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Average Price: $350

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$500

$1201+

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Description

The Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 is a timeless blend of vintage allure and modern versatility. Perfect for players who crave a classic semi-hollow body tone, this guitar is equipped with three Alnico-V P90 pickups, offering a rich, warm sound that can range from smooth jazz to gritty rock. The addition of a B70 Bigsby Vibrato tailpiece not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides expressive vibrato effects, adding depth and dimension to your playing style.

The Riviera's construction features hard scalloped bracing and sound posts, ensuring robust resonance and sustain, while its gold hardware gives it an elegant touch. The comfortable neck and fingerboard design provide a smooth playing experience, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned musicians. Whether you're performing on stage or jamming in the studio, this guitar is sure to captivate with its blend of style and sound.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollow body design for versatile tonal range
  • Three Alnico-V P90 pickups for rich, warm sound
  • B70 Bigsby Vibrato tailpiece for expressive playing
  • Hard scalloped bracing and sound posts for enhanced resonance
  • Gold hardware for a classic, elegant look
  • Comfortable neck and fingerboard design

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Riviera Custom P93
Finish Metallic Gold, Wine Red
Year 2011 - 2019
Made In China
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Gold, Red
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
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 SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 feature?

The Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 is equipped with three Dogear P-90 pickups, providing a classic, warm, and punchy tone suitable for a variety of music genres.

Is the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the semi-hollowbody design and P-90 pickups of the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 make it well-suited for jazz, offering a rich, resonant sound with excellent tonal clarity.

How does the Bigsby tremolo on the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 affect playability?

The Bigsby tremolo allows for smooth pitch modulation and adds expressive capability, making it ideal for genres that benefit from subtle vibrato effects, such as rockabilly and blues.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93?

The guitar features a C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable playing experience that suits a wide range of hand sizes and playing styles.

Is the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 a good choice for beginner guitarists?

While it offers features that appeal to more experienced players, its comfortable neck profile and versatile tone make the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 accessible for beginners looking to explore semi-hollowbody guitars.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Epiphone Riviera Custom P-93 • SN: 12091502107

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Custom P-93  •  SN: 12091502107 by Wildwood Guitars

Epiphone Riviera Custom P-93 • SN: 12091502107

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 in Wine Red with Bigsby - Semi Hollow P-90 Pickup Goodness! by PMTVUK

Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 in Wine Red with Bigsby - Semi Hollow P-90 Pickup Goodness!

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 Semi Acoustic | Gear4music Demo by Gear4music Guitars

Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 Semi Acoustic | Gear4music Demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Clean sounds of Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 , Demo by Almasi Music Official (A.M.)

Clean sounds of Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 , Demo

Almasi Music Official (A.M.)

Almasi Music Official (A.M.)

Video thumbnail for Epiphone ETR3WRGB3 Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 Wine Red (Customer Return) by Rimmers Music

Epiphone ETR3WRGB3 Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 Wine Red (Customer Return)

Rimmers Music

Rimmers Music

Reviews

PROS

  • Gorgeous wine red finish with gold Bigsby and hardware

  • Excellent value compared to similar models like the Epiphone Casino

  • Versatile P90 pickups cover a wide tonal range

  • Well-constructed semi-hollow body for rich, distinctive sound

  • Comfortable neck and fretboard for smooth playability

  • Offers a variety of pickup combinations with "Frampton" wiring

  • Ideal for clean jazz tones and comfortable upper register access

  • Good modding platform for players who enjoy customizing

CONS

  • Stock pickups and electronics may be underwhelming for some

  • Tuning issues with Bigsby; may need a roller bridge upgrade

  • Lacks the expected P90 growl on overdrive

  • Middle pickup activation reduces hum, but hum returns when deactivated

  • Bigsby can be stiff; may require a spring modification for smoother use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 with Bigsby.

Setup and maintenance

  • Initial fret buzz and truss rod adjustment needed after delivery in winter conditions, suggesting sensitivity to climate changes.

    Source
  • Some owners report scratchy frets upon unboxing, which may require a setup or polish for smoother playability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar features three P90 pickups, which can be adjusted to tailor the sound, but the middle pickup can be turned off or replaced with a switch.

    Source
  • The Frequensator tailpiece is ideal for adding a Bigsby, enhancing the guitar's aesthetic and functional appeal for tremolo enthusiasts.

    Source
  • The '67 model of the Riviera featured a nitro finish, whereas current models utilize a thick poly finish, affecting aging and wear characteristics.

    Source

User experience

  • Weighing 8.8 lbs, the guitar can be cumbersome for standing play, requiring a balanced seating position for comfort.

    Source
  • Players occasionally hit the pickups during fingerstyle jazz, indicating possible interference during some playing styles.

    Source
  • Some users add a piezo pickup for additional tonal variety, enhancing the guitar's versatility across different music styles.

    Source
  • Owners who have tried both the Riviera and Casino appreciate the Riviera for its upper fret access, which the Casino lacks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Not ideal for heavy metal and rock without amp adjustments, but versatile for jazz, blues, and country.

    Source
  • The guitar's deep, warm sound is considered enjoyable even for metal genres, contrary to typical expectations for hollowbody guitars.

    Source

Build quality

  • The fretboard is notably smooth, although the high frets may require shaving for those uncomfortable with them.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Epiphone Riviera P93 is noted to be darker and muddier compared to Telecasters and other P90 guitars like the Epiphone Wildkat.

    Source
  • The mini humbuckers in the Riviera deliver a unique clean tone, distinguished from standard-sized humbuckers and reminiscent of a Gibson ES-335.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest replacing stock pickups for models like Filtertrons to achieve a brighter tone, with Guitar Fetish offering options compatible with humbucker slots.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Potential buyers consider $300 for a mint condition model a reasonable price despite tonal limitations, indicating good value for its aesthetics and build.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Epiphone Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

While the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 dazzles with its eye-catching aesthetic and unique wiring offering seven pickup combinations, it suffers from significant quality control issues. The review highlights the common problem of loose output jacks and concerns over potential shipping damage, raising red flags for prospective buyers. Although the P90 pickups deliver a warm, versatile tone ideal for blues and rockabilly, players may find the guitar requires immediate repairs to function reliably. A bargain for the price, but buyer beware—this beauty may come with hidden costs.

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Artist usage

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See how Enrico Laoagan uses Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 with Bigsby

Enrico Laoagan

Guitarist

...
Verified via SoundCloud

Enrico Laoagan uses the Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 in Wine Red with Bigsby during rehearsals, as featured on his SoundCloud.

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Epiphone Riviera Custom P93 with Bigsby, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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