The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 05:00:48 AM

Title: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 05:00:48 AM
Here she is:





= I only played her amplified through my little warm and modern Vox T-25. 25W and 1x10. She sounds very warm on it! Especially with the switch on the bassiest sound. Warm, full. I know my T25 sounds a bit like my Orange rig, but on a lower volume, so I think I kinda like her!

- The headstock break is very bad repaired on the front (you almost don't see it at the back), but i think I know someone who can do something about it.

- It has a single coil. You can hear some hum, when it's turned to the amp, but it isn't very noisy. No real problem. I have to get the chrome cover off, but I guess it's a 50s P single pick up or something. It still has a switch for two sounds, the one being more bassy and having more volume than the other.

- The wood's very nice, especially the back side.

- The colour is much more amber than my girlfriends Sheraton.

- Action and so are good.

- Do all Korean Epiphones have the jack input side mounted?

- Is the 2-way toggle normal? Shouldn;t that be a little push switch?

Some pics:

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5243.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5242.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5241.jpg)

The single coil:

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5240.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5239.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5238.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5237.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5236.jpg)

Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Basvarken on April 12, 2008, 05:25:42 AM
Beautiful, Chris!
Really love the colour.
Congrats.

Are you going to put an Artec in?
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 05:29:02 AM
Thanks, Rob!

I was in Arnhem with it, but I had no time to drop by.

I like to try her with this pick up first. It's installed by a guitar tech from Friesland. maybe it's good. if not I'll decide later what to do. I have an 'original' Chinese Epi EB0 humbucker. maybe I'll install that. or I wait till I hear the experiences from a friend who's installing an Artec in his Rivoli.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Basvarken on April 12, 2008, 05:38:26 AM
Quote from: Chris P on April 12, 2008, 05:29:02 AM

I was in Arnhem with it, but I had no time to drop by.

Dang!!
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 06:16:30 AM
If Loes and I play matching Epiphones I guess we need matching track suits now?";)

@ Rob: I think we have a couple of reasons now to visit eachother agaion, maybe with Bart! (and Herr Hornung?)

Look what's under the chrome cover:

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5249.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5247.jpg)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/chrispdekker/IMG_5245.jpg)

Maybe I have to add a split P in the middle?  ;D
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Barklessdog on April 12, 2008, 07:07:25 AM
At least they did not hack up the body.

Nice bass
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: rockinrayduke on April 12, 2008, 07:57:44 AM
The 2 Rivolis I owned both had the push button...never seen one with a toggle. So what are you going to replace that Jazz pickup with?
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 08:10:30 AM
Quote from: rockinrayduke on April 12, 2008, 07:57:44 AM
So what are you going to replace that Jazz pickup with?

I answered this above:
I like to try her with this pick up first. It's installed by a guitar tech from Friesland. maybe it's good. if not I'll decide later what to do. I have an 'original' Chinese Epi EB0 humbucker. Maybe I'll install that. or I wait till I hear the experiences from a friend who's installing an Artec in his Rivoli.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 12, 2008, 08:13:46 AM
And I guess two jazz pick ups will fit under the chrome cover too? ;D
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: drbassman on April 12, 2008, 08:17:04 AM
Hey, that's a pretty create pup job on the Riv.  I'll be trying something similar with my NOS Melody Maker covers except I think I'm gonna try a an SD vintage style Jag pup.  They should fit right in and have a good response for bass use.  I wouldn't change the pup in your unless you really don't like the sound.

i had a 99 Riv and put a vintage 70's EB-2 pup in it and it did improve the sound.  I sold the bass to buy a 68 EB-2, but it was nice for what it was.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: rockinrayduke on April 12, 2008, 02:28:44 PM
QuoteI answered this above:

That's what I get for posting before first coffee.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 13, 2008, 03:28:05 AM
No problem; I'm a coffee addict too, so I know what your talking about! :)

Tonight I'll try her out at a rehearsal.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: drbassman on April 13, 2008, 06:40:20 AM
You inspired me, I'm taking my EB-2 to practice today!
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: rockinrayduke on April 13, 2008, 12:32:47 PM
Wish I had another Rivoli now but this did inspire me to take my Casady to the gig last night. A few years ago you could find Rivs fairly cheap on ebay, not any more.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 13, 2008, 01:59:35 PM
Nice, guys! The Rivolis are getting more expensive by the day here in The Netherlands too!
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: uwe on April 14, 2008, 03:59:21 AM
That is most likely a very good pup and that far up front, any pup will deliver enough bass. I'd keep it, but slant it inside that cavity - there is enough room - to get better pole piece alignment with the strings.

Congrats, looks great. With matching instruments, I notice that Loes and you are now moving into the June Carter/Johnny Cash mould. The family that plays together lives together. Any kids scheduled?

Uwe
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Dave W on April 14, 2008, 09:39:20 AM
Quote from: uwe on April 14, 2008, 03:59:21 AM
Congrats, looks great. With matching instruments, I notice that Loes and you are now moving into the June Carter/Johnny Cash mould. The family that plays together lives together. Any kids scheduled?

I wonder if Johnny bought new guitars without telling June?  ;)
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Bart! on April 14, 2008, 09:54:38 AM
Quote from: Chris P on April 12, 2008, 06:16:30 AM
If Loes and I play matching Epiphones I guess we need matching track suits now?";)

@ Rob: I think we have a couple of reasons now to visit eachother agaion, maybe with Bart! (and Herr Hornung?)

Nice new bass Chris, you`re gathering basses at an amazing speed. It`s hard to keep up with that, but a dutch outpost meeting will be nice.
And yes, you and Loes need matching track suits now. Then your drummer needs a matching kit and track suit and you`ll be able to double up as the Boilersuit-combo, playing jazz versions of your own songs. Brittjazz anyone?
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 14, 2008, 11:13:25 AM
Good ideas Bart!  ;D

BTW: I also sold some basses last year, like my paisley and white P, my Jack Casady (want one back once), ...

Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Basvarken on April 15, 2008, 01:49:30 AM
yeah a first official dutch outpost meeting is an excellent idea.
I want to compare the Orange AD200 Mk1 with the MkIII
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 15, 2008, 02:33:22 AM
I'm in. Where? When? Who?

Arnheim or Amsterdam this time?
Bart, Basvarken, Blazer maybe? Me.
When: Somewhere between now and two months on a sunday?

Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: drbassman on April 15, 2008, 08:26:25 AM
The EB-2 was a big hit at practice on Sunday.  I forgot on thumpy and throaty it sounded!  Thanks for the reminder.

I'm envious you guys can get together!  Sounds like fun.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: farmie on April 27, 2008, 02:49:39 PM
I have an artec pickup EBC4 since a few days in my 90's epi rivoli. What a change!
I NEVER had a bass that can go this deep !!!
The switch is a nice feature with this pickup.
The only thing that surprised me is that the pole piece alignment was not so accurate.
Strange: I thought the Artec EBC4-CR was made for this bass?
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Dave W on April 27, 2008, 06:07:02 PM
It is intended as a drop-in Gibson/Epi replacement. How far off is the alignment?

I believe the three-point bridge has very slightly wider string spacing. I've never measured to see if 1972 and later mudbuckers have wider pole spacing to accommodate the three-point bridge, or if it makes a difference.

But if it sounds good and you don't have any dropoff from the misalignment, there shouldn't be any problem.
Title: Re: Epiphone Rivoli
Post by: Chris P. on April 28, 2008, 12:29:36 AM
Welcome Bart!

And rule #1: a bass doesn't excist if you don;t post pics;)