I purchased the G50-112 II model from a pawn shop with my first guitar. When I plugged in the LP with this amp, my hair stood up on end. I knew right then, I needed that amp with this guitar. This amp has a warmth to it with an LP styled guitar that I cannot explain, you just need to hear it. Thank the music gods for pawn shops. Helps garage bands to still exist in this digital age..Rock and Roll will never die!
I found one of these amps on the side of the road. Someone put it out for trash. I grabbed it fast. I was heading to work with my nice shoes and tie. And remember it was heavy AF to lift. When I took it to get repaired, the tech said the speakers 🔊 were worth more than the amp itself. They have 2x12 Mesa Boogies. It has a very unique clean sound. I’m keeping this B!
Thank you, Paul! Great video. Around 1981, I bought one of these new at a little music shop a friend of mine worked at. He said I had to come in and check out these great new amps from Yamaha. I had sold a very heavy Music Man 212-130HD a while earlier, and wanted something smaller and lighter. I got the G-50 112-ll. IIRC, I paid $179 for it. Shortly after, I joined a cover band and played many wedding and VFW gigs, and made a lot of money with that amp. I ended up selling it when I went into acoustic music exclusively. Fast forward 35 years to Covid. I wanted to play electric again. I started the search about six months ago, and just could not find a clean one locally. About a month ago, I bought a MK1 instead. Paid $240. It sounds great. One week later (of course), I see a clean Mkll at a GC near me. Flew over there and bought it after a short workout. Very nice, and with all knobs perfect and the original FS. $450, they gave me $50 off. Expensive? We’ll, not really. These will continue to appreciate, especially given their link to Paul Rivera. While the MKll is more versatile, the MK1 clean sound is the same as the MKll. For you old guys like me, the MK1 is also eight pounds lighter, a significant factor - 37.8 lbs. vs. 45.8 lbs. The double on power switch is for use with an adapter plug when you had to plug into an old two prong outlet. You could then toggle the power switch to the position with the least hum. These are amps that guitarists rode hard, which is why it’s so difficult to find a clean one. Don’t give up - they’re out there!
I absolutely love my G50-112 ii! I use it with a Marshall 412 it sounds absolutely amazing and LOUD! It was already 20+ years old when I acquired it back in the early 2000's and it's still going strong! The only thing I've had to do is clean the pots. Thanks for an amazing amp they don't make em like this anymore.
The series two amps are the best ever invented. They sound more like a tube amp than a tube amp!! I use them to this day almost exclusively. They are the biggest sleeper on the market. We who understand this amp are forever indebted to Paul.
Awesome words. I received the series two from my dad, when I was 15-16. He played it through graduate school and passed it to me when I started playing guitar. I use it to this day (I’m 34 years old now) when I have Frenchman Street gigs.
Yeah, this seems very advanced. I came accross this amp because I bought a carvin nomad 112 second hand that had the JA3066 in it. After seeing the speakers online resale for around $25 I thought I got ripped off. These controls & curcuits seem extremly advanced even for todays standards. Finalized eq @ end of curcuit & the frequency knob being able to tone up or down specific frequencies. these are great ideas for custom designs. What is your opinion on the speaker? I guess since they used the sam speaker for the 100 watt amp, I would have almost unlimited clean headroom on the speaker in my nomad? You think I wold be better off with the G12 V30, or do I have a gem? it sure sounds great on the clean channel but everything sounds great until you hear something better.
Bought the G100-210 in early eighties, played gigs for years and STILL use it. Played funk, top 40, rock, blues...large or small venues...I will never sell it.
I have the 1x12 version of this amp and it sounds great. It's the best sounding solid state amp I've ever played. I have tube amps collecting dust while I keep coming back to the Yamaha.
Thanks Paul! I use a G50 112 ii. It has been with me on several Cross Country tours and many many gigs in New Orleans. Unfortunately I no longer have the original speaker, but it is very helpful to understand more about the original speaker design.
you can find the original speaker on reverb for dirt cheap. like $16-$25 I think. I came across this amp because I have the Ja3066 in a carvin nomad 112 I bought second hand. I am trying to figure out if I should sit tight with it or get a V30 or something. Sound great on the clean channel.
