If you’re thinking about getting the Epiphone Riviera and you’re not sure if it’s worth it or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique semi-hollow body model. It’s a popular choice among a lot of guitarists, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Epiphone Riviera offers a great value for the money. This model has everything that you potentially need from a semi-hollow body guitar – a great sound, a stunning look and an affordable price.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Riviera model so good and so popular. Firstly, we’ll start with the detailed specifications and the main advantages of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate if it has any flaws. Hopefully, this guide will help you figure out if this model is a good fit for you.
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone Riviera is a high quality double-cut semi-hollow body guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This particular model exceeds all the expectations and it guarantees an enjoyable and comfortable playing experience.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a maple body and a mahogany neck with the rounded C profile. On top of that, there’s also the Indian Laurel fretboard which feels really smooth as well. And most importantly, there’s also Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge with Frequensator Tailpiece.
The manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of two really good humbuckers –
Epiphone PRO Mini. Both of these pickups are versatile, so they can be used in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into jazz, blues or rock – you’re going to love it.
When it comes to pricing, Epiphone Riviera is not exactly cheap, but at the same time it’s not overly expensive. Surely, saving up to eventually get that model won’t be a huge problem and in fact, it will be really rewarding.
Here’s the sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone Riviera is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate guitar players. It doesn’t really matter how advanced you are – you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that instrument.
Since it’s a really versatile guitar, it can be used in a lot of different genres. Most of the time, it’s used in rock, blues and jazz, but it will also work well in alternative rock, indie or country as well. The versatility of that axe is amazing!
It is also worth mentioning that Epiphone Riviera is fairly affordable, so it’s within reach of a lot of guitar players. Although it’s not the cheapest semi-hollow body guitar out there, it’s definitely much cheaper than similar guitars made by Gibson. That being said, it’s a great choice for those who don’t want to overpay!
Overall, the Riviera has everything that you need from a high quality semi-hollow body guitar. It looks, sounds and feels absolutely fantastic. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages of Epiphone Riviera
It is pretty clear that it’s difficult to find any major flaws of Epiphone Riviera. This is a really well made model, so it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws if you decide to get it.
Some models may require minor fixes (such as adjusting the string action), but it’s all really subjective and it all comes down to your preferences. Surely, considering how affordable the Riviera is, it’s an absolutely fantastic choice!
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Epiphone Riviera or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of great alternative options out there. Of course, it all depends on what you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro. This is a really similar semi-hollow body model, but there’s a few things that differentiate these guitars. Overall, it’s an another proof that a high quality guitar of this type doesn’t have to be overly expensive.
Alternatively, you can also check out the Gretsch G2655 Streamliner. For those who are not aware, Gretsch is one of the most famous hollow body guitar manufacturers in the world. Their quality is always on point, so I’m sure that if you decide to choose that model, you won’t be disappointed.
If you’re on a really tight budget, perhaps you should also check out the Ibanez AS53. This is one of the cheapest semi-hollow body guitars that are available on the market and in fact, it offers a surprisingly good quality. I personally own that guitar and I can confirm that it offers a great value for the money!
FAQ
Where is Epiphone Riviera made?
Epiphone Riviera is currently made in China.
Who used Epiphone Riviera?
Epiphone Riviera was used by a lot of great guitar players throughout the years. That includes: Lou Reed, Nick Valensi, Carl Wilson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Noel Gallagher and many more!
Where can I find out more about Epiphone Guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturers of guitars, check out the official website of Epiphone.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone Riviera is a really cool semi-hollow body guitar that offers a great value for the money. I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will appreciate the high quality of that model.
What do you think of that semi-hollow body guitar? Would you add it to your own collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think about it, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
