and that he has recently begun playing a Strat. It sounds great too.

How is the amp on the road? Some amps are great for the studio but not one you necessarily want to take out with you. It might be fragile or it might be heavy or it might just not sound right outside the studio.

“I've used my Rivera on the road for two years now and all I've had to do is replace some tubes, he says. “It does weigh a lot for a combo amp but it's worth it to me. I've used other amps live since I got the Rivera and every time I miss it.”

One thing that makes the Riv unique is the “Ninja” setting on the clean channel.

“This setting gives you another cool crunch sound.” says Selby.

One thing you will see people say about the amp is that it can be a little bit of a bear to dial up the tone you want. Selby concedes the point.

“I can see how people would say that because this amp has such a variety of tones and settings," he says. "But that's also the reason I like it. I like having the flexibility of changing my tone from night to night or even song to song.”

Taddy Porter are working on a new record and plan on playing a few shows here and there. They are going to add a piano to the live show as well. Their latest single, Long Slow Drag, came out March 7.