Epiphone Rivoli?

[Avezzano]

I own the only prototype that was ever built so far. It is a long scale EB-2 /Rivoli.

Actually they have done some more (news from september last year, see below link) but nothing yet out for sale. I inquired Roman and I offered to buy the natural prototype, we even got to the amount of money... but he did not get back to me.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/eb2-clones-east-europe-bachmusik-920404/

 

[Meddle]

I'm surprised SCMB (or whatever his name is) hasn't turned up yet to tactlessly remind us of how much an Epiphone Rivoli, or EB-2, sucks in his all-important opinion. I swear that guy has Google notifications set up so he gets alerts when such threads get posted.

 

[One Drop]

I've played a few originals- very well made and nice playing HBs, but very much in the EB-2 camp, if not identical sounding.

I found them too inarticulate for me, a real 'sit-under-the mix' tone that can sound great in the right situation but that is fairly out of fashion these days.

The Casady is probably more versatile but doesn't have the luxurious feel of the Gibsons and the Rivolis, and the PUPs have a lot more present highs and high mids, making it a more versatile bass IMO.

Sorry to sound negative, I really wanted to be able to use them as they are a good deal on the vintage market and look and play so well. Not bad sounding, just limited.

My Harmony has way more highs on tap, FWIW, and I tried a friends Les Paul Signature that was a bit more middy, too.

 

[mpdd]

i'm holding out for a mid town or new guild import, but it's something i don't have to worry about, cause they're outside of my price range new

 

[boristhespider7]

My Harmony has way more highs on tap

Do you have a H22? I'd be really interested to hear how it compares sonically with a Rivoli? Love the look of the H22, although the Rivoli is a stunner too in the looks dept (IMO)

 

[One Drop]

Do you have a H22? I'd be really interested to hear how it compares sonically with a Rivoli? Love the look of the H22, although the Rivoli is a stunner too in the looks dept (IMO)

It's a nice thumpy and smooth sounding bass, goes very low and has a decent amount of highs, with Chrome flats anyway. The Rivoli is definitely muddier, which could be good or bad depending on your needs.

 

[svlilioukalani]

I have one of the newer ones. A very good bass. Probably better than a vintage Rivoli. To me the pickup is fine. And is just bright enough. Which is not the case on the older ones or on a Gibson EB-2.

They have the feel of a Good Gibson neck. And do play well, with a nice tight action.

My only issue is that there is a bit of hum to the electronics, due to the unshielded cavity. And that is a complicated fix.

People love the look of it. For me this will make a better 2nd or 3rd, or 28th bass.

There is a 1970"s for sale in the Seattle Craig's list going cheep.

 

[johnp352]

I've been trying to find out about the 50th anniversary Riv's..some say they've been pulled, while Music Zoo is still taking dp's on them for a possible later in the year release. Epi's original PR said there would be <1000 made, all 2 pu models in tb sunburst. Music Zoo has them listed at $832. MF HAD them up, but not anymore. At that price, obviously poly finish from China. I have a contact at Epi, trying to see whether this reissue is real or not. Meantime, anybody know what's going on with these?

 

[Avezzano]

Epi's original PR said there would be <1000 made, all 2 pu models in tb sunburst

when did you have this info? Months ago? Weeks? Is this a reliable info, in your opinion?

These below are from Thomann, when I asked about the possible Rivoli reissue (two weeks ago) this was the first answer:

Hello, epiphone-europe told us the epiphone-rivoli are not to be produced, sorry!

I replied; told about this thread, about heavy rumours and he:

Hello, believe me, our informations are correct (i asked epiphone europe again and they told me the informations are from the director of epiphone-europe), sorry.

 

[johnp352]

just found the info today..a google search will turn up several references...having said that, it's also possible that Epi simply pulled the plug on it..they did pull it out of the brochure listing the guitars..so, a lot of speculation, but..that's why I am asking.

Through searching for this today, I also came across some info I was unaware of..supposedly the UK rivoli's are "different" from the US ones of the same vintage..roughly 1964-65. This was in an ad on ebay for one..a VERY $$$$ one, so was the guy making it up?

