Epiphone Riviera

[JVsearch]

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.

What's the difference between a Riviera and a 335? Is it only the mini humbuckers on the original Riviera, as plenty of 335s had trapeze tail pieces.

I actually had one of these Rivieras a while back, it was very similar to yours but had covered humbuckers. I'll try to find some pics of it, but they will be actual paper photographs, so it will take me a while to find them and get them onto the computer.

 

[DaveWW]

Hi, I'm not sure myself what the differences are to a 335...... Before I studied them a bit I thought they were original epiphone guitar but it seems they riviera, sheritan and casino all have the Gibson 335 body shape. I think the neck sizes and shapes vary quite a bit from model to model and on where they were made. The main differences seem mainly bling/fittings and pickups. If anything I think the body on my riviera might be a touch thinner than a 335 but I no longer have one to compare it with. I still think the neck on mine is mahogany but I'm no lumber expert and the pot's seem to be mounted in some sort of can...?

 

[bluejeannot]

You may be right about the mahogany neck Dave.The Matsumoku Sheraton had a maple neck though. Gabe.

 

[JVsearch]

...Before I studied them a bit I thought they were original epiphone guitar but it seems they riviera, sheritan and casino all have the Gibson 335 body shape. I think the neck sizes and shapes vary quite a bit from model to model and on where they were made...

Originally made in the same factory in Kalamazoo as the Gibson ES-335 (Riviera) and ES-330 (Casino), I don't know squat about the Sheraton. I have a 1962 Epiphone Casino and it is pretty much identical to the ES-330 from the same period, except for the slimmer depth of the neck (and the different shaped headstock with Epi logo).

 

[DaveWW]

Thanks guys. I know didley squat about sheratons too but they seem to be of the same basic shape. So the differences are really just down to headstocks, fittings, pickups and the mahagony centre block. IMHO the epi logos and fittings somehow look cooler than gibbos. On my old ES120 I preferred it with the pickguard off but I like the riviera better with it on.

I'd like to try a good casino with P90s as well some day

Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Epiphone-Riviera-c1983-Matsumoku-Japan-MIJ-OHSC-MINT-/200527688478?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb061b31e Here`s how yours would have looked.Gabe P.S. check the price out!

 

[bluejeannot]

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/bluejeannot/EpiphoneSpartan1945/?action=view&current=EbaypicEpiphoneGuitar.jpg Here`s my lovingly unrestored 1945 Epiphone Spartan,Gabe.

 

[JVsearch]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Epiphone-Riviera-c1983-Matsumoku-Japan-MIJ-OHSC-MINT-/200527688478?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb061b31e Here`s how yours would have looked.Gabe P.S. check the price out!

Ouch! I got mine for 200 quid, although that was a while back now.
To be honest, I can't quite see the value myself, having owned and played one for several years, but then again, maybe my memory is distorted by the 1966 ES-335 that I stupidly let go of.

 

[DaveWW]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Epiphone-Riviera-c1983-Matsumoku-Japan-MIJ-OHSC-MINT-/200527688478?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2eb061b31e Here`s how yours would have looked.Gabe P.S. check the price out!

Wow! - thanks for that. Sold for ?1,300 so it looks like I did rather well and I like the my Antique Sunburst better than the Wine Red

PS have you seen the Matsumoku Emporer he's got too.


Dave

 

[bluejeannot]

Yeah he`s got a very nice thin line there,I would be very surprised if he got anywhere near the asking price though.Gabe.

 

[bluejeannot]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-Epiphone-Sheraton-ASB-Matsumoku-MIJ-Gibson-case-/300479027354?pt=Guitar&hash=item45f5f2189a Here`s anudder Matsumoku Epi.Gabe.

 

[neilbsg]

I bought the Sheraton in the link above.......

 

[DaveWW]

Well that's another nice matsumoku epiphone in the north east UK.

If it's anything like my Riviera you won't be sorry. Have you got it yet?

Dave

 

[neilbsg]

Not got it yet Dave but it is being processed in customs at the moment so will let you know what its like when it arrives!