Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Vidéo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mamb72WsFng Hi everybody :) I've been looking for an Epiphone Riviera for years - the "stock" model, so Mini hums and frequensator needed - but those are really rare on the second hand market, and often too expensive, even the korean ones. So, as I was satisfied with a recent wilshire '66 "worn" reissue (nice axe except the mini hums, nothing close to the real mini hums), I decided to give a try to a made in china Riviera "limited edition". She's here since yesterday: First surprise: the finish is flawless, and the nice see-thru poly varnish let see a very beautifull table - it almost looks like nitro. Second good surprise: I was waiting for cheap ceramic mini hums, instead I get alnico waxpotted ones, with enamel wire. Most important, it translates beautifully to the plugged-in tone: biting (but not in a harsh way), warm and articulate - all I was hoping for. After my own setup (factory setup was good btw but I always set a guitar to my specifications) and fresh strings, the guitar plays nicely, the fretwork is perfect, there's no buzz, the tone and volume pots are working smoothly (no "ON/OFF" syndrom) and I really love the feeling the frequensator gives, especially on the bass strings. "Made in china" won't never be a problem for me anymore, quality-wise and as long as it concers Epi semi-solids: I'm sold. Isn't it a beauty? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Absolutely beautiful. I don't understand why Epi doesn't have this model in the current lineup. The frequensator and the mini-hums are so nice. That finish looks spectacular as well. Where did you acquire that, if you don't mind my asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Lovely guitar you scored Loco, and a great little video to show it off, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, HNGD. BTW, great collection of cases you have there too, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Absolutely beautiful. I don't understand why Epi doesn't have this model in the current lineup. The frequensator and the mini-hums are so nice. That finish looks spectacular as well. Where did you acquire that, if you don't mind my asking? Find it at "Thomann", the large european (german) instrument store - looks like they only had one left. Didn't think twice ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Find it at "Thomann", the large european (german) instrument store - looks like they only had one left. Didn't think twice ;) Well, obviously you made a good choice and, I enjoyed the "bluesy" video too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues335 Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Hey doc what is the serial number on that chinese beauty........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Congrats on the new guitar. Looks like a beauty. One thing I'd like to ask though. Where you say in your OP "So, as I was satisfied with a recent wilshire '66 "worn" reissue (nice axe except the mini hums, nothing close to the real mini hums)" I was surprised. The pups fitted to the Wilshire are pretty much the same spec, probably the same pups, as the Riviera with Alnico 5 magnets, wax potting etc. I just wondered why you thought they were nothing close to the real mini hums? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Congrats on the new guitar. Looks like a beauty. One thing I'd like to ask though. Where you say in your OP "So, as I was satisfied with a recent wilshire '66 "worn" reissue (nice axe except the mini hums, nothing close to the real mini hums)" I was surprised. The pups fitted to the Wilshire are pretty much the same spec, probably the same pups, as the Riviera with Alnico 5 magnets, wax potting etc. I just wondered why you thought they were nothing close to the real mini hums? I know, seems weird to me too, but the fact is: on the Wilshire, the miniH sound blurry, fat and rather dark (especially the neck one) - nothing close to "real" mini H (I've played a couple of vintage Epi before); but on the Riviera, it's exactly the right tone, very close to the vintage Gibson LP Deluxe of a friend. And I'm sure it's not only about woods or body construction (the Wilshire's unplugged tone is rather pleasant, but doesn't translate when plugged in). My only guess is that it's not the same pickups (btw the Wilshire is made in indonesia and this riviera made in china, so the pickups may as well be different?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyGibson Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Great demo to wake up to on a Saturday morning while I have my first cup of coffee. Epi would definitely do themselves a favor if they started offering their European offerings over here. Nice playing, nice finish, nice guitar. Looks like you're enjoying her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Hey doc what is the serial number on that chinese beauty........ 11041500122 I bet 15 april 2011 is the production date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Did you do any height adjustment to the mini-hums on the Wilshire ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyg Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Did you do any height adjustment to the mini-hums on the Wilshire ??? That was going to be my next question because the Wilshire I own is very nearly as bright and open sounding as my Telecaster but with a little more "body" to the sound. I appreciate that the Wilshire is made in Indonesia (and pretty well IMO) but I'm not sure that also applies to the pickups or any of the other hardware. One tip I'll give you is to take off the scratchplate and check the wiring. The solder joints on mine were very poor even though it worked fine. I have since resoldered those joints which may have improved things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 That was going to be my next question because the Wilshire I own is very nearly as bright and open sounding as my Telecaster but with a little more "body" to the sound. I appreciate that the Wilshire is made in Indonesia (and extremely well IMO) but I'm not sure that also applies to the pickups or any of the other hardware. Great minds think alike hey John, LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Did you do any height adjustment to the mini-hums on the Wilshire ??? Sure did, I do my own setups for decades now ;) (not ony pickup height, but pole adjustment too - there was an improvment from the stock setup, but still far from the tone I get with the Riviera, sharp, warm and articulate - on the other side the Wilshire' pickup sounds more like regular humbucker than minis I think). And there's no wiring problem on the wilshire - the tone is bright yes, but the bass are way too muddy for such a guitar. Once again, no muddyness with the Riviera (riviera - mud .. funny isn't it? :) ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsyseven Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 I envy you...i ordered one of these some time ago, but unfortunately it came with a broken headstock...and it was the last one i found... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 I envy you...i ordered one of these some time ago, but unfortunately it came with a broken headstock...and it was the last one i found... Ow :( - bad luck day (BTW there's something I never understand: you order both the guitar and the hardcase, and they send you TWO packs, instead of sending you the guitar in the case ...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blues335 Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Ow :( - bad luck day (BTW there's something I never understand: you order both the guitar and the hardcase, and they send you TWO packs, instead of sending you the guitar in the case ...) So why aint Thomann got any more of these......must have been a pretty short run is it like those 1959 Les pauls I fancied then they disappeared....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Made in April 2011 at factory 15 = Gibson/Epi owned QingDao plant, China Thx! What about this Qingdao plant? Something special (good/bad reputation?) or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 Any chance to see the content of the other cases............. Someday - but there's a lot of them, so that's a lot of work - there's some Gretsch, Gibson, Fender ... the usual suspects I bet ;) And there's this US Casino 1965 model :) : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis M. Butler Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 It seems you got the last one........ It was up for two days - and is now gone... Thomann had a great deal, 425 Euro with thomann-case (which is a RockCase) Congrats ! I ordered mine Wednesday! Looks like we got the last 2! Mine was shipped Thursday so I'm hoping to have it this week! I got the case too in a bundle for €413!!! Couldnt believe my luck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 I ordered mine Wednesday! Looks like we got the last 2! Mine was shipped Thursday so I'm hoping to have it this week! I got the case too in a bundle for €413!!! Couldnt believe my luck!!! You'll be delighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaSTuS Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 I ordered mine Wednesday! Looks like we got the last 2! Mine was shipped Thursday so I'm hoping to have it this week! I got the case too in a bundle for €413!!! Couldnt believe my luck!!! Great score Trev, very lucky too by the sound of it, hope it arrives soon for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis M. Butler Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 thanks all! I'm extatic! I will upload pics too when mine arrives :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis M. Butler Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Congrats, too Feel free to start a "HNGD" thread when it has arrived. apologies for my stupidity, what does HNGD stand for? I'm new to this forum stuff.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Loco Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 apologies for my stupidity, what does HNGD stand for? I'm new to this forum stuff.... Happy new guitar day ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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