And..here's an odd bit. In the Epi blog from 2011, they acquire a 1967 Rivoli, and go on to say how they "might" be doing a reissue. then comes the announcement that there will be one as part of the 50th Anniversary reissues..which means the bass would be a reissue of a '62..not a '67..

Ahh, simply some more speculation for TBers on a weekend. My local store is talking directly to the company and I hope to have an answer next week.

 

[Avezzano]

ok, waiting for news...

 

[johnp352]

A-I just read your edited reply- thanks for contacting the european dist. Epi is a strange company as is Gibson..who knows..i will post this week though to say what the company has to say.

In the meantime though..those Bach eB-2's (Rivoli's? we could call them that ) look great..but..they don't seem to be wanting to make them either? strange and stranger. Maybe time to look for a 2PU Korean Rivoli..Or bite the bullet and try to find a player 60's..I intend to use this bass, not look at.

Then there's also the new D'Angelico bass..or ..what I would like to see, a Gibson Midtown Custom, tricked out like their Midtown Custom guitars..inlays, nickel hardware, an espresso maker..

 

[Avezzano]

speaking of beautiful bollows, currently I have a Eastwood Classic 4 and a Dean Stylist B1 already; but my preference for a possible next buy will go to... the Starfire reissue! I am tired to cross my fingers for a remotely probable Rivoli reissue or to pray the Lord for an impossibe Coronado II new birth! Unless I get rich and spend 2000 euro for a rare original when one surfaces on the used market...

 

[johnp352]

A- I hate to bring it up then ...but have you seen the new D'Angelico bass? you haven't mentioned it..so i am assuming you haven't.

http://tinyurl.com/bpddrsz


Wonder what it plays/sounds like..

 

[Avezzano]

John, truth is (to each his own) I simply do not like the D'Angelico. I just like "fat-ass" hollows or semi-hollows like the EB2D or the Coronado or the Guild Starfire. For the same reason I do not like too much also the Midtown, once I realised it is just a scaled down version of the traditional 335 body. Something slightly larger than a Les Paul.

You know: you must have a love-at-first-sight thing with a bass and the D'Angelico does not speak to me; it is sort of a high end version of the Ibanez AF200... sorry!!! V.

 

[ThaCoast]

I'd love to get my hands on a vintage 60's one. Sunburst by preference. They have a unique look to me. But, i guess i'll wait for a while. as i'm acquiring a hagstrom viking bass sometime in the next months.

 

[bassstation]

if anyone is still reading this thread...

i had owned a 1967 rivoli for years and i really liked it. it is true that you will not get a wide range of tones, but i liked the deep bassy sound that it put out. when i bought it (for $217 back in 2001) it was really just a place holder until i could afford a gibson eb2, i now own 3 of 'em. although my first bass was a p-bass and it will always have a place in my heart, hollowbody basses are what i am into. so another bass suggestion would be the kay hollowbody reissue, i owned one it was pretty cool.

 

[Avezzano]

If you have a chance, try a Coronado reissue: you might like it!

 

[RED J]

mmm.....ravioli ...

Snicker snicker... That's what I call it, the Ravioli bass.

Id like one with one of these.

 

[RR-rambler]

The Epiphone Rivoli re-issue is a sweet bass. Nothing fancy but great tone, great playability. Have a Fender P51 re-issue that is sweet too, incredible playability and tone, again nothing fancy. For Alt Country, Blues, Folk the Epi hits the spot. Keep good time with the drummer and keep things steady and simple makes the whole band sound good. I played in a heavy blues/rock band for quite a number of years and for it I thought the Thunderbird bass gave more punch for louder music......older and mellower now.

Saw it on Reverb, built in 1999 from the well regarded factory in Korea at the time. I have an Epiphone 1998 335 Dot made in the same factory, love it so much I knew I could not go wrong, was not disappointed. And in keeping with TB "G.A.S." always need more than one bass, plus allows me to re-do the electronics in the P51.

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