jerome_travis Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Dear friends, just like to know if any of you have owned this particular fiery chick. Since Epiphone has backordered the Riviera P94 till July I have no choice but to search for Greener Pastures.. Pros and Cons of this model? I am well aware that it is very heavy, but is it really an issue? appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Love it, love it, abso-friggin'-lutely LOVE IT! If you get a chance to pick one up in good shape and fair price ... my advice would be to do it immediately! The Epiphone version is NOT neck-through like the Gibson, only carved to look that way, but the combination of the mini-humbuckers and the reverse headstock really give this guitar a unique sound. It sort of sounds Fender-ish ... but much thicker and warmer. Like I said ... unique! I don't find it to be that neck-heavy, myself ... nor have I had any issues with the Maestro Vibrola although I don't try to "dive-bomb" with it ... just a gentle shimmer now and then. One of these days I'd like to replace the tuners with the proper banjo-style, but as it is, tuning is solid and stable. As for over-all weight ... well, it's not light, but I think it is nicely balanced and wears well on a thick strap. One thing is for sure, you won't see 30 of them if you show up with it for an audition or a jam session! They're kind of scarce, so good luck ... it's a great guitar and one of my favorites! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerome_travis Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 great lookin' guitar, jim! there's 2 of 'em floating in ebay for the moment so I'll try my luck there! Comparing a Les Paul and the Epi firbird, which is heavier? I have a bit of arthritis myself and it might be bad on me if it weighs too much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Probably dead even within a pound or so, Jerome. Certainly no heavier than an LP. The neck seems longer on the Firebird even though it really isn't. The deep cutaway on the one side and the lower shoulder on the other just makes it seem that way. Epiphone is not real great at listing the weights on their guitars, probably because hey can vary quite a bit. If I pick up the Firebird and my LP custom, the LP seems a bit heavier ... but not by much. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB08 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I saw a white one on CL for $600. probably one of the coolest looking guitars out there. I played a GIB once and the neck was just so fast and easy to play! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerome_travis Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 sad to say, those ebay dudes arent keep on shipping overseas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Love it' date=' love it, abso-friggin'-lutely LOVE IT! If you get a chance to pick one up in good shape and fair price ... my advice would be to do it immediately! The Epiphone version is NOT neck-through like the Gibson, only carved to look that way, but the combination of the mini-humbuckers and the reverse headstock really give this guitar a unique sound. It sort of sounds Fender-ish ... but much thicker and warmer. Like I said ... unique! I don't find it to be that neck-heavy, myself ... nor have I had any issues with the Maestro Vibrola although I don't try to "dive-bomb" with it ... just a gentle shimmer now and then. One of these days I'd like to replace the tuners with the proper banjo-style, but as it is, tuning is solid and stable. As for over-all weight ... well, it's not light, but I think it is nicely balanced and wears well on a thick strap. One thing is for sure, you won't see 30 of them if you show up with it for an audition or a jam session! They're kind of scarce, so good luck ... it's a great guitar and one of my favorites! Jim [img']http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/midiman56/SANY0040.jpg[/img] Jim, your f-bird is gorgeous!!! What brand/gauge of strings are you using ? mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks, mgm ... nice of you to say! I have the Firebird (as well as just about everything else 'cept for the bass, the Gretsch and one of the tele's) strung with Elixer Nanoweb Lights: 12052 Light .010 .013 .017 .026w .036w .046w I've been very happy with the sound and they last and last! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerome_travis Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 thats great! back here where the humidity is much higher, normal strings don't last more than a few days, even with cleaning.. you're lucky there, jim! so far I haven't seen a sunburst VII 2nd hand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgrmatt Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks' date=' mgm ... nice of you to say! I have the Firebird (as well as just about everything else 'cept for the bass, the Gretsch and one of the tele's) strung with Elixer Nanoweb Lights: 12052 Light .010 .013 .017 .026w .036w .046w I've been very happy with the sound and they last and last! Jim[/quote'] Thanks for the info Jim! I've never tried Elixer strings, I've always wondered ( probaly a misconception on my part ) if the fact that they have the special coating would sacrifice some tone? mgm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 You know, mgm, I had the same idea about the Nanoweb coating and tone loss. I'd been an Ernie Ball guy for years and years until a fellow musician begged me to try the Elixers. I was sold from that point on. They ring out nice and true and, like I said, just seem to go for months. Now obviously, Vegas is very dry and I seem to be very non-acidic (no problem with gold hardware whatsoever), so your mileage my vary ... but I just love 'em! Jerome - I know what you mean about the scarcity of the burst color. Seems as though there are a lot more of the red version around. I think that one it pretty cool looking too! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerome_travis Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 I swear by Dean Markley Blue Steels. They last pretty long in high humidity and have a nice spring to it! Perhaps I shld invest in the elixirs myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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