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NGD: '09 Epi AIMM L.E. Riviera (Custom Shop)


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1332140741[/url]' post='1153999']

Beautiful and what a deal.

 

Thanks Mario. Since I posted about it last, I acquired a new Epipone case for it. This coming weekend I'll be taking it to a practice jam session at my buddy's music studio where I can try it through a wider range of amps.

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Score! You must now be in, as SRV put it, "Riviera Paradise."

 

LOL! I love it! And Yes, the Riviera is awesome! In two weeks from this Saturday I am hosting a guitar Jam at my house and told my friends who are coming to leave their guitars home. I have enough here now for everyone coming to play and sample. They are bringing their own combo amps though.. I even invited my neighbors becase it might get loud. I figured a backyard barbeque with enough food and drink for all will keep the peace... [tongue]

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  • 2 weeks later...

A funny thing happend ont the way to the forum... (Anyone remember that musical? Well, a funny thing happened when I visited one of my area music shops this afternoon. I started chatting with my friend J who works there and one guitar discussion led to another and we ended up talking about Rivieras... He brought up this video of Phil X playing a '62 Riviera:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK9lJv2Kfj4

 

As we were watching it I mentioned how I was lucky to find one of the AIMM Custom shop Epi Rivieras that went back in time with the original spec hums and F.S. bridge and how nice the Cherry finish was. At that moment he turned to me and said they had one just like it. I said, I know I bought it already! Then he insisted, no they reserved 2 when they did that order both which he says came in months apart. He then went to the back and I was floored when he walked out with it in hand. The only difference mine has a serial # starting with 09 and this one (apparently the second one that arrived) had a serial # starting with 10.

 

He said to me it's yours if you want it. But why I asked? I have one already and it's perfectly fine. He then put on his sales cap and hits me with these three whoppers of sales lines":

 

  1. "How many of these are you going to find, they just aren't made with these features any longer".
  2. "You know if I put this out right now it's going to be gone faster than set of rims in Harlem". (Ironically enough, he actually had his wheels stolen off his car in Harlem)...
  3. "If you want to spend an extra $5K on a vintage one, be my guest!"

I tell you, he's brutal! But the best he got out of me was deposit to hold it while I ponder it over. If nothing else, a friend who comes to our monthly jams liked this Riviera when I brought mine to the last jam and he would probably be interested. If not, for $500 I may have to cave and take it home as a killer value and opportunity. Especially when compared to the $5,500 Riviera in the video above..

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Great Riviera. Good find and good choice to put the other on hold.

I was fortunate to have found one of the last 06 Unsung Rivieras on e-bay.

Granted it does not have the proper body style as the 09-10 Chinese re-issues, correct headstock emblem and it has the white TRC, which I like the contrast.

A Florida pawn shop had this one, brand new, plastic still on the pickups and pick guard.

Came with original hardshell case.

This seemed to be one someone bought and put away. $495 including shipping.

This plays like a dream. Great neck and and the Mini's sound wonderful.

If I ever decide to sell any of mine, this one will be one of the last to go. (won't happen for a while, if at all rolleyes.gif)

 

06_Riviera_whole_body.jpg

 

 

06_Riviera_headstock.jpg

 

 

06_Riviera_front_body_2.jpg

 

 

06_Riviera_backheadstock.jpg

 

 

Have fun with your outdoor jam. I belong in a group of gentlemen that congragate one Friday a month to normally play acoustic music. Guitars, bass, mandolin, banjos and harmonica. But a few in the group also own and play electrics.

With the great weather we had here on the east coast this March, I though an impromptu electric jam, and supplied guitars, couple of amps and mikes.

Neighbors are good with this and it happened in the middle of the day.

Nothing like playing electrics outside.

 

Enjoy your jam.

 

Mark

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After reading, looking and pondering around the web last night, it would seem to me that aside from the models Epiphone issues as limited/custom production, that the custom models enlisted by the likes of AIMM have to be among the most contemporary elusive and desirable models to come out of Epi...

As an Archyholic, it is difficult for me to to pass by these archtop models that either offer the right blend of vintage vibe and playability or just the right blend of historic appeal. Here is another such example: http://www.fretbase.com/guitars/1791-epiphone-59-es-335-dot#ixzz1TsQM5PMV

I'm sure it's a balance to keep production and custom offerings interesting to buyers, and I admit that it's nice to find these non-mass produced models. The debate to offer these as production line instruments versus limited availablity I suppose can remain open-ended. It seems the models that are built to exactly (or as close as possible) replicate vintage instruments have been designtaed by various manufacturers as custom shop / limited production offerings. And I can understand and actually appreciate that approach. Fortunately though, Epiphone has chosen to offer many great and for the most part correct historic representations in their production lineup over the years to satisfy most players.

 

 

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Mark, great find and a great deal you got on it to boot!!!! These Rivieras are among the less than readily available models that I see standing the test of time for appeal to those who play and appreciate Epi archtops. And yes, the outdoor summer time jams are the best!!!

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I agree with you that the more period correct the better.

And I love that Epi does things like the AIMM special reissues.

 

I know mine has a few things not up to specs, but it is close and just a wonderful guitar to play.

I still have a hard time with the new P-93 models.

I know that many members like them, but to me, they just don't seem right.

When they made all the changes, Bigsby instead for frequensator, three p-90's instead of mini's, and the wrong headstock emblem, these seem like a Casino mutant, than a Riviera.

 

BTW, I love your passion for good deals (especially the Twin Wilshire's you just got).

For me, I love the fact that I can get at least three Epis, switch out the electronics and get hard cases for the price of one Gibson 335.

