Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (16)
$699.00
Guitar Center
4.5 (24)
$699.00
Amazon
5.0 (5)
$699.00
Reverb
5.0 (10)
$596.09 New
$480.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (3)
$699.00
zZounds
5.0 (4)
$699.00
Thomann
4.6 (15)
$579.00 $575.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£544.00

Average Price: $643

Standard/Professional

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Epiphone Riviera". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Meet the Epiphone Riviera, a timeless icon reimagined for today's musicians, blending vintage charm with modern versatility. With its elegantly crafted semi-hollow body, the Riviera has been a go-to for guitar legends and continues to captivate a new generation of players. The PRO mini humbuckers deliver a crisp, resonant tone that captures the essence of both classic and contemporary sounds, making it perfect for genres ranging from jazz to rock.

The Riviera's body, made from layered maple, ensures bright, articulate tones while the solid center block provides impressive sustain and feedback resistance. The mahogany neck, shaped into a comfortable Rounded C profile, paired with an Indian laurel fingerboard, ensures smooth playability and effortless navigation across its 22 frets. This guitar also features a Graph Tech NuBone nut, enhancing resonance and sustain, alongside vintage-style hardware for added tuning stability.

The aesthetic appeal of the Riviera is undeniable, with a Royal Tan gloss finish and a distinctive pickguard adorned with a foil "E" logo. The LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and Frequensator tailpiece not only contribute to its classic look but also ensure robust performance. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Epiphone Riviera stands as a versatile and expressive tool, ready to amplify your creative expression.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design with a layered maple top, back, and sides
  • Dual Epiphone PRO mini humbuckers for bright, focused tone
  • Rounded C-shaped mahogany neck with Indian laurel fingerboard
  • LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and Frequensator tailpiece
  • Graph Tech NuBone nut and Epiphone Vintage Deluxe tuners
  • Royal Tan finish with 3-layer pickguard featuring metal “E” logo

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Semi-hollowbody
Body Shape Riviera Doublecut
Body Material Maple
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape Rounded C
Neck Joint Set Neck
Radius 12"
Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Parallelograms
Number of Frets 22, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length 24.724"
Nut Width 1.693"
Nut Material Graph Tech NuBone
Bridge/Tailpiece Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Frequensator Tailpiece
Tuners Epiphone Vintage Deluxe
Neck Pickup Epiphone PRO Mini Humbucker
Bridge Pickup Epiphone PRO Mini Humbucker
Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone
Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Epiphone Riviera have?

The Epiphone Riviera is equipped with Epiphone PRO Mini Humbuckers, which provide a sharper and more articulate sound compared to traditional humbuckers, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Is the Epiphone Riviera suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Epiphone Riviera is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable rounded C neck profile and versatile sound, although it's also appreciated by experienced players for its classic tone and semi-hollowbody design.

What is the neck profile of the Epiphone Riviera like?

The Epiphone Riviera features a rounded C neck profile, which offers a comfortable and smooth playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.

How does the Frequensator tailpiece affect the sound of the Epiphone Riviera?

The Frequensator tailpiece on the Epiphone Riviera provides a unique string tension, offering a tighter response on the bass strings and a slinkier feel on the treble strings, enhancing playability and tonal variation.

Is the Epiphone Riviera a full hollowbody guitar?

No, the Epiphone Riviera is a semi-hollowbody guitar, which combines the resonance of a hollowbody with the feedback resistance of a solid body, making it versatile for various genres.

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

The Epiphone Riviera's semi-hollowbody design and PRO Mini Humbuckers make it well-suited for genres like rock, blues, jazz, and indie, providing a versatile sound palette for different playing styles.

GUITARGUITAR

GUITARGUITAR

The NEW Epiphone Riviera | Our Honest Review

Video thumbnail for The NEW Epiphone Riviera | Our Honest Review by GUITARGUITAR

The NEW Epiphone Riviera | Our Honest Review

GUITARGUITAR

GUITARGUITAR

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera E360TD - Guitar Review by The Guitaristas

Epiphone Riviera E360TD - Guitar Review

The Guitaristas

The Guitaristas

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Riviera Royal Tan. My honest review! by Paul Stafford Cook

Epiphone Riviera Royal Tan. My honest review!

Paul Stafford Cook

Paul Stafford Cook

Video thumbnail for Epiphone Original Riviera - Vintage Semi-Hollow Feel, Features, Specs & Tone At A Crazy Price! by PMTVUK

Epiphone Original Riviera - Vintage Semi-Hollow Feel, Features, Specs & Tone At A Crazy Price!

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for SOUNDCHECK Epiphone Riviera | Gear4music Guitars by Gear4music Guitars

SOUNDCHECK Epiphone Riviera | Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • The Epiphone Riviera features a frequensator tailpiece, providing a tighter bass response and a slinkier feel on higher strings compared to a standard 335.

    Source
  • The Riviera's mini humbuckers offer a brighter tone with more clarity, similar to single coils, but without the noise, making it suitable for those who like Strat sounds.

    Source
  • Some Riviera models deviate from tradition with Bigsby tremolo systems and three P90 pickups, creating a unique offering distinct from classic Riviera designs.

    Source
  • The Noel Gallagher Riviera model uniquely includes the specific pickups and bridge configuration, unlike the standard Riviera.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Despite similar body and neck materials, the Riviera and ES-335 differ in aesthetics, with the Riviera featuring trapezoid inlays and the 335 having dot inlays.

    Source
  • The used Gibson 350 is generally regarded as superior in feel and setup compared to a new Epiphone Riviera.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Floor models at Guitar Center often lack setup, impacting playability; a fresh setup with new strings and an oiled fingerboard is crucial for optimal performance.

