Daniel Gallagher Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 I just bought this dream of guitar (you can tell by my nickname). It's a 1982 vintage sunburst model. It does not however feature the original pickguard and truss rod cover, and its knobs are missing the silver foil caps. The owner installed custom ones (similar to the originals). I was wondering if anyone could point me to where can I buy these original parts or as close to the original ones as possible, especially the white pickguard with the "E" logo (the current one is all white). If anyone is willing to sell these parts, I am willing to buy also. Best regards, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiser Bill Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Dan... there are any number of on-line places to get Epiphone replacement parts. A simple search should give you many choices. Best of luck with your quest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Congrats on the 82 Matsumoku Riviera Daniel. Most of the export 81/82 Epiphone thinlines went to the U.S., and the Riviera came with a three ply Black/White/Black pickguard (Non "E") and a plain two ply three screw single ply Black/White truss rod cover. The 83/84 version sold in the U.K. and as used by Noel and "Bonehead" had the White/Black/White pickguard, with screen printed Black"E", as well as a White/Black three screw truss cover also with the "E". You will find it easier to return it to 82 spec, but I guess you`d want to go for the OASIS look. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 Kaiser Bill, thanks a lot but you better believe I did my homework and needless to say came out empty handed. Steve, that's very interesting. Of all the research I did, both before and after I purchased the guitar, I did not came across the info that the 1982 models were different from the late models (like Noel's and Bonehead's) regarding the aspects you mentioned. That actually makes me feel more comfortable although like you said, I'd like to go for the Oasis look. So, are you telling me that the original pickguard to this guitar was actually BLACK? Having said that, this is how the guitar looks right now with the aftermarket TRC and pickguard. Doesn't look bad at all, but I'd like to go original. Steve, where can I find the original witch-hat knobs? Serial number 208**** Thanks a lot, guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Hi Dan. Did you get this Riviera from Cunnigham 26? If so, I made the Truss rod cover on that guitar, and I believe another member made the pickguard. I would leave it as it is, if I were you. It would be hard to find the right parts, as they are not readily available. I have owned some Matsumoku made Casino`s and Sheraton`s, and on one of them the pickguard "E" had 95% rubbed away. The pickguard looks pretty accurate to me, and I know that the TRC is the right size and shape, as I copied it from my Casino, although I could have done a better job with the "E". Yes a lot of those 81/82 Riviera`s & Casino`s had Black pickguards and TRC`s, and quite a few of the Riviera`s had the frequensator tailpiece too, although by the time of the 83/84 U.K. version, the Riviera was solely equipped with the stop tailpiece. Here is an 81 on ebay now. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-Epiphone-Riviera-Antique-Sunburst-Japan-Made-VERY-CLEAN-VERY-RARE-/390851375194?pt=Guitar&hash=item5b008eb05a#ht_566wt_758 Enjoy the guitar. P.S. witch hat knobs in both metric and imperial are readily available from many guitar part suppliers, or ebay. I think you would need metric for your guitar. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 Steve, yeah, that is Andy's guitar. I haven't got it yet but thought of having a headstart and buying the pieces I want in it before it arrives. Well, since you've done the TRC and the pickguard is about right, I will not mess with them. What I would like from you if it is possible is to have the exact logo that is featured on the original pickguard so I can create a sticker to put in there. Do you have it in a JPG or anything like it? So I can put it on Adobe Illustrator and vectorize it. I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about regarding the knobs. What do you mean by them being metric or imperial? I thought they only had Volume/Tone written on them and the numbers 1 to 10? Thank you so much for all the valuable info. You rock. Cheers, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Hi Dan, When I say metric or imperial, i am referring to the hole underneath the knob that fits onto the shaft of the pot (The bit that turns). American made guitars employ imperial shafts, on pots from CTS etc. While those from the far east are generally metric, as in those from Alpha. I do have a template for the pickguard "E" somewhere, that I took from one of the Casino`s (But they used the same one on the Riviera). I`ll see what I can do for you. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Here's a pic of the scratchplate on my '83. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 Thanks for the pic jonnyg but I think I'd need something more accurate in order to produce a high quality sticker. I hope Steve has it somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 I have found my scratchplate "E" template (It is made out of .80 plasticard), and is the same as this style, which is on an 83 Casino (They did vary slightly, throughout the production run) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Excellent-1983-Epiphone-Japan-Matsumoku-Casino-Natural-W-HC-/161314753794?pt=Guitar&hash=item258f1bcd02#ht_23304wt_1030 The originals were screen printed on, thick enough to feel the ridges if you ran your finger over it. I would use a Black permanent marker pen, and build it up in layers myself. I can do you the "E" actual size on a piece of paper, from which I guess you can get what you need. P.M. me your address, and I`ll post it off. