LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 A local shop near me had this Custom Shop Riviera as New Old Stock. It is an AIMM (Alliance of Independent Music Merchants) Limited Edition Riviera created by the Epiphone Custom Shop for AIMM '09. For nearly 3 years this sat in their back room new in the box, and it shows. Not a pick mark on it, brand spanking new! I was intrigued by the 2 mini-hums and they sounded excellent when I tested out the guitar! The pups are different enough that it they will make a nice compliment to my other Epi Archtops without over-duplication. Since I was able to get a great price on it, I took it home... Pics uploading now... and will be forthcoming... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 The custom features such as the Frequensator Bridge, Mini-Hums and touches like the black knobs make this one of the most unique factory-custom Rivieras I've come across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSAR Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 HNGD! I really don't see why these aren't a regular production model, I'm sure they wouldn't have any trouble selling them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Lucky find, congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robocopp Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 fantastico ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mud guy Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Fantastic! I wish the mini hums were standard issue on one of the more common semi-hollows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 HNGD! I really don't see why these aren't a regular production model, I'm sure they wouldn't have any trouble selling them... I agree this is one feature cool Epi Riviera that I'd buy any day of the week!! I see the specs are similar or even identical to this Vintage 1965 Riviera being sold by the Chicago Music Exchange for $5K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Lucky find, congrats! Pure Luck! I went amp shopping and the ESP/LTD Bass I brought with me to trade towards a new amp was suddenly getting traded towards this Custom Riviera that was tucked away in the back of the store. It blows my mind that this guitar was still available brand new some 3+/- years later. They even allowed me to haggle down their price a bit + they gave me a fair trade price for my bass since it was in great condition and I had purchased it from them new just last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Fantastic! I wish the mini hums were standard issue on one of the more common semi-hollows. The uncommon sight of mini hums and the Frequensator Bridge together on a contemporary Riviera are what immediately grabbed my attention when I first saw it and screamed to me take it home! It was then I knew my amp shopping was done for the day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Well, I'm off to play this for a while.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigneil Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 What a stunningly beautiful Riv' . I want one now with a frequensator and mini's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Now THAT's a Riviera! Congratulations, on a great find!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 <br />What a stunningly beautiful Riv' . I want one now with a frequensator and mini's <img src='http://forum.gibson.com/public/style_emoticons/default/msp_drool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Thanks Neil! I played it for about an hour and a half tonight through my AC15 and the mini hums are wonderful! The entire guitar is a delight to play. It's all cleaned off now and resting well in it's new home. I'll get a recording done of it in the near future to share with others here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 <br />Now THAT's a Riviera! Congratulations, on a great find!! <img src='http://forum.gibson.com/public/style_emoticons/default/msp_thumbup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />CB<br /><br /><br /><br /> I agree Charlie! As you can tell by my enthusiasm in my prior posts, this is my kind of Riviera! This is the sort of guitar that comes to my mind when asked the age-old question of "If you could only own one guitar....??". Yep, this is certainly that kind of guitar to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilm3 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Beautiful! Great find. Happy NGD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I agree this is one feature cool Epi Riviera that I'd buy any day of the week!! I see the specs are similar or even identical to this Vintage 1965 Riviera being sold by the Chicago Music Exchange for $5K Of course, this is an outstanding (original) version! Wish I had the bucks, and/or justification, for spending that amount, on a guitar! Any guitar. But, it looks to be in outstanding (very clean) condition! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 1331690779[/url]' post='1149156']Of course, this is an outstanding (original) version! Wish I had the bucks, and/or justification, for spending that amount, on a guitar! Any guitar. But, it looks to be in outstanding (very clean) condition! CB I'd love to have an original Riviera like this example. If not for home remodelling projects planned for this and next month, I'd seriously consider buying that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPDEN Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 Beautiful! Great find. Happy NGD. Thanks Hilm ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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