Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Sorry no pics yet... but will post soon. Last night I traded some guitar amps I wasn't using in for a '97 Epi Riviera in turquoise w/Epi-Bigsby. It's a near twin to my '96 Casino with same finish and vibrato. Can't wait to snap some photos and post!!!

So let's talk Epi's, particularly the mid to late 90's ones. I get the feeling these are particularly good. Anyone got more info?

and pics (gotta love going home for lunch!)

Wow! Ep-O-Sound! Very nice, Jason.

Wow! Twins! I love my Sheraton II (from '01, I think). But it's Ebony, not BB. Still I agree it's a very good era for these models.

I have a '96 Casino that has the most comfortable neck on a guitar. There is some slight variation in the Casino necks between that one and my '06. Back in the late 90's, I remember going through the Epiphone catalog and loving almost every page of it because it was celebrating its great models with a remarkable selection that wasn't all about cheaper Gibsons or black-out goth guitars. I really wish they would get back to selling some of those great instruments again instead of so much of the stuff that they have now.

The two Epiphones that I still really want from that phase of production are a Rivoli and a Riviera 12.

Ah yes, I ruined many a Musician's Friend catalog by drooling over those Riv12's. I remember seeing pics of Carl Wilson using one a lot, i think.

Those are awesome!

Sweet! What a pair. I'm a bit of a Epiphone nubie, but it's interesting seeing all the differences, as subtle as they are... pickups, bridge placement, slight difference in horn size, truss rod cover color, knobs PG size & shape...

I had an early mid 90s Epiphone Les Paul Custom back then that was an outstanding guitar. I threw some Seymour Duncan pickups, replaced the electronics, and put a bone nut on it, and wow-really smoked!

Epic pair! Love the turquoise twins.

I'm pining away for an Epi Swingster right now.

Additional info I found relating to these two:

made in Korea at the Aria factory (the serial number begins with an "R" as opposed to the Samik-made "S").

How do the "new" Lennon models stack up to the Ltd. Ed. ones?

jdogric12 wrote:and pics (gotta love going home for lunch!)

Would you like to make it triplets? My local store just got the matching blue Wildcat in stock! I think it is $389 with case.

Aargh!!!!!! Man... tempting... very little funds though. I traded straight up (several small amps) for the Riviera. Pm about to be sent...

jdogric12 wrote:Aargh!!!!!! Man... tempting... very little funds though. I traded straight up (several small amps) for the Riviera. Pm about to be sent...

I sent a reply. I would have bought it myself if I hadn't spent all my money on the Epi Olympic yesterday.