Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

[majewsky]

Hello!

Is anyone familiar with this model? It was a limited edition and it looks like it was made in "Epiphone Custom Shop" (whatever it means).
I've found one in a local music store and it gave me so big GAS. It's sooo BEAUTIFUL.

I was thinkig of scoring this one for my birthday is it worth it?

EDIT PIC

 

[blueman335]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

Yes, nice guitar, well made. The stock PU's sound good. The one thing I'd recommend doing is putting in a bridge with roller saddles, so the strings don't get hung up when you use the Bigsby.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

That's pretty cool looking.

I agree with blueman, the roller saddles will help prevent everything from snagging/going out of tune each time you use the vibrato bar. Do the p90s sound any good?

 

[majewsky]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

They were ok, but nothing special. I would probably change them over time. (Just like the whole electronics. Probably switching system like in a Troy Van Leeuwens' Yamaha I dunno)

Roller bridge sounds like good idea. I was thinking of putting graph tech saddles, but I realised that they would probably be cut in half after using bigsby.

I want to collect as many reviews and suggestions before buying so I won't waste money on crap

Generaly it has some flaws in finish so maybe I would get a little discount. We will see

 

[synzzzer]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

When I first saw one, my thought was, "I have to have it!!" But when I actually played one it felt kind of rubbery to me. As if it didn't have good wood on it. And the tremolo system just irked me. So I don't mean to dump on your thread, I just want to advise you on trying before buying. I was really hoping for a higher quality guitar. Don't get me wrong, I really like Epiphones, but it just didn't do it for me. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[CAMartin]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

I actually traded into a used one very recently. It was largely better than I'd anticipated (I used to sell Epiphones years back, and their quality control back then soured me for years). Mine is a Limited with sparkly silver binding, which I both find obnoxious and amusing.

I ordered a roller bridge for it earlier today, and am contemplating a full electronics upgrade. The stock pickups/switch/pots all are functional, but the tones are kind of...forgettable. Not bad, very usable, but not really special.

In any case, I do enjoy the guitar and if you like the deal you're getting, I'd say go for it.

 

[AxlOz]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

Definitely plan on upgrading the pots, wiring, switch, etc (electronics). Epiphones are all full of those tone-sucking cheap pots, which don't bode well with a hollow body IMO.
Also plan on the work involved in changing the electronics being an absolute PITA - working through the F holes gets really tedious..

I have a casino that I changed the elecs and pups in - much better now!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

Changing the pickups will make a much bigger difference than the rest of the electronics if you're talking about tone. Switching the pots and switch for s higher quality unit won't affect the tone, but it will make your guitar more reliable and plus better parts usually have a better feel to them.

If you haven't bought it by now, it's probably not being made anymore given it was limited edition 4 years ago. Did you buy it, if not what did you buy instead?

 

[majewsky]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

Well thanks for update, 4 years too late, but anyway...

I didn't buy it. Actually... I haven't bought anything since then. It was at the time I've started university and didn't have much time to play. I've also decided to cut on my gear. I've sold all my pedals, my amps and currently my whole gear is listed in my signature.

I've never looked back. The Helix Native capabilities are HUGE and I mean it. The only thing on my GAS list is: Keith McMillen Softstep 2, Maestro Vibrola for Gibby and some good headphones. I was thinking about Yamaha HPH-MT8.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

Yes, I remember those very well! They look great. If it's cheap and in good shape, get it. If it's more than $350, or it's hammered, pass without thinking twice.

It looks killer, but will need several hundreds of dollars worth of upgrades to be a high quality instrument. The hardware is pretty bad, as are the pickups, and probably the pots and jack too. The nut could really benefit from an upgrade, and it probably would love some good fret work too. Upgrading electronics on an archtop isn't as seamless as on a solid body, so prepare yourself for that. Also, be aware that the switching on three pickup Gibsons sucks. The middle one is really just a gimmick, as you can't play it by itself. With stock wiring, you only get three of the seven possible pickup combos.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Anyone familiar with Epiphone Riviera P93?

4 years later, I guess he had plenty of time to think about it