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Average Price: $1,015

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$1201+

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Description

Step into the sonic world of Nick Valensi, guitarist for The Strokes, with the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94—a guitar designed to capture the essence of both vintage charm and modern versatility. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar pays homage to its heritage with a laminated maple body and top, delivering resonant tones that are both rich and articulate. Yet, what truly sets this model apart are the Gibson P-94 single-coil pickups, offering a high-output punch that provides a biting edge while maintaining the ability to articulate the subtle nuances of your playing.

The Riviera P94 is not just a guitar; it's a statement of style and substance. The mahogany neck, set into the body for enhanced sustain, boasts a rosewood fingerboard adorned with parallelogram inlays, providing a smooth and comfortable playing experience. Chrome hardware complements the classic aesthetic, while the trapeze tailpiece ensures stable tuning and classic looks. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, this guitar delivers professional performance without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

  • Pickups: Gibson P94T & P94R single-coil
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Nut Width: 1.68"
  • Neck: Set-in
  • Neck Material: Mahogany
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood with parallelogram inlays
  • Body Material: Laminated Maple
  • Top: Laminated Maple
  • Tailpiece: Trapeze

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Nick Valensi Signature Riviera P-94
Year 2007 - 2011
Made In China
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Artist Nick Valensi
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Tan
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Epiphone Riviera
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Epiphone Artist Collection
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 have?

The Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 is equipped with Gibson P-94R and P-94T single-coil pickups, providing a bright and articulate tone that suits a variety of music styles.

Is the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 suitable for beginners?

While it is designed with professional features, the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 is accessible for intermediate players who appreciate its semi-hollowbody tone and playability.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94?

The neck of the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 features a set mahogany construction, offering a comfortable and smooth playing experience with its 24.75" scale length.

How does the semi-hollowbody design of the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 affect its sound?

The semi-hollowbody design of the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 provides a resonant and warm tone, ideal for genres like rock, blues, and jazz, with enhanced sustain and feedback control.

What kind of music is the Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 best suited for?

The Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94 excels in rock, blues, and jazz, thanks to its semi-hollow construction and P-94 pickups, which deliver a versatile tone that can handle both clean and overdriven sounds.

Mark Flores

Mark Flores

Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi Signature

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi Signature by Mark Flores

Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi Signature

Mark Flores

Mark Flores

Video thumbnail for Gear Profile: 2007 Epiphone Nick Valensi Signature Riviera by John Budnik Band

Gear Profile: 2007 Epiphone Nick Valensi Signature Riviera

John Budnik Band

John Budnik Band

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera     [LASTGUITAR] by lastguitarcom

Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera [LASTGUITAR]

lastguitarcom

lastguitarcom

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi 🔥🔥 by L’atelier l’Hirondelle

Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi 🔥🔥

L’atelier l’Hirondelle

L’atelier l’Hirondelle

Reviews

PROS

  • Smaller neck provides improved comfort and playability

  • P94 pickups offer exceptional clarity and expressiveness

  • High-quality construction comparable to more expensive models

  • Gorgeous design enhances the aesthetic appeal

  • Delivers rich, thick sound with great tonal body

  • Limited availability adds to its desirability and investment value

  • Feels smooth and effortless to play, even for less experienced players

  • Offers remarkable sound quality, akin to higher-end models

CONS

  • Availability is limited, making them hard to find

  • Named as a "value" model, might not appeal to high-end purists

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P94.

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping original pickups for custom mini P90s is recommended to achieve Nick Valensi's distinct tone.

    Source
  • Owners suggest installing Kluson vintage locking tuners for easier restringing.

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  • P94 pickups, noted for their hotter output compared to P90s, can replace humbuckers in guitars like the Sheraton II to approximate Valensi's tone.

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Features and functionality

  • The 2020 Riviera model includes a frequensator tailpiece, different from older models with Bigsby and 3P90 designs.

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  • The P94 pickups are designed to fit into humbucker slots, making them a versatile option for those looking to modify their guitar's sound without extensive alterations.

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Use cases and applications

  • Combining the modified Riviera with a Fender "Deville" tube amp and a Jekyll & Hyde pedal replicates Nick Valensi's sound effectively.

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  • Owners recommend the Jekyll and Hyde v1 pedal for achieving Valensi's overdrive sound, while later versions may not meet the original's tonal expectations.

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  • Repairing damage can add a unique authenticity, as Nick Valensi's own guitar sustained extensive repairs and modifications.

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Comparisons

  • New models come in red and tan burst colors, though some owners desire the rare royal tan finish for authenticity.

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  • The Elitist version, crafted in Japan, offers superior quality with better electronics and wood, resembling Gibson standards more closely than standard Epiphones.

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Value and pricing

  • The Nick Valensi Epiphone Riviera can sell for $1,800-$2,000, with rare listings reaching $2,900, reflecting its scarcity and high demand.

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Build quality

  • The thick poly finish is prone to micro fractures, particularly on the back and bottom, when subjected to impact damage.

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User experience

  • A seller's inadequate packaging can lead to significant transit damage, impacting the guitar's structural integrity.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners have found it challenging to find luthiers confident in repairing significant body and neck damage on this model.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Nick Valensi Riviera P-94 Review: Becuse of this the Nick Valensi Riviera is the perfect match. | Epiphone | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Epiphone Nick Valensi Riviera P-94 hits all the right notes for fans of semi-hollow guitars and modern rock. Its rich, acoustic-leaning sound is perfect for those avoiding heavy distortion. While feedback can be an issue with high distortion settings, the guitar excels in live settings with its reliable build and stunning finish. The P-94 pickups deliver a unique tone, and the comfortable playability makes it a standout choice. Some may find the orange finish more vivid than expected, but the overall craftsmanship and features make it a worthy investment. A must-have for fans of The Strokes.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
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1 star
maxmarinaio

excellent

The only negative thing that I can say about this guitar is that I don't like the resonator bridge. Out of the box the string tension was crazy and made the guitar nearly unplayable (at least if you value touch) Maybe playable for the guy the guitar is named after... and that a guitar-guy in UK with a big YT channel call "a bloke" LOL So I bought a hi-quality bigsby and took the guitar to my luthier for a setup regarding strings action and truss rod... and the new bigsby bridge. Some real good players used this guitar but with different pickups (mini-humbuckers) Jorma Kaukonen used a bigsby model. And Otis Rush used it with various bridges I think, resonator included. The P94 are smart pickups because they sound like single coils but are silent like humbuckers and have the same dimension of humbuckers. So if you want to put humbuckers on this guitar you won't have any problems. It is a semi hollow body and I kinda prefer it on a hollow body. It is a very versatile guitar, you can get any sort of tone out of it: perfect for rockabilly, blues, jazz, country and more. I used it on my song "All The Pretty Girls" which is a rockabilly and for the solos in "Daydream" a more soul type of song. So if you wanna know how this guitar sounds on professional recordings well you can easily find them out there.

Genre Usage

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