Soulguerilliero Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hey! I got an Epiphone Riviera WR as a hand-me-down from my uncle. It sounds and looks brilliant (looks like Noel Gallaghers one at the early years of Oasis). But I'm note quite sure about the guitars history (year of manufacture, finish & specification). Epiphone Riviera WR 3042264 The Riviera has got a white beatboard (sorry, I'm not sure if its the right word in English) and on top of the neck the "E" of Epiphone is in black. Most of the guitars I saw was not like this.... Does someone know if it is a Nitro-Finish and the year of manufacture? I think that this guitar is from Japan or Korea but I'm not quite sure. I hope someone argues the converse..... thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulguerilliero Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 The Guitar Dater Project said: "Your guitar was made at a factory not yet added to the database. But, added: April, 1993 with the production number 2264 Probably Korean, but could be Japanse, too. Is the number on the lable inside, only...or on the back of the headstock, too? Check under the bridge itself. They sometimes it says Made in Japan, if it's Japanese. Could be just the parts, if it's not original, too? There were models of this guitar made in Korea and Japan...so, it's hard to tell, sometimes. Oh, and the WR just means "Wind Red!" CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulguerilliero Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 Thanks for answering! On the lable Style: Riviera WR No.: "nothing" And at the end of the lable: A Division of Gibson INC, Kalamazoo, Michigan On the back of the headstock (only) the number: 3042264 Looks a little bit like this one: http://www.oldenburger-music-station.de/Epiphone%20Riviera%20HB.jpg but with a white beatboard! And it's not really the USA 1967s one you can see. Do you think it could be a Nitro finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hey! I got an Epiphone Riviera WR as a hand-me-down from my uncle. It sounds and looks brilliant (looks like Noel Gallaghers one at the early years of Oasis). But I'm note quite sure about the guitars history (year of manufacture' date=' finish & specification). Epiphone Riviera WR 3042264 The Riviera has got a white beatboard (sorry, I'm not sure if its the right word in English) and on top of the neck the "E" of Epiphone is in black. Most of the guitars I saw was not like this.... Does someone know if it is a Nitro-Finish and the year of manufacture? I think that this guitar is from Japan or Korea but I'm not quite sure. I hope someone argues the converse..... thx[/quote'] Made in April, 1983 in Japan at the Matsumoku (Aria) factory. The finish is polyurethane and the "white bread board" is called a truss rod cover and they were only white on the Asian-made versions. This line of guitars was of pretty high quality but only vaguely resembled the Kalamazoo-made Riviera. The Kalamazoo Riviera only ever had PAF mini humbuckers and either a Frequensator tail piece or a vibrato unit (Bigsby or Epiphone Vibrotone) where the Matsumoku version only ever had full-sized humbuckers (Usually two uncovered humbuckers with white bobbins though often with chrome covered full-sized humbuckers) and either a stop tail piece (most common) or a Frequensator tail piece. "WR": does stand for "wine red" and as I said, they were similar but still quite different from the original Kalamazoo/Gibson-made Rivieras of 1962-1970. Nelson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I have a wine red one from 1985 I believe. Some people have said 1975 but I'm not sure? Mine has the full size humbuckers and chrome covers. Stop tailpiece, which I prefer. I love the look and sound, and playability of this guitar. I love the way the fretboard binding covers the fret ends as well - pure quality. These are quality instruments. I hope you get lots of enjoyment from yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulguerilliero Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thanks a lot for all the answers! Now I know what kind of Riviera it is. Okay, it's a "cheaper" model but I love it and it also looks beautiful. Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thanks a lot for all the answers!Now I know what kind of Riviera it is. Okay' date=' it's a "cheaper" model but I love it and it also looks beautiful. Thx[/quote'] Well, it's an Asian model, but that doesn't mean it's not a great guitar! The Japanese versions, especially, are usually a cut above. And, as long as you love it, that's all that matters. As John Lennon used to say "It's All ****," anyway. So, enjoy it, no matter where it was made! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchie1281734003 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I`ve been a massive fan of Matsumoku made guitars since my first Westone Thunder in 1983, bang for buck they were great value in the late 70`s to early 80`s. Some I thought needed a pickup upgrade, but the electrics were usually pretty solid, and the build quality was quite a bit above average. I currently have two Casino`s and an Aria Pro II TA-60 which are Matsumoku made, and they are amongst my favourites. So if you have one(Or more) enjoy them, because they ain`t making any new ones!!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulguerilliero Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 Yeah, "It's All ****".. I read sometihing about Matsumoku, good woodworking manufacturer... So I just have some (stupid) questions: 1-> I want to keep my guitar out of the guitar case. So it's not a Nitro finish, is it okay (because of the beautiful looking) to keep it in my room? 2-> As you can see at my picture.... why isn't it a Stop-Tailpiece? nd.. 3-> Lot's of the Riviera Guitars got a Tailpiece to the end of the body (some "metal bars")? Is this a typically character of the age? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Yeah' date=' "It's All ****"..I read sometihing about Matsumoku, good woodworking manufacturer... So I just have some (stupid) questions: 1-> I want to keep my guitar out of the guitar case. So it's not a Nitro finish, is it okay (because of the beautiful looking) to keep it in my room? 2-> As you can see at my picture.... why isn't it a Stop-Tailpiece? nd.. 3-> Lot's of the Riviera Guitars got a Tailpiece to the end of the body (some "metal bars")? Is this a typically character of the age? [/quote'] Those Rivieras have the Frequensator tailpiece. The originals (Kalamazoo) models had that, or in some instances, a vibrato tailpiece. Some the the Asian versions have those, too. A lot have the stop tailpiece (like yours), and full size humbuckers. The originals, as has been stated previously, had mini-humbuckers, and the Frequensator or Vibrato tailpieces. As to keeping your guitar out of the case...by all means! If you use a guitar stand, make sure it's one with the foam "socks" that will not "react" to the finish. Although, I think that is more a problem, with "Nitro" finishes, it's still a good idea. Most newer stands have the non-toxic foam, seemingly, anyway. Keep it away from furnace vents, and or direct sunlight...hot windows, etc. (Common sense stuff, you know?) IF you have small children around, then keep it in the case!!! LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulguerilliero Posted November 5, 2008 Author Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thank you very much! You helped me quite a lot... I'm so happy, I've to play some rockin tunes now. Thank you and regards from Germany! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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