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 Steve, thanks a lot but I don't think you need to do all that. If you could take a picture of it with a good enough resolution and email it to me, I'll go from there. Is it possible? Thanks anyway. I really appreciate your help and information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Can you not do that with jonnyg`s photo above-Dan? How do I get the size right in a photo? Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Steve, I'll just figure the size out. All I need is the shape of the logo and the picture above is too blurry. I'd need a clear picture to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 I`ll see what I can do Dan. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjw357 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hi guys, newbie on here, thought I would throw an idea at you. If your pickguard is laminated, why not have the 'E' engraved into the top layer so you would never have to worry about it wearing off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Hi guys, newbie on here, thought I would throw an idea at you. If your pickguard is laminated, why not have the 'E' engraved into the top layer so you would never have to worry about it wearing off? That's easier said than done because you have to have a great accurate template and good tools to do it right. I am looking for the template right now and that alone is a difficult search. But good tip nonetheless. The thing is I think there aren't any original Epiphones with engraved off-set logos on the pickguard, so purists won't like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 The thing is I think there aren't any original Epiphones with engraved off-set logos on the pickguard, so purists won't like it. But "purists" won't like the fact that your guitar doesn't have the original scratchplate and TRC in the first place, so it's hardly worth worrying about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 But "purists" won't like the fact that your guitar doesn't have the original scratchplate and TRC in the first place, so it's hardly worth worrying about. You've got a point. The thing is you can't really tell the pickguard and TRC cover are aftermarket whereas an engraved logo gives it away immediately. That's what I meant. Anyway, I found out this American store which carries the metric witch hat knobs much like the Epiphones and they fit perfectly. However they are meant for Telecasters. But they look good and are cheap, so, anyone wanting this set, go ahead an buy it. Link: http://www.guitarfetish.com/4-Vintage-Tele-Custom-style-Knob-Set-of-Four-Volume-and-Tone_p_842.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 They look very nice Daniel. I`ll sort out that "E" logo for you over the weekend. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 They look very nice Daniel. I`ll sort out that "E" logo for you over the weekend. Steve. Hey Steve, Any chance we'll have that E logo? Can't wait to put one on the white pickguard! Thanks a lot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 It slipped my mind Dan, sorry. I`ll photo the template I have, as clear as I can, and will give you a measurement for the full length of the slash part of the "E". You should be able to scale up/down from that. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hi Dan, I don`t know if these photo`s are good/clear enough for you. This template was taken from my 1983 Epiphone Casino (Matumoku). I coloured it in to make it clearer to photograph, and added a Millimetre scale for you. The full length of the slash part of the "E", from longest-longest tip is 24mm or 7/8ths of an inch. Here are two of my 1983 Casino`s to compare the template too. This one has faded with use. June 83 Casino. This one gives a better look. November 83 Casino, which is the same month that Noel Gallagher`s Wine Red Riviera serial number 3114107 was made. Notice how the "E" is at slightly different angles on each of the above Casino`s. I hope all this is of some help. Regards, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Absolutely, Steve. The photo with the ruler is the perfect one to get it done. Your guitars are amazing and everytime you mention Noel's wine red Riviera I kick myself for actually buying a guitar like Bonehead's Riviera instead. While I love that guitar, if I had to pick between Noel's and Bonehead's, the wine red is the one I'm after since I was 15 back in 1995. That guitar fascinates and eludes me. :-P Anyway, once more I really appreciate your help and if there's anything I can do to return the favor, just ask! All the best from Brazil, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 That`s great Dan, post a photo when it`s done. Noel didn`t keep his Riviera (It was on ebay a few years back for £4000+), however "Bonehead" still has his antique sunburst one. Take care, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Gallagher Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 He didn't keep his, but history was made with it and the pictures, gigs and videos will keep haunting me until I buy one like it just like I did with Bonehead's Epi. Oh dear... Cheers! Pictures soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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