stevezapp Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hey guys, I've just acquired an Epi Riviera and i'd like to know a little more about it. I've done a bit of research and can't find much on her. Do they still make these guitars? What kind of value is she? Are they rare? Any info would be great. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 The stock Riviera is no longer being produced. They didn't compete well with the Sheratons, though the two are very similar guitars. They are rarer than the Sheratons and Dots, and some fellows would be willing to pay a bit more due to that (the Epiphiles, that is). There is only one book on Epiphones (a paperback), and it is out of print. Used copies of it run $100 - $150, so you'll have to rely on someone like Jerrymac for historical information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K.E.B.1281734147 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Nice aquisition. You might want to trim those strings. Easy to put an eye out with those! Welcome to the forum. Oh, and show a photo of the serial number or just post it. With that we can determine age and birth place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Your's is an Asian (full sized humbucker) version, either Japanese, or Korean...post 1969-70. USA...Kalamazoo made (and later Japanese made "Elitist") Rivieras had "mini-humbuckers," 2 hole Truss Rod Covers (except the Elitist, which was also 3 hole, that had "Elite" on earlier versions, and "Elitist" engraved, on the later incarnations). USA were "Nitro" finished, Asian are "Poly," finished. Standard Japanese (non-Elistist) and Korean use Asian electronics and pickups. USA and "Elitist" use American electronics, and pickups (mini-humbuckers). USA and Elitist versions have a similar inlay in the headstock to that of the current "Dot," as opposed to the "Gibson Crown" inlay, common on most other Asian made versions. www.epiphone.com/images/N_VGriv.pdf (Some info on USA Rivieras) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Your's is an Asian (full sized humbucker) version' date=' either Japanese, or Korean...post 1969-70. USA...Kalamazoo made (and later Japanese made "Elitist") Rivieras had "mini-humbuckers," 2 hole Truss Rod Covers (except the Elitist, which was also 3 hole, that had "Elite" on earlier versions, and "Elitist" engraved, on the later incarnations). USA were "Nitro" finished, Asian are "Poly," finished. Standard Japanese (non-Elistist) and Korean use Asian electronics and pickups. USA and "Elitist" use American electronics, and pickups (mini-humbuckers). USA and Elitist versions have a similar inlay in the headstock to that of the current "Dot," as opposed to the "Gibson Crown" inlay, common on most other Asian made versions. www.epiphone.com/images/N_VGriv.pdf (Some info on USA Rivieras) CB[/quote'] Crown? I thought that was a frog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Flick Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hey guys' date=' I've just acquired an Epi Riviera and i'd like to know a little more about it. I've done a bit of research and can't find much on her. Do they still make these guitars? What kind of value is she? Are they rare? Any info would be great. Steve [/quote'] I had one (a gold Sparkle) that was made in '98. In the early 2000s they switched over to mini humbuckers (I had a 2004). Both those Rivieras were made by Peerless (Factory Code = R), and were really nice guitars. If you check the serial #, it should start with a letter that indicated factory, followed by numbers indicating the year. Assuming yours is a Peerless, it would look like R98Cxxxx. C would indicate March, 98 the year. Peerless uses a letter to indicate the month, the other factories generally use a number. S9803xxxx would mean Samick factory March 1998. Dots and Sheratons are much more common, But I wouldn't classify the Riviera as being rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I had one (a gold Sparkle) that was made in '98. In the early 2000s they switched over to mini humbuckers (I had a 2004). Both those Rivieras were made by Peerless (Factory Code = R)' date=' and were really nice guitars. If you check the serial #, it should start with a letter that indicated factory, followed by numbers indicating the year. Assuming yours is a Peerless, it would look like R98Cxxxx. C would indicate March, 98 the year. Peerless uses a letter to indicate the month, the other factories generally use a number. S9803xxxx would mean Samick factory March 1998. Dots and Sheratons are much more common, But I wouldn't classify the Riviera as being rare. [center'][/center] Nice Looking Gold Riviera, Jerrynac! Why did you sell it? And, why didn't you sell it...TO ME?! LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 jerrymac, that was a gorgeous looking Riviera, It would have been hard for me to let it go. Riviera are getting harder to find,especially in Vintage Sunburst. There have been a few MIK on ebay lately with some with the regular sized humbuckers going for around $700.00. I am waiting on a 96 MIK Deep Red I bought last week the BIN was $425.00 so I figured I'd better get it while I had the chance to. mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I think the riviera is a bit of an elusive model rather than rare. A bit like the Peerless Casinos. They're not necessarily collectors items but there's something about them... I'd love one in sunburst! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Flick Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Nice Looking Gold Riviera' date=' Jerrymac! Why did you sell it? And, why didn't you sell it...TO ME?! LOL![/quote'] jerrymac' date=' that was a gorgeous looking Riviera, It would have been hard for me to let it go. Riviera are getting harder to find,especially in Vintage Sunburst. There have been a few MIK on ebay lately with some with the regular sized humbuckers going for around $700.00. I am waiting on a 96 MIK Deep Red I bought last week the BIN was $425.00 so I figured I'd better get it while I had the chance to. mgm[/quote'] I think the riviera is a bit of an elusive model rather than rare. A bit like the Peerless Casinos. They're not necessarily collectors items but there's something about them... I'd love one in sunburst! Mark it down as a mistake. One of many. The only Riviera I have left is the 12 string Elitist in my sig. $425, that's a real good price mgm!!! Enjoy!!! The quality of the Peerless guitars seems to be top notch. My Lucille is a Peerless, I love that axe!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevezapp Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Many thanks for all the info fellas, much appreciated. I'll post the serial later on so we can figure out when she was made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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