You sir, are my Idol. Me and my dad make guitars as an hobby and your amps are the perfect benchmark for every pickup we make, it's the perfect clean amp, parametric EQ and the super overdrive channels are extra fun as well.
Thanks Paul for helping build what has been my main gigging amp for nearly 50 years - bought the 112 version new. Tempus fugit. Don't let anyone tell you different. Had a reverb tank fixed, decades ago. Had it serviced in 2019. Replaced the knobs. Takes pedals brilliantly well. Used the parametric to reduce the feedback from an acoustic guitar, to get the guitar louder. Long live the mk2.
I had no idea you were involved with these amazing solid state Yamahas! No wonder you upgraded and overbuilt Fenders lame solid state amp line to a higher standard like these amps when you joined Fender in the early 80’s. 👍🏻
G100s head amp with its matching 4X12 cabin from the same era. In love with Yamaha. Thank you Sir Paul for letting me find out things that I didn't know. Now I begin to understand a little bit more about this amp and why I am in love with its tone pesrononality. It starts making some sort of sense :)
I've had one of these amps for a very long time and what a great background story. Thanks for sharing and taking your time to explain the history. Much appreciated.
I've owned two G100's over the years, one in the early 80's and another I picked up for 100.00 in the mid 90's. Also had a G50 112 and now own a G25 112 for apartment use + I don't gig anymore.Deadly great amps,the solid state Twin Reverb.
Thanks for this video. I bought the 50 watt version as my first amp in 1980. Played it in bands for years and only bought the 100 watt version two years ago from a bloke in Melbourne. Cost me $285 and it is fantastic. So loud and clean.
I saw those around up here in Canada quite a bit. I was always searching for that heavier sound back in the early 80's (I started high school in 1981), and the amp just didn't have enough overdrive on tap for me, but that's not what Yamaha was going for anyway. My recollection of Yamaha at that time was solid state products. They sure had the price point correct for starving musicians though, and that kept them in the market for a long time. The stuff that did really well was DX7 keyboard (iconic), NS10 studio monitors and the accompanying NSW2 subwoofer, Natural Sound home audio products, and some of the guitars they built were pretty darn good. I really like these videos that you do Paul, and even at 51 years of age I'm still looking for that perfect amp, and I think I'm going to have a close look at the signature amp you did with Mick Thompson based on the Knucklehead Tre. I may be getting older, but I still like that brutal overdrive with lots of harmonics.
I love the sound of Rivera amps. Decided to downsize my amp collection while remaining tonally flexible. The result was a full Rivera "stack" with a Venux Deux Rec and a Clubster Royale Rec. That gives me a full tonal palette from clean to filthy and it takes beautifully any pedal from my extensive collection. I put a Rivera Rock Crusher on top and an amp switch to share a single cab to experiment to my ear's content. Rivera amps seriously rock!
From time to time I google my amp and it has been over a year since the last time I did it. I have that exact amp here in Finland and my dad's old friend from somewhere gave it to me close to 10 years ago. I don't know much about the amp and I was skeptic as a young boy since it was "Yamaha". But as it turns out this amp is great. Especially the clean channel that I use almost exclusively. I play a lot of modern metal with 7-strings and such but this amp has not failed me. It responds well to external distortions and the cleans were great when I played in a mellow prog rock band. Finally I could learn a bit more. And I kid you not I found out about the Pull mechanics RIGHT NOW.. I have to check those out. I also found in my area a person selling a Yamaha jx55B which is from the same era and I recently got a bass and I'm thinking of adopting a brother for my G100-212ii. Anything you can tell about that?
I recently picked up a g100 112 for $50 which I am in love with right now. The reverb is amazing and it takes my pedals extremely well(probably the best of any amps I've owned). I'm partial to 10's so I'll be keeping an eye out for the g100 210. I also have a hundred b212, but it doesn't sound anywhere as good as the g100 112 does.
I used this amp from a friend of mine during mid 80's and I found it fantastic. I own a Yamaha G50 112 III which I got brandnew in 1986 from Japan and its simply superb sounding amp.
I had the 100 watt 112 combo. Bought it with my income tax refund when I was a teenager. I used to put all e.q. parametric and gain on 10, run it through a 412 cabinet and get a great AC/DC plexi crunch. Had it for 10 years. Traded it for a Marshall head but it was still going strong. That thing was bullet proof. I had no idea Mr. Rivera helped design it.
