Epiphone Riviera

[DaveWW]

Pulled the plug on the Epiphone Riviera last night. As usual now just need to find a way to tell the wife. :-?

I've been gassing for a new semi for quite a while now had been watching elitist casinos for a while but they seemed so popular I couldn't get one for a reasonable price. Plus I wanted a sunburst rather than natural colour. In fact the US prices for second hand or refurb equalled the new price or more after duty etc in the UK!

I wasn't sure about the Riviera as the "guitar dater project" rolled the serial as Korea and made in 86. Anyway I bought it with full knowledge that it might be Korean, probably still a great guitar, but I confess that I do hope it's Japanese.

The info on the net is that production moverd from Japan to Korea in 83. I've done some digging and posts, mainly from the encylopedic Japanstrat, seem to confirm that it's Matsumoko made in 86 prior to them going bust in 87.

The seller is the second owner of the guitar and thinks the MIJ sticker has been on since new and the bridge etc and also MIJ. The build quality looks nice, even has FEB and someone has invested quite a bit of time getting it to sound nice. Not easy wiring semis! So I'm really hopeful it'll be a nice guitar.

Pickups have been changed to a Dimarzio in the neck and Schaller in the bridge (no experience of these). It's also been wired for split ciols which could be nice.

My thoughts are it's MIJ at Matsumoko in 86.

Can anyone confirm or help definitively state the year of manufacture and origin.

Pic's pinched off the auction follow:

 

[DaveWW]

Just noticed that http://www.guitardaterproject.org/epiphone.aspx states that "Serial numbers from 70' and 80's era Epiphone guitars made in Japan are not supported. The reason for this is that there is no reliable documentation from this time period." So maybe that's the answer.

Anyway all contributions, opinions etc appreciated as always

Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/epiphone/sheraton/pics.html Nice guitar Dave.Yes she`s a Japanese Matsumoku check the label it`s the same..Gabe.

 

[DaveWW]

Thanks Gabe. It does look pretty conclusive even the tuners are the same. I'd still like to see/read a bit more about these and the labels serial numbers used etc to be completely sure.

Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orville_by_Gibson Check out what it says about label colour in the Epi part of the article. Dave. P.S .I have an 83 Matsumoku made Emperor,it`s a fab guitar.Also it might be interesting to do the nitro test on your Riviera.The Emperor is definately nitro. Gabe.

 

[DaveWW]

Thanks again Gabe. Does your Emporer have FEB? Interesting link - based on that I also read the wiki on Matsumoku which again sounds conclusive. I'll definitely do the nitro test and take lots more pics when I get the guitar later this week. How 'bout some pic's of your Emperor

 

[bluejeannot]

Fret edge binding?Yes it does ,also a 3 piece laminated neck and real M.O.P. and ebony fretboard.Gabe.

 

[bluejeannot]

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/bluejeannot/?action=view&current=MIJepi002.jpg&newest=1 Pretty crap pics I`m afraid,Gabe.

 

[DaveWW]

Thanks Gabe. Looks great but I'm travelling at the moment so can only view on my phone. I'll have a closer look when I'm back on Wednesday.

Dave

 

[DaveWW]

Managed to get a better look now. Looks really nice and the back of the neck looks very similar to mine which I'm told is also 3 piece laminated. The pic I've got at the moment doesn't show it though.

Is there some particular sgnificance to the neck being constructed this way? Do you think the neck is mahogany?

I might fit gold reflectors knobs as well as I don't much like the black witches hat type.

Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

Matsumoku were very fond of 3 piece necks.They make for a very stable neck .The two outer pieces have the grain running in opposite directions which also helps to eliminate dead spots.The neck on your guitar is maple I think.Gabe.

 

[DaveWW]

Never came across a neck like that before but i can see it would be strong.

It on it's way now so lot's more pic's and a report when I get it. Probably be here on Monday I think.

Dave

 

[gundjo]

Dave,

I'm no expert but the label looks similar to my '81 Matsumoku Epi Emperor Thinline and I am pretty sure the multi piece necks are also an indication. The in lays on my Emperor are really ornate but that may just be a model difference. If she is an early 80's Matsumoku I can tell you that you'll be hard pressed to find a better built guitar. I find mine shockingly good every time I pick her up (though that alone takes some effort as I believe she's even heavier than my Yamaha SG2000).

 

[DaveWW]

Hi Gunjo,

That's somewhat similar info to that posted as a question to the seller on the ebay listing. Someone stated:-

"I have the same guitar! your guitar is from Matsumoku, Japan, January 1986, the last year of excellent guitar epiphone before production went to Korea, original pickups were of the type-MMK-61. Shielded braided wiring and pots were also Japanese and features beige / brown kalamazoo labels in f-holes were used in Japan from 1979 to 1986"

It would be good to know the source of this info.

I hope the guitar will be a good as your Epi Emporer Thinline when I get it!

Dave

 

[DaveWW]

Arrived today

First impressions are it's great! - looks fantastic (even nicer than the pic's), very comfortable to play and really versatile.

Loads of pic's and more info at the weekend


Dave

 

[gundjo]

Congrats Dave, glad to hear you are pleased.

 

[bluejeannot]

Yes Dave well done.You are coming to the convention aren`t you? Gabe.

 

[DaveWW]

Yes Dave well done.You are coming to the convention aren`t you? Gabe.

Yes Gabe, I'll be there and I'll bring the Riviera Are you coming too?

Dave

 

[DaveWW]

Tried to take some pic's today. Difficult because the weather is absolutely lousy. The auto-flash wanted to come on even in front of large windows....

Anyway I'm really impressed with the guitar, build quality, appearance, playability and sound. I didn't think coil tapping would work as well as it does. The humbuckers growl like they should and the single coil positions are really articulate clear and bell like. In the coil tapped positions it responds well to finger picking and the middle position is best I've played for clean strumming.

More of a 335 really than a pure riviera I guess with the bridge and tailpiece setup and I prefer it to the ES120 I used to have.

Fret edge binding, nice inlay work :wink: , light alloy tail piece, plated bridge saddles, three piece neck, sustain block, good quality electric from what I can see. Might change the knobs to gold reflectors though ..........

The pot's are either very large or have covers. Never seen them like this before. Anyone know about these?


Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

Standard Matsumoku stuff made by Maxon.As for Leeds just anybody try and stop me from coming!Gabe.