Epiphone Rivoli

[contrabassie]

Two questions:

1. I was offered an epiphone rivoli (one pickup version, a 90's reissue). The tone knob and (bas-boost-)selector are bridged in this bass. Why would someone do that? I've heard some negative things about the rivoli reissue pickups. Should this have something to do with it? (it's offererd by a reseller and he couldn't give me more information and I can't try the bass before buying - it's 1000 kms from my place)

2. I'm also able to buy a Gretsch g6072. What would you prefer: a epiphone rivoli or the gretsch? Knowing that the last one is more expensive (maybe more expensive than I can afford at the moment - but also maybe worth waiting?).

 

[Peck_Time]

I'd hold off on the Rivoli unless it's a really good price. Having said that, I feel that the Gretsch basses are overpriced as well. I owned a Broadkaster bass for a while and was not impressed. BTW, those 'Filtertron Bass' pickups are Gretsch guitar pickups with the tops hidden.

If you want a hollowbody, look at the Allen Woody Rumblekat or the Jack Casady or a Jerry Jones Longhorn.

 

[lunarpollen]

I love my reissue Rivoli except for it's stock pickup, which is weak and microphonic. The bass is light, and with some nice flatwounds on it (i put Pyramid short scale on mine) it's fun to plonk away for hours on it... A few days ago I purchased a new pickup (advertised as "Artec Custom Hot 4 String Bass Pickup 30K Ohms Chrome") on eBay and I'm still waiting for it to arrive.... I am so eager to get my Rivoli up and running again (I have it partially disassembled right now)

 

[Bassman822]

You might want to look into one of the Ibanez artcore models. They have recieved some good reviews, are reasonbly priced, and you can always put a darkstar pu in it