With me being a weekend player, I would never bring out a $2.5 - $4k guitar for others to play.

With my collection, just about anyone in my group is welcome to try them out and have some fun with guitars they would never get the chance to try out.

Some have gone out and bought their own after playing mine.

My wife thinks I could have worse habits than collecting guitars.

She just wishes we had more room for the cases.eusa_boohoo.gif

 

M

 

 

 

 

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Seems we're alot alike in the tastes of our guitars (and storgae issues with cases msp_lol.gif ). So far the new music room is holding on to the increase in spaace demand, and my wife's tolerance for the onslaught of guitars in the last several months is equally holding on. msp_cool.gif

When I owned my '09 50th R9 Gibson LP it was limited to use in my home only because I couldn't muster the courage to bring it out to a jam and have it damaged. That's why I referred to it often as my anchor guitar, it held me down in the house. As mentioned, I ultimately sold in favor of finding other great guitars that I could play and enjoy without the worry. Epi offers enough to do that, and I've been fortunate enough to that and replenish my archtops which I very much enjoy playing. At the same time, I can apporeiate those who opt for the Gibson 335's and the like. And I would never say never to entertaining the thought of owning one. But like you mentioned, it's great finding these awesome Epiphines that play and sound great at a fraction of the cost.

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That Chicago Music Riviera is the one I'd like to see reissued. In that color!

 

Yes ,that burst has aged nicely along with the pickguard and pickup selector knob... It's dripping Vintageness!

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No need for another NGD thread, I'll keep the continuity here since this just an expansion of the same family... This is my first official set of identical twins, Cigars for everyone!!! \:D/

 

How will I be able to tell them apart you ask? Well, as a favor the shop threw in a extra pickup selector knob so I have both colors to choose between now. The one with the white knob on it is the newest Riviera arrival with the 2010 serial #:

 

SAM_0002.jpg

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1333331441[/url]' post='1167439']

After reading this thread I am intrigued, I think I want a Riviera! [biggrin]

 

These things are hot!! And I'm a heavy metal guy!!![thumbup]

 

Hi J-D, Most Archtop players are taken in because of the versatlity of the instruments. I find that even more so with the mini-hums. Unless you're strictly an active pickup user for your heavy metal tone, you may find a desirable expansion path with mini-hums in a Archy.

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Seems we're alot alike in the tastes of our guitars (and storgae issues with cases msp_lol.gif ). So far the new music room is holding on to the increase in spaace demand, and my wife's tolerance for the onslaught of guitars in the last several months is equally holding on. msp_cool.gif

When I owned my '09 50th R9 Gibson LP it was limited to use in my home only because I couldn't muster the courage to bring it out to a jam and have it damaged. That's why I referred to it often as my anchor guitar, it held me down in the house. As mentioned, I ultimately sold in favor of finding other great guitars that I could play and enjoy without the worry. Epi offers enough to do that, and I've been fortunate enough to that and replenish my archtops which I very much enjoy playing. At the same time, I can apporeiate those who opt for the Gibson 335's and the like. And I would never say never to entertaining the thought of owning one. But like you mentioned, it's great finding these awesome Epiphines that play and sound great at a fraction of the cost.

 

Yes we do.

Congratulations on the twins.

I agree that Gibsons are great, and if I was in the position I would probably purchase one or two or fivemsp_biggrin.gif.

I normally do not take the electrics to our monthly get together, rather one or two acoustics.

But when I host the group, mine are open for any one to play.

(we are in our 40's - 50's. Somewhat responsible.

 

You are having a great start to 2012.

My 355 has put the hold on other purchases this year until later in the year.

I just posted an image in another thread about the Limited Edition Pelham Blue ES-355.

If they are available in November, that just might be my next new purchase.

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1333365788[/url]' post='1167662']

Yes we do.

Congratulations on the twins.

I agree that Gibsons are great, and if I was in the position I would probably purchase one or two or fivemsp_biggrin.gif.

I normally do not take the electrics to our monthly get together, rather one or two acoustics.

But when I host the group, mine are open for any one to play.

(we are in our 40's - 50's. Somewhat responsible.

 

You are having a great start to 2012.

My 355 has put the hold on other purchases this year until later in the year.

I just posted an image in another thread about the Limited Edition Pelham Blue ES-355.

If they are available in November, that just might be my next new purchase.

 

Thanks! Sounds like our jam groups are very similar. I saw the ES-355 in PB ou mentioed. Very cool, especially with the chrome appointments! Possibly a HNGD in your future...msp_thumbup.gifmsp_thumbup.gifmsp_thumbup.gifmsp_thumbup.gif

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1333381101[/url]' post='1167927']

Thinking about it.

I had just posted this in that thread, but it looks like the 355 is TV Pelham Blue.

Not sure how nice the grain is on the 355s.

But it will be worth look see.

 

Keep us updated if you land it...

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It's interesting, that you could get a "Riviera" (or, any Epiphone) from an AIMM dealer.

Supposedly, Gibson/Epiphone doesn't participate, with those dealers. :-k[confused][unsure]

I wonder, if they (the AIMM dealer) got it, from a participating Euro, or Canadian dealer,

if indeed, that's possible??? Very interesting!

 

 

CB

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I was fortunate to have found one of the last 06 Unsung Rivieras on e-bay.

I'll put in a plug here for the recently discontinued Valensi Riviera, made by Unsung in Korea. The P94 pickups deliver a great tone, build quality is high, and if you like skinney necks you're in business. This model should be floating around for a while in terms of availability, but the website does list them as no longer being made.

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