Your resume speaks for itself, sir. I agree Rocktron makes a very good amplifier. I've never had much luck with the Mesa Boogie stuff, but I know quite a few players who swear by them. Over the years, I've been pretty consistent with Fenders. I replaced my non-master volume twin (ouch, my back)with the Rivera and lugged that around for a LONG time, and many miles of road wear. It was a bit grainy in the midrange, which I always attributed to the EL34's. I would like to hear the Quiana, which is using 6L6's. I agree carrying gear around inspires most of my amplifier changes. The Pro Reverb, that I am playing now, was mostly purchased for at home use, but after a couple of sessions where it outshined everything in the room, it became my main amp. In my travels, I've played through boutique amps from Victoria, Bogner, Dumble, Two-Rock, etc. and through the usual suspects like Fender, Marshall, Peavey, Crate, Gibson, and even a Line 6. The only Marshall I ever liked was a Super Lead half stack in St. Petersburg, Russia. For some reason, (European voltage, 50 cycle ground?) it sounded real clean and full with my Stratocaster without the usual midrange tunnel effect you experience in Marshalls here in the states. To me, the best current amp model I've had opportunity to play through is still the Fender VibroKing. Touch sensitive, dynamic, very musical, but pricey. A little out of the range of a road dog like myself. In the meantime, I'm still hunting for something to sub for my Pro when I can't be "extra careful" with it.