Man I loved this amp! I still kick myself for ever letting it go. I took pedals so well and I still hear it blowing peoples faces off. It looks like something from my grandmas house but man it was great.
I have a G100 1x12 that I guess is series 1 because there is no suffix. I play a stock Nashville Tele thru it and it is just a wonderful combination. The amp does have the pull switches. I have always been under the assumption that this is also a Rivera design amp from the beginning. I paid $100 for the amp from a friend about 20 years ago. It is a sleeper amp. They pop up on the used market often and are usually at bargain prices. I had a few extras for spares for awhile but gave them to a couple students.
If your amp has a Parametric EQ section, it's a series 2 (II). The series 1 amps had a Distortion knob and a Pre-Set volume control (along with a tremolo circuit).
This is a great amp. Used to own a 50i, 50ii, and 100ii-212. the 100 really stands out, very warm clean and crunch tone. Regret having let them go. There is also a top version of the 100.
Thank you for making this video. I just bought a G100-212 ii that's been beat to hell and looks like a gang of alley cats had their way with it. This was by far the most in-depth collection of information about this particular amp.
I've just done exactly the same with mine !!! Many years ago playing in a band - then family and work took over so the amp got tucked away in the back of the wardrobe. Here in Australia stuck in Covid-19 lockdown I got out the old guitar and amp ... did a big cleanup on both and especially the pots on the amp and the old guitar and amp sound great together. I just wish my playing had held up as well ...😉
I had one of these some years ago. An excellent amp. Couldn't afford a Fender Twin back then, but frankly, didnt need one. The post-distortion parametric EQ is just incredibly useful. It is a huge blindspot in amp building, that more amps don't offer this solution. It keeps me from having excess equipment on the floor, and it makes the amp versatile to be used with almost any guitar I have. They look real good, too. Thanks for the amp and the video.
I’m going to buy a g50 410 tomorrow, can’t wait to try it out! This will be my first “real” SS amp, I’ve always been a tube guy. But for $150 I don’t see how I can go wrong.
back 1980/1981 my old high school band had that very model Yamaha amp with the parametric EQ that we used for our Jazz band. I was privileged to have been able to borrow it often for my own personal guitar playing soirees as well... the amp was as heavy as a truck though .
I have had a few of these over the years. You can get them cheap and the parametric eq is really great! You can dial in perfect for every room. If they made these weigh less than 50 lb it would have been perfect.
The 112 version was my first amp purchase when I was a teenager in the 80's. Bought it with my income tax refund. I remember my mom thinking I was crazy for spending so much on it, lol. But it lasted over 10 years and still worked the day I sold it. All the bands in the 90's were using heads and 412 cabinets so of course I had to too. 😊
Bought my G-100 212II in 1979 and still have it today. Pots get a little scratchy form time to time but a good cleaning remedies the issue.. I use it strictly on the clean channel an run my time based and modulation effects through it in a stereo setup.
Did you have to disassemble the amp to clean the pots? I've got the same amp, scratchy intermittent pots and all. Sometimes I even have to turn the mids knob a couple of times to make it kick in.
@@carloschon remove the chassis, then the nuts holding the pots to the pc board. Slide the board out and spray with deoxit. These amps are brilliantly laid out and easy to service!
Just found this in a quality pawn shop for $200 and picked it up. Only has some crackle in the pots. I know very little of amps, but from everything I’ve read, seems like everyone loves it! Anyone know if there’s a way I can find out the production year/details via the serial number? Also, any easy to read guide on the Parametric EQ setup? I feel like I just got a huge steal!
Thank you for taking the time to share this information Paul. I am looking at the Yamaha G100 B212 as a possible practice amp, one my son and I can share while teaching him, using the 2 channels. What are your thoiughts on this? Any pitfalls given this was the Bass model or any other reason? Thank you for your time.
I really like the sound of the direct out for recording. But I've been looking for a definitive answer to this question: Is it safe to run this amp with the speaker unplugged? I know that it's generally safe to run a solid state amp without a speaker connected, but I'm afraid to take a chance on burning this gem of an amp out. Thanks to anyone who can give an informed answer.
