NGD....again. Epi Riviera, Royal Tan

[superbadj]

Well....some semi-hollow bug bit me. I couple of weeks ago I got a Rivolta Regata. And it shocked me how much I was enjoying it.

So I started watching loads of videos on other guitars. I've always been curious about mini-buckers, and the finish on the Royal Tan Riviera that Epi started producing again recently is just amazing. This guy's two videos really kinda convinced me to give one a whirl.

Found one at $100 off from American Musical Supply and decided to get it.

And it's great! Pickups are really, really good. VERY clear. Plays great. 7lbs10oz, so not heavy but not featherweight. GREAT looking and sounding guitar.

I gotta stop watching videos, eh?




Soon I'm going to get gold knobs w/silver inserts so I can have it look like this one. Shoulda shipped like this from the factory IMO!

OK DUMMY NO MORE GUITARS. (talking to myself).

 

[Wallaby]

That is fantastic, congratulations!

I want one!

 

[brookdalebill]

Wow!
Heavy on the covet! (thanks George Carlin)

 

[superbadj]

I did finally pull the pickguard and pickup plastic off yesterday. Wish my pic (first one) didn't have it all wrinkled! Totally forgot about it.

 

[backporchmusic]

I was looking for one of those and lucked into a used one in my area for cheap because the guy had a stop tail installed (why???). I put a Bigsby B11 on it and just love it. Pickups are really great, Epi has really dialed in their mini-hums.
Love that Royal Tan color too!

 

[sloppychops]

Cool guitar! I've gotten into semi-hollow and hollow body guitars over the past 6 months, too. Your Riviera looks great. Does it have a rosewood fretboard or laurel? I thought they have Indian Laurel fretboards, but yours looks too good to be Laurel.

 

[nathan5782]

That looks really nice I was checking out a red one at Guitar Center a few months ago.

 

[Telecastoff1]

WOW! Very nice Epi. My first really good guitar was back in the early-mid 60's...a USA Epiphone Riviera, about that same color with a factory-installed Bigsby. I can't count the times I regretted selling it. I was about 14-15 years old when I got it and sold it right before I joined the USMC in 1970.
Congrats on that very beautiful Riviera!

 

[superbadj]

Cool guitar! I've gotten into semi-hollow and hollow body guitars over the past 6 months, too. Your Riviera looks great. Does it have a rosewood fretboard or laurel? I thought they have Indian Laurel fretboards, but yours looks too good to be Laurel.

It's Laurel, but it is fairly dark. Could use some oil on the next string change but it's a nice board, no issues there IMHO. While I prefer rosewood of course, there are some really nice looking Laurel boards around, and this is one. I've seen a number of pics and most seem fairly dark on this particular model, for whatever reason.

These pickups really are outstanding.

 

[Deaf Eddie]

Been on my wish list for a loooooooong time...

Congrats!

 

[39martind18]

Epi electrics with minihums= eargasm!

 

[mimmo]

Big congratulations! I really love this guitar, used to have one and obviously I sold it because of no real reason, just my stupidity.

Enjoy, it's a real beauty!

 

[sloppychops]

It's Laurel, but it is fairly dark. Could use some oil on the next string change but it's a nice board, no issues there IMHO. While I prefer rosewood of course, there are some really nice looking Laurel boards around, and this is one. I've seen a number of pics and most seem fairly dark on this particular model, for whatever reason.

These pickups really are outstanding.

If you ever want a really dark fretboard, Fiebings Leather Dye works great. I did it on my son's Epi Wilshire reissue with a Laurel fretboard.

 

[Tone Quest]

Congratulations. Looks awesome.

 

[superbadj]

Thanks guys. Enjoying it for sure!

 

[NoTeleBob]

Very nice. I'm a big fan of minis. Clear and bright like BB King. Add some gain/overdrive and you're Angus Young.

You're right on those knobs. What were they thinking?

 

[superbadj]

Well the new knobs arrive today. I'll post a new pic when they're on.

 

[brookdalebill]

Strait Music here got a couple, a year ago.
They sold almost immediately, and have not been seen around here since.
I want one.
I shoulda bought the cool red one I played.
He who hesitates is lost, man!

 

[superbadj]

Much better with the gold knobs! And yes they don’t stay in stock long. Still digging this AND the new Rivolta. Been a good guitar month!

 

[drmordo]

Very pretty!