European City / Epiphone Rivoli / mystery solved

[EvilLordJuju]

If he played it the way it is

I don't think he is responsible for the violin-isation, I think it was always Rivoli shape whilst he owned it. Would be interesting to know where it went after he owned it, and who did this to it.

Part of me wants to refin, but another part thinks it looses something once the original finish goes.

[EvilLordJuju]

Wow, what a cool, story!
It would be cool to put this in our Dutch bass-magazine De Bassist, don't you think Chris?

Yeah, especially with the Dutch connection - when i've spoken to him in more detail, and found exactly what he used it on, and maybe what happened beyond '68 - i'll give you all the info. Would be good to get some pics of those few Dutch gigs (not easy I guess).

From what i've read he was an upright player initially, and this Epiphone was his first electric bass - maybe some of that upright style of playing rubbed off?

[Stjofön Big]

Great story! Always nice to get some knowledge about the whereabouts of ones instruments. In my mind Tony Reeves is one of the originators from the beat boom, so all respect!

[Dave W]

Great story, Jules. If I were you, I'd put off any decision until you talk to him more and possibly find out who had it next or any more of its history.

Now, who was the lady in New York?

[Chris P.]

Rob mailed me and my De Bassist-colleague the story. Keep us posted!

[godofthunder]

 I would,leave it as is.

[Grog]

Great story! Investigative guitar collecting!

[chromium]

Man that is a great story!  I remember that bass.  Knowing this, I'd probably keep it as is (just fixing whatever is needed)

The only foreign object that I've ever found in a bass (my EB-2D) was a ball point pen  ...and lint.  

[Highlander]

Nice story, Jules...

I'll offer similar advice I offered Chris when he was thinking about parting with his Rickie (4005?)...

1) you are a collector - she is not an original instrument and has novelty value only, an interesting history, yes... but novelty value only... is she a true collectors item, as she stands now...?
2) how does the lady play, and does she offer you a useful sound...?
3) would you gig her (or would she just be a wallflower)...?

What was that Meatloaf number - 2 out of 3 ain't bad...?

If you keep her, leave her as she is, or maybe go all out and do something truly psychedelic...

[Aussie Mark]

Very cool!

[Pilgrim]

If he played it the way it is, I wouldn't put it behind glass and never touch it, but keep restoration to the minimum of what you need to make it fully playable for you. I think everyone here will agree on that.

It's a British Blues Invasion artefact.

My opinion perzackly.  It's a unique bass, keep it that way.

[eb2]

I'd love to restore it - but obviously this will never be a Rivoli again. So any real restoration is out of the question.

I disagree with the conclusion.  This "modification" is retarded, and I would restore it.  The important parts - neck, hardware and electronics are all there.  That is the hardest stuff to find in one piece on old Gibsons.  I would scout out an EB-2/Ravioli with a broken neck and use it as a donor. Yank the neck, reset the good neck on the good body, hook up the parts, boom.

[Freuds_Cat]

What would you do if it were a building?

[Stjofön Big]

Must be depending on what building it is. Buckinham Palace? No doubt one would restore and rebuild it. But if it was my 120 year old timber shack out in the wilderness? Well, no doubt one would build a new one instead. Why? Because there's plenty of them in the forests in the northern hemisphere, possible to get without having to high costs. So if my insurance company would build a new house for me, then I would go for it.
You can have a fresh Ravioli any old time. But an Epiphone Rivoli from the 60's?

[uwe]

I disagree with the conclusion.  This "modification" is retarded, and I would restore it.  The important parts - neck, hardware and electronics are all there.  That is the hardest stuff to find in one piece on old Gibsons.  I would scout out an EB-2/Ravioli with a broken neck and use it as a donor. Yank the neck, reset the good neck on the good body, hook up the parts, boom.

Where is the difference between that and parting it out?  It won't be the same bass then.