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Epiphone Riviera-6 Wanted!


aksyonoff

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I'm searchin' for Epiphone Riviera-6 (mini humbuckers) made in Korea in 90s or later.

 

aksyonoff@gmail.com

 

37193_l.jpg

 

 

The one pictured, is either an Elitist (with a plain TRC), or..the newer Chinese version!

(Or, possibly, a vintage USA) The Korean version has the (incorrect) "crown" inlay, in the

Headstock. The Elitist, Chinese, and (obviously) Vintage version have the "oval" inlay, as

is displayed, in your photo.

 

IF you can't find, or afford, the Elitist, I'd go with the newer Chinese version...as it's

historically correct, spec wise, and very well constructed! The Elitist, would be the

best version, aside from an original vintage version.

 

Good Luck...they all pop up, now and then, on E-bay. And, priced accordingly.

 

CB

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The one pictured, is either an Elitist (with a plain TRC), or..the newer Chinese version!

(Or, possibly, a vintage USA) The Korean version has the (incorrect) "crown" inlay, in the

Headstock. The Elitist, Chinese, and (obviousl) Vintage version have the "oval" inlay, as

is displayed, in your photo.

 

IF you can't find, or afford, the Elitist, I'd go with the newer Chinese version...as it's

historically correct, spec wise, and very well constructed! The Elitist, would be the

best version, aside from and original vintage version.

 

Good Luck...they all pop up, now and then, on E-bay. And, priced accordingly.

 

CB

 

I guess you was right [thumbup] Thanks!

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The one pictured, is either an Elitist (with a plain TRC), or..the newer Chinese version!

(Or, possibly, a vintage USA) The Korean version has the (incorrect) "crown" inlay, in the

Headstock. The Elitist, Chinese, and (obviously) Vintage version have the "oval" inlay, as

is displayed, in your photo.

 

IF you can't find, or afford, the Elitist, I'd go with the newer Chinese version...as it's

historically correct, spec wise, and very well constructed! The Elitist, would be the

best version, aside from an original vintage version.

 

Good Luck...they all pop up, now and then, on E-bay. And, priced accordingly.

 

CB

That's indeed an elitist.

Biggest giveaway would be the body shape, it has a much smoother waist and pointier ears vs the MIK and MIC ones, much more historically accurate body shape when combined with elongated headstock of the mid/late 60's models. I have the recent MIC one, and I can no longer stand to look at it due to the Mickey Mouse ears and the weird top "carve" (I know it's vacuumpressed but I can't find a word for it, perhaps "arch" is a better word), aswell as the weird transition between the ears and the waist. Oh and it's also missing internal kerfed bracing, the Trc is undersized, etc on the MIC one

 

Also in the photo it can just barely see the word "elite" or "elitist" printed on the TRC, combined with the oval headstock inlay.

 

I'm saving up for a vintage Riviera now, but if I'd buy a modern one I wouldn't settle for anything less than an Elitist, all the inaccuracies of the MIC/K would just drive me insane eventually (as my current MIC is currently doing). I recommend the OP to start looking for an elitist if accurate specs are important.

All the mini HB ones do sound quite nice regardless of origin though (IMHO)

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That's indeed an elitist.

Biggest giveaway would be the body shape, it has a much smoother waist and pointier ears vs the MIK and MIC ones, much more historically accurate body shape when combined with elongated headstock of the mid/late 60's models. I have the recent MIC one, and I can no longer stand to look at it due to the Mickey Mouse ears and the weird top "carve" (I know it's vacuumpressed but I can't find a word for it, perhaps "arch" is a better word), aswell as the weird transition between the ears and the waist. Oh and it's also missing internal kerfed bracing, the Trc is undersized, etc on the MIC one

 

Also in the photo it can just barely see the word "elite" or "elitist" printed on the TRC, combined with the oval headstock inlay.

 

I'm saving up for a vintage Riviera now, but if I'd buy a modern one I wouldn't settle for anything less than an Elitist, all the inaccuracies of the MIC/K would just drive me insane eventually (as my current MIC is currently doing). I recommend the OP to start looking for an elitist if accurate specs are important.

All the mini HB ones do sound quite nice regardless of origin though (IMHO)

 

Agreed! Elitist, or Vintage (obviously)...if you want "historically" correct, including "Gibson" type Truss Rod, and 2-hole TRC cover.

 

And YES, there IS a difference, in quality between Elitist, and the Korean, and Chinese versions!

It's always been quite apparent, to me, anytime I've tried them, side by side.

