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Epiphone Riviera
Thinline semi acoustic
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 | | Epiphone Riviera |
 1962 full line catalog
 An exciting new Spanish electric guitar with double cutaway construction and two humbucking pickups. One-piece mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod joins the body at the 20th fret |
 1964 full line catalog
The 1964 catalogue was the first to show the Epiphone Riviera in colour. |
 1966 full line catalog
Today the electric Spanish guitar is found everywhere... orchestras, combos, jazz bands and as a featured solo instrument. Epiphone electric Spanish guitars suit the need of every player, from the top professional, to the semi-pro, to the amateur. | 
Epiphone Riviera - Now! The Shape of Things To Come
Epiphone ad featuring the Riveira 6 string electric | 
Epiphone Riviera - Is There Something Fishy About Epiphone Guitars?
Crazy 'psychedelic fish' Epiphone ad from 1967 |
| Model | Riviera E360TD |
| Available | 1962-1969 |
| Pickups | Two mini humbuckers |
| Scale | 24 3/4" |
| Body | Maple top sides and back with black and white binding. 16" wide (lower bout), 19" long, 1 3/4" thick |
| Neck | One-piece set mahogany with binding, rosewood fingerboard with pearloid inlays. 22 frets, body meeting the neck at the 19th fret. |
| Hardware | 2 volume and 2 tone controls. Tune-o-matic bridge with frequensator tailpiece. |
| Finishes | Sunburst, Cherry from 1966
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The Epiphone range of the 1960s closely followed the Gibson guitars of the same time. The Riviera corresponds to the Gibson ES335 having the same dimensions and construction, but with different bridge, pickups and headstock. Like the ES335-12, the Riviera also had a 12-string version produdced from 1965. 1967 was the peak year for both models (in 6 and 12 string variations) but the Gibson version heavily outsold the Epiphone; a ratio of almost 8:1 for the 335, and 5:1 for the 335-12. Interestingly enough, the Epiphone was the same price or more expensive than the Gibson - a fact which must have played heavily on sales figures. For Gibson, having almost identical lines at very similar prices was a little pointless, and when Norlin took over in late 1969 these Epiphones were dropped
| Sales for the period 1962-1969 |
| manufacturer | model | shipping total | price (1/10/66) |
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| Epiphone | E360TD (Riviera) | 2556 | $395, $435 with tremotone vibrato |
| Gibson | ES-335TD | 19222 | $365, $380 cherry |
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| Epiphone | E360TD 12 (Riviera 12) | 446 | $410, $425 cherry |
| Gibson | ES-335TD-12 | 2016 | $410, $425 cherry |
The fact that two almost identical instrumets (335-12 and Riviera 12) at exactly the same price, should sell in such different numbers underlines the dominance of the Gibson brand even when Epiphones were made side by side in the same factory
Ironically, the 1967 publicity for the Riviera (right) claims the following...
Dealers don't push 'em a lot, celebrities don't endorse 'em lot, but Epiphone sells a lot. hmmmmmmmmmmm
No wheelin'. No dealin'. No hoopla. So why would Epiphone be one of the best selling guitars in the business? |
Production of the Riviera was resumed in the 1980s, and modern day Epiphone Riviera guitars are widely regard. Higher end Elitist, and signature models (Nick Valensi - The Strokes, Jorma Kaukonen - Jefferson Airplane) have also been available in limited numbers.
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Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar has a heritage as fascinating as the man whose name it bears. In 1966, during the recording of "Revolver," John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Epiphone Casino guitars. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduces 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casino guitars. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural Casino in "The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic guitars have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Epiphone includes a hardshell case wiht the '65 John Lennon Casino Electric Guitar. 
Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino
You'll love the light weight and comfortable neck of the Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino. The Elite series are instruments that approach custom shop perfection. Crafted with premium woods, fitted with American pickups and circuitry -even American-made toggle switches and Grover tuners-they're made at a special factory devoted to their manufacture where they receive a high degree of hands-on luthier attention. You'll find the Elite 1965 Casino true to the original made famous by The Beatles. A finely crafted, great-sounding, and easy-playing instrument that beautifully blurs the line between Epiphone and Gibson. Includes hardshell case 
Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar without doubt showcases Epiphone at their highest level of quality. In 1966, during the recording of Revolver, John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Casinos. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduced 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casinos. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic instruments have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund, which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Includes hardshell case. 
Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar
The Epiphone Casino Electric Guitar is the guitar that put Epiphone on the map. Ever since The Beatles purchased three Casinos back in 1964, this hollow Epi model has taken on a life of its own. Equipped with two vintage P-90 single-coil pickups, the Casino still delivers those Beatlesque tones at a price every player can afford. Made with a select maple body and top with F-holes, trapeze bridge, mahogany neck (24-3/4" scale), neck and body binding, two volume and two tone controls, and parallelogram inlays. Limited lifetime warranty 
Epiphone Elitist Riviera-12 Electric Guitar
The Elite series are instruments that approach custom shop perfection. They're made with premium woods, fitted with American pickups and circuitry even American-made toggle switches and Grover tuners. They are made at a special factory exclusively devoted to their manufacture where they receive a high degree of hands-on luthier attention. Here Epiphone has beautifully produced one of the warmest, sweetest toned guitars of all time a jazz, blues, and country classic and this 12-string version adds richness to the Riviera tone 
Epiphone Sheraton II Electric Guitar Ebony
The semi-hollow design of the Epiphone Sheraton II Electric Guitar uses a solid center block and hollow "wings" to give it the fat, mellow tone of a jazz guitar and the sustain of a solidbody. Features an arched maple top, back, and rim; laminated maple neck; gold hardware; multiple bound body, neck, peghead, and F-holes; and vine inlay on peghead with mother-of-pearl and abalone fingerboard inlays. Includes two humbucker pickups and separate tone and volume controls. Limited lifetime warranty 
Epiphone Elitist Nick Valensi Signature Riviera
Nick Valensi, lead guitarist for the Strokes, used to call his customized '60s Epiphone Riviera "the greatest instrument never made," but he can't say that any more. The Epiphone Elitist Nick Valensi Riviera P-94 is part of the prestigious Elitist line of vintage-inspired Epiphones, and the classic semi-hollowbody model is fitted just like Valensi's, with genuine Gibson P-94 pickups. The patented P-94 is a unique combination that provides the best of both worlds the hot, thick, punchy sound of a Gibson P-90 in a humbucker-size housing. The P-94 uses the same enamel-coated vintage wire and Alnico-V magnets as the P-90 and comes in calibrated neck and bridge models for balanced output. The P-94 has higher output and sustaining qualities than traditional single-coil pickups, giving it plenty of bite when needed, with enough responsiveness to allow subtle nuances for enhanced dynamics.Just like a '60s Riviera, the Valensi signature model has 5-ply maple top, back, and sides; a one-piece set mahogany neck, 22 frets, a bone nut, tune-o-matic bridge, and trapeze tailpiece. |
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