90's Epi Rivoli bass (on the bay)

[daan]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPIPHONE-RIVOLI-BASS-WITH-HARD-CASE-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-90S-MADE-IN-KOREA-/111702232388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a01f8cd44

OK so I've pretty much always wanted an EB-2 or Rivoli semi-hollow bass. I briefly had a "Conqueror" branded fake one, that was likely made of cardboard and basically fell apart just after I got it. (So why am I still looking at import copy basses on Ebay?  )
Anyway I didn't know they even made these recently, I thought all the Epi basses went away after they moved production overseas (other than the Cassidy ones, which for some reason I just don't like- I'm sure they're fine, I just can't get over the mismatched cutaways for some reason.) I've seen tons of guitars-Casinos, Dots, etc, but never a Rivoli. And, I might actually be able to afford this one, assuming somebody buys the crap I have up on Ebay before this auction ends)
Has anyone on here handled one of these things? I've played a "real" one (60's Michigan made at a vintage store) and I had my ripoff one, but never one of these. I'd love to get it, but don't wanna get burned like on the last one. As far as playing it, all the semis I've handled just seem like exactly what I like, and it's not like I'm on stage ever so as long as it sounds like a bass, I can live with it. I just don't wanna spend my next 2 years of "guitar money" on something I'll end up throwing in the trash like the last one.

THank you!

[Dave W]

I just sent a PM to an inactive member who I think owned one. Maybe he'll pop in. Also, Ronn (leftybass) may have one.

[rockinrayduke]

I had 2 of the late 90 reissues and sold them both. Though they were both solidly built I didn't care for the pickups in either one, no usable tones for my gigs. Very weak output on the E string. I suppose someone makes a better pickup that would solve that problem but I didn't want to invest the time or money.

[Dave W]

Thanks, Ray. Glad my memory wasn't faulty.

[Aussie Mark]

I owned a single pickup '97 Korean Epi Rivoli that someone had modded with a Dimarzio Model 1 pickup.  It was ok quality, but nothing special.  My Duesenberg Starplayer smokes it in all aspects.

[Chris P.]

I have one and I like it, but it is modded. Good quality basses.

[godofthunder]

  I was tempted by one of these when they came out, very nice bass for the money. In some ways I like it better than the vintage Gibsons/Epiphones. I think putting a 60's mudbucker in one would make it shine.

[daan]

Thank you for all your responses, guys!

[chromium]

I briefly had a "Conqueror" branded fake one, that was likely made of cardboard and basically fell apart just after I got it. (So why am I still looking at import copy basses on Ebay?  )

Some of the Matsumoku copies made more towards the mid-70s might still be worth a look (Univox, Lyle, etc).

I haven't personally handled one, but the guy in this clip is using a Ventura EB-2 copy that caught my eye/ear.  Certainly looks a lot like an EB-2 (compared to other copies from that era... although I'd assume it's a bolt-on build).  He seems to be chugging away nicely on it:

[Chris P.]

One in Holland:

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/muziek-en-instrumenten/snaarinstrumenten-gitaren-bas/m938597167-epiphone-rivola-bas.html?c=efb2ef4dc323389c4f92ed10afa33e3a&previousPage=lr

[Sven]

I had one for a couple of years. Didn't play it much because the neck was way too thin for me. The sound was nice though,  and once the Nail That Tone™ mod was done you could actually hear the E string.

Here it is:





I sold it to a fellow player. He had it converted to a lefty and added a bridge pu. And somehow the color changed a bit:



Yes, this really is the same bass!

[Dave W]

..... the Nail That Tone™ mod....

I forgot about that! Was it you or Rob who came up with that idea?

[slinkp]

What is the "nail that tone" mod?

[Pilgrim]

What is the "nail that tone" mod?

Yeah, please explain to us, those uninculcated in the inner mysteries....

[Dave W]

It involves extending the magnetic field by using bent nails or Allen keys.

This is Peter Boer's photo. He may have been the one who came up with the idea,