I would think it's probably safe. But if you're not willing to risk it (I wouldn't blame you) you could make a dummy plug with a resistor and a speaker jack. Just buy the proper ohm. Lots of info online on how to use and make these. They're really great for silent recording and on blackface fenders, they actually cut volume down to about half by plugging then out of the extension speaker jack.
Holy cow! I used a G100 that I borrowed from a high school for emergency use and loved it the minute I plugged into it. Had no idea it was a Rivera brainchild. That explains it. Also amazing is that I used the amp for a bass amp by tuning the parametric to the lowest setting with a broad Q (driving a 2x15 Kustom roll&tuck cab) and to this day it's the absolute best live bass sound I ever had. Hands down, I am still looking for THAT sound. I should just find another one of these and be done.
I have the bass combo version that someone converted into top/cab for more transportability (they failed. Still heavy as f…). The tone is to die for in the rehearsal/studio space though. Im thinking getting about a guitar version too.
I found the head in a pawn shop for $75 and took a chance. I will never sell it. It is an amazing amp and I love the parametric EQ. I count it as one of my best gear scores
I found one of my neighbors owned one and I had to but it from him. Most people that hear this amp always ask if it's a tube amp and are really supprized when you tell them its SS.
Are Emm from personal experience, a lot. But I wouldn’t say one is better than the other, just different. The II has a little more vintage-y sag, and the III is brighter. Kind of like early blackface to silver face almost. These are every bit as good as the classic Fenders in my opinion.
I have the Yamaha g100-15 MK2. The one with the 15 speaker and the parametric equaliser. It's very heavy. The build quality is excellent. Apart from new pots and power capacitors it still works wonderfully after 42 years. Most of those years were professional use by jazz musicians. It takes pedals extremely well. Even distortion pedals. This is a professional amp. You are expected to know how to use it and dial in your tone. Unfortunately a lot of players will be too lazy and just expect a sound to come out of it straight away. No. You have to use your ears and think about what you want. Because it's solid state you don't need to crank the volume. What does it sound like? Well you can get just about any sound out of it with the assistance of pedals. It is very quiet in terms of 'hiss' or hum. You don't even know it's on without the red power light on the front. The parametric EQ is again a pro feature, one for the sound connoisseurs. You really have to know what sound you want and spend time dialling it in. To illustrate, Frank Zappa used on-guitar parametric EQ on his performance strat. So that's the level of player this feature is aimed at. For the rest of humanity, just leave it at zero 12 o'clock and you will be happy. I love mine and if you see one for sale and have a strong floor to put it on buy it.
Awesome amp, thanks for the explanation. I want to find one of these soon. What do you think about the III versions (mk lll I’m assuming)? I see those posted a lot on reverb these days. The mk ll are more rare
Look like a dream amp and best kept secret. Does anyone know how will it work for Pink Floyd and Gilmour tones. How does it work with pedals? If you have to chose between this amp or Yamaha yta96 or Yamaha jx65 wich one would be?
I have this Mrk 2. And was wondering where can I get parts for this. I need the service light , or just the red plastic cover, Also the volume on the B side of the amp seems to have a short, and cuts out and is staticky when adjusted. Any suggestions??
As one who owned this amp for a while I can tell you that the parametric eq is extremely useful on this amp and is certainly worth the effort to learn how it works. I used it to fatten up my sound on the distortion channel instead of using the bass knob or the thick switch. As it is "post distortion" you can get a very fat punchy low end without any flub. Crank up the distortion and kick it in the teeth with a good O.D. and it will take you into Boogie territory!
The parametric EQ is one of the best features on the amp. My guess is anyone that hates it doesn't have a clue how to use it. You can add or subtract, widen or narrow the Q, and blend which doesn't get any better than that. It is the polar opposite of Fender EQ which it is very narrow and subtle.
Hi there. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement tank for this amp or what the capacitance readings are? I'm restoring one and need some help. Thanks!
2 года назад
Hello. Could someone help me. I need to change the reverb pot on my G100-112 (the stem broke). The back of the pot reads M25k(ohm symbol)B. Can I replace it with a 25kOhm pot?
Anyone know anything about the F100 series? If you Google 'Yamaha F100 112', you'll see all these Japanese results and pictures of amps that look just like the G100 series... but F! Was it just the name/number for the Japanese market?
