• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

HOW COME...(Epiphone Rivoli content ahead)

johnp352

johnp352

Aug 19, 2005
1,132
476
Chicago
www.johnpazdan.com
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Rick Turner, GK
#1
I have been looking for a good epi rivoli or eb2 for a while..and watched as the prices go up and down etc..still haven't got one. However i am seriously looking again..

A while back, epiphone released a series of reissued guitars..coronet wilshire crestwood, the ultra rare badger on toast as played by paul weller once and put away..etc..and part of that series was supposed to include a Rivoli..it was even in the friggin japanese initial catalog..but was pulled before it made it out of the country...prolly to make room for the Macca driftwood model.

Epi makes a LOT of reissues..especially in the 335 style..why don't they just put all of us out of our misery and reissue the Rivoli? A good one too, with real pickups and a real bridge.
 
#2
The Gibson ES335 bass, which was essentially an EB-2 reissue with different pickups didn't sell all that well, as far as I know. Likewise, I'm not sure the Midtown bass is selling well. I don't know how well they did with the Rivoli reissue they put out in the 1990s, and likewise, I'm not sure how the Jack Cassady bass sells, either. For every one of us who likes them, there are probably a dozen people who sneer at them, and there are quite a few of us who already own old ones. This is pure speculation on my part, so if somebody has a better explanation, I'm more than happy to be corrected.
 
#3
I AM THE BASSMAN will chime in here soon..but a real 30" RI, not the Gibson moderne stuff..through Epi to keep the price real..AFA how many..I wonder how many Dwight Yoakum guitars they sold..this is what I don't get..they put goofy stuff out all the time, but one of the true classics? NAW.

Gaolee said:
The Gibson ES335 bass, which was essentially an EB-2 reissue with different pickups didn't sell all that well, as far as I know. Likewise, I'm not sure the Midtown bass is selling well. I don't know how well they did with the Rivoli reissue they put out in the 1990s, and likewise, I'm not sure how the Jack Cassady bass sells, either. For every one of us who likes them, there are probably a dozen people who sneer at them, and there are quite a few of us who already own old ones. This is pure speculation on my part, so if somebody has a better explanation, I'm more than happy to be corrected.
Click to expand...
 
#4
I have an EB-2 that I have had since the early 1980s and will keep it until I keel over. That tells you what I think about those bass guitars. I'm one of those people who would love to see Gibson, Epiphone, or whoever, build them again, but I'm also one of those people who doesn't need two of them. Like I said, I'm just guessing, and if you read what gets said about them here, you know that a whole lot of people dismiss them as mud factories that aren't suitable for much of anything.

Mine is the two pickup model and has a Dimarzio One instead of the stock mudbucker, so it may not be representative of the usual EB-2 or Rivoli, but it is very versatile. I get all kinds of sounds out of it, from vintage thump to Entwhistle snarl.
 
#5
that's what I am looking for..a modded player, yours sounds great.

tell me something..is the body of the eb-2 the same size as a 335? I was thinking that Epi already has the body done.then.

Gaolee said:
I have an EB-2 that I have had since the early 1980s and will keep it until I keel over. That tells you what I think about those bass guitars. I'm one of those people who would love to see Gibson, Epiphone, or whoever, build them again, but I'm also one of those people who doesn't need two of them. Like I said, I'm just guessing, and if you read what gets said about them here, you know that a whole lot of people dismiss them as mud factories that aren't suitable for much of anything.

Mine is the two pickup model and has a Dimarzio One instead of the stock mudbucker, so it may not be representative of the usual EB-2 or Rivoli, but it is very versatile. I get all kinds of sounds out of it, from vintage thump to Entwhistle snarl.
Click to expand...
 
#6
I think it is. As far as I know, it's a 335 body with a 30" neck. You are absolutely right that all Epiphone or Gibson would have to do is put a different neck on a 335 body. They already have those necks, since they make 30" necks for EB-0 and SG bass guitars. I doubt it would cost too much to make a new EB-2 or Rivoli from parts they already have. They even have the pickups and wiring harness, since the modern SG bass is visually the same as an EB-3 (same pickups as my EB-2dc was before somebody modified it), but are wound to sound more modern. It's a good question. I don't know why they don't make something like that.
 
#8
Hi Folks... came across this thread today on this site by some bizarre coincidence: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/67-epihone-rivoli-question.723687/

Anyway, this bass (a 67 Epiphone Rivoli) is now in my possession and I'm wondering if anyone can clarify for me whether the neck is a 'repair' or not. From what I can tell there seems to be lots of this model that looks like this. Anyway, the bass is for sale and I'm curious whether it's in original condition or not. It sounds epic but that doesn't necessarily prove anything.
Cheers in advance for any forthcoming help.
Andy.
 
#9
The way I look at it, Gibson/Epiphone sell a hell of a lot more guitars than most of their other products. I would assume that if they can make room for another guitar (especially in the beginner price range) they will do so, because it will sell.

For a lot of bass players (definitely not all!) Gibson designs just don't work incredibly well from an ergonomic stand point. Some of the designs are great, like the t-bird and eb-o IMO, but there are a lot which just don't feel right to me and a lot of other bass players I've talked to. There is a huge difference for me when I pick up a Les Paul guitar and a Les Paul bass. The Quality and materials are definitely up to snuff with the epi stuff; I'm a fan of their guitars and the bang for the buck. With the basses,to me, the feel just isn't where it needs to be.

-Ron
 
#10
The Mill said:
Hi Folks... came across this thread today on this site by some bizarre coincidence: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/67-epihone-rivoli-question.723687/

Anyway, this bass (a 67 Epiphone Rivoli) is now in my possession and I'm wondering if anyone can clarify for me whether the neck is a 'repair' or not. From what I can tell there seems to be lots of this model that looks like this. Anyway, the bass is for sale and I'm curious whether it's in original condition or not. It sounds epic but that doesn't necessarily prove anything.
Cheers in advance for any forthcoming help.
Andy.
Click to expand...

I posted this on the other Rivoli thread as well, Andy, but, short answer; no, it's not original. The neck has been changed, and AFAIK, nothing on Rivolis were ever gold plated (although Gibson/Epiphone were easier too get custom stuff from, back then). They, along with their successors, the EA-5120 and EA-260, were all short scale basses (30.5"), and that one is a 34" scale now.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back