 

CB

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Agreed! Elitist, or Vintage (obviously)...if you want "historically" correct, including "Gibson" type Truss Rod, and 2-hole TRC cover.

Actually, Elitists do not always have Gibson-style truss rods, or two hole trussrod covers, including my own Elitist Casino.

 

The AIUSA Sheraton and Casino do indeed have both of these features, which of course is interesting since Terada made the bodies for the AIUSA models as well as the hollow & semi-hollowbody Elitists.

 

Another foray into the wonderfully diverse world of Epi specs!

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Actually, Elitists do not always have Gibson-style truss rods, or two hole trussrod covers, including my own Elitist Casino.

 

The AIUSA Sheraton and Casino do indeed have both of these features, which of course is interesting since Terada made the bodies for the AIUSA models as well as the hollow & semi-hollowbody Elitists.

 

Another foray into the wonderfully diverse world of Epi specs!

 

REALLY??? Hmmmm, I guess the one's I've seen have all been AIUSA versions, then?

"I coulda Swored they did!" [biggrin]

 

So, do all Elitist models have the (dreaded) Bottomless Asian Well, type hole, and "allen wrench" truss rod?

Maybe it's just one more thing, by Gibson, to keep "Epiphone" in it's "proper" import place?! [cursing]

 

Guess I'll have to save for a "Vintage" version, after all?! Oh Lord!! [tongue][biggrin]

 

CB

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So, do all Elitist models have the (dreaded) Bottomless Asian Well, type hole, and "allen wrench" truss rod?

Not really sure on that, CB. Only know about my Casino, but I also have noted that the headstock is a different shape on the Elitist Sheraton from the AIUSA Sheraton, and it sports a three hole truss rod cover. This makes me suspect one would find an allen wrench truss rod lurking under the TRC of the Elitist Sheraton. That said, it seems possible that some other Elitists might carry a Gibson style truss rod - but probably not the Riviera being discussed in this thread.

 

Re Elitist truss rod covers, this is taken from the '04 Epi catalog:

 

>Two hole covers: Byrdland, Atkins Country Gent, 335 Dot, SG, all Les Pauls.

>Three hole covers: Broadway, Casino, Sheraton, Riviera, Texan, J45, J200, L-00.

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Not really sure on that, CB. Only know about my Casino, but I also have noted that the headstock is a different shape on the Elitist Sheraton from the AIUSA Sheraton, and it sports a three hole truss rod cover. This makes me suspect one would find an allen wrench truss rod lurking under the TRC of the Elitist Sheraton. That said, it seems possible that some other Elitists might carry a Gibson style truss rod - but probably not the Riviera being discussed in this thread.

 

Re Elitist truss rod covers, this is taken from the '04 Epi catalog:

 

>Two hole covers: Byrdland, Atkins Country Gent, 335 Dot, SG, all Les Pauls.

>Three hole covers: Broadway, Casino, Sheraton, Riviera, Texan, J45, J200, L-00.

 

So, it sounds like, by that...that the "Gibson" clone Elitist Epi's have the Gibson

Truss rod (and expected 2-hole cover), and the models that are actual Epiphone

original models (not Gibson clones) have the 3-hole cover, and (most likely)

the allen wrench type truss rod...even though, originally, the Kalamazoo versions

would have had the Gibson style, as well. Well, no big deal, really...except in

"historical accuracy." [tongue]

 

I don't really have a problem with the "allen wrench" type truss rods, as much as

I have REAL problem, with some of the "Chinese" versions, that have an excess

amount of wood removed (large opening), and deep recessed access to said truss

rod. We all know, that area is not the strongest, to begin with, given the

headstock angle, etc. So, when they carve even more wood away, I get "nervous!"

My old P-93 Riviera has such a "deep well" of a truss rod hole. [scared]

 

Maybe, the newer ones are better??? [unsure] But, I still don't understand

the "logic," in that concept, especially in that much weaker area, of the neck-

headstock. Why not make them like the original Kalamazoo versions, and have a

bit more wood around the truss rod??? [tongue]:rolleyes:

 

CB

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So, it sounds like, by that...that the "Gibson" clone Elitist Epi's have the Gibson

Truss rod (and expected 2-hole cover), and the models that are actual Epiphone

original models (not Gibson clones) have the 3-hole cover, and (most likely)

the allen wrench type truss rod...even though, originally, the Kalamazoo versions

would have had the Gibson style, as well.

Interesting thought, CB.

 

Maybe in the future we'll be able to add to this thread

with some additional first hand info.

 

These variations can seem kind of maddening at times,

but it's also kinda fun to track down what's really out there!

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