    Source
  • Some owners recommend using music nomad F one oil to darken the fretboard, enhancing its appearance.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Riviera with proper setup is seen as a strong performer, with some recommending it alongside the Epiphone Sheraton or the "inspired by Gibson" ES355 for Oasis-style play.

    Source
  • Ideal for playing Oasis songs as it suits Noel Gallagher's style, focusing on open chords and barre chords.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners who have tried both new and used guitars often prefer used models for better initial setup and less risk of defects.

    Source
  • Owners express significant sentimental value and connection to the Noel Gallagher Riviera, often linked to personal musical influences.

    Source

Build quality

  • It's been noted that floor models can suffer from poor setup due to rough handling in retail environments, affecting their initial impression.

    Source
  • The wine red finish on the Noel Gallagher edition is particularly praised for its aesthetic appeal.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Epiphone Riviera Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar Review

gear-vault.com

The Epiphone Riviera impresses as a budget-friendly alternative to its Gibson sibling, offering a vintage aesthetic with its amber-tint finish and mini-humbuckers that deliver a clean, woody tone with a sharp attack. The Frequensator tailpiece enhances string brightness, particularly benefiting the bass strings. While the bridge pickup excels, providing an aggressive lead tone under overdrive, the neck pickup falls short, likely needing wax potting or replacement due to squealing. Overall, the Riviera is a compelling choice for those seeking an economical semi-hollow body guitar, though potential buyers might consider upgrading the pickups for optimal performance.

positive
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
fisher_khongmaly

Great!

I got it new at a guitar Center. Fresh out the box, intonation was great, no fret buzz, and great sounding pickups.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

CRANKED ALL THE WAY

blondguru

(Whistling Noises)

This thing is sexy. Scored it for $200 with the case and a bunch of add-ons. I love the mini-buckers. The thing feeds back like a monster but it's well worth it. Very bluesy neck tone and a very crunchy bridge tone.

M

Epiphone Casino?

I'm pretty sure that the guitar pictured is an Epiphone Casino. The Riviera looks more like this https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=epiphone+riviera&view=detailv2&&id=B078AF73C4A089EECDE94D37532DCB1752911A32&selectedIndex=4&ccid=V0br%2bvTF&simid=608036537115739157&thid=OIP.M5746ebfaf4c5573e7a6067f1b7432352o0&ajaxhist=0

P

The pic is not a Riviera, it is a casino

skylinerr

Main

mid to late 80s wine red riviera with humbuckers and a stop tail

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Otis Rush uses Epiphone Riviera

Otis Rush

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo on Livejournal, Otis Rush is pictured holding an Epiphone Riviera, identifiable by its distinctive tailpiece.

See how Courtney Taylor-Taylor uses Epiphone Riviera

Courtney Taylor-Taylor

Guitarist

The Dandy Warhols

...
Verified via Photo

Courtney can be seen playing an Epiphone Riviera in this picture from a Dandy Warhols concert.

See how Liam Fray uses Epiphone Riviera

Liam Fray

Singer, Guitarist

The Courteeners

...
Verified via Photo

Used on "St Jude" and all live performances from 2006-2010. Used for "Acrylic" and "Fallowfield Hillbilly" on current live performances.

See how Jason Wade uses Epiphone Riviera

Jason Wade

Singer, Guitarist

Lifehouse

...
Verified via YouTube

In this music video for "Blind," at 4:01, Jason Wade can be seen playing an Epiphone Riviera guitar.

See how Dave Gregory uses Epiphone Riviera

Dave Gregory

Guitarist

XTC

...
Verified via Chalkhills

Now if you want to talk guitar, ask Dave Gregory. He was crushed that he couldn't take his entire guitar harem (over 20) with him for Oranges and Lemons, but he made do with his faves: a 1953 Gibson Les Paul gold-top; a Schecter Telecaster-style ("quite versatile"); a 1963 Stratocaster; a semi-hollow 1964 Epiphone Riviera with miniature humbuckers, heard on the "Pink Thing" solo ("It has a nice Beatley sound"); and one of the first 25 Rickenbacker 12-strings shipped to England in the wake of A Hard Day's Night. Gregory uses Ernie Ball strings "out of force of habit," but creates his own gauge set: .011-.013-.016-.024-.038-.050. He has a Roland JC-120 amp "for those rare occasions that I go out of the house," and a Japanese Fender Sidekick 30 amp for home practice. Effects include a MIDIverb and D1500. For keyboard dabbling he keeps a Roland JX3P with MSQ-100 sequencer, and "an old acoustic piano."

See how Scott Thurston uses Epiphone Riviera

Scott Thurston

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via Photo

He played Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar at the tribute concert of George Harrison.

See how Magic Sam uses Epiphone Riviera

Magic Sam

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In a studio photo, Magic Sam is seen holding an Epiphone Riviera, identifiable by the distinctive bridge partially visible in the image.

See how Franz Stahl uses Epiphone Riviera

Franz Stahl

Guitarist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via YouTube

Can be seen starting at 0:23. Glistening light blue Epiphone Riviera.

See how Skyler Skjelset uses Epiphone Riviera

Skyler Skjelset

Guitarist

Fleet Foxes

...
Verified via Photo

Skyler Skjelset is pictured here playing an Epiphone Riviera.

See how Matthew Pryor uses Epiphone Riviera

Matthew Pryor

Singer, Guitarist

The Get Up Kids

...
Verified via YouTube

Matt is playing an Epiphone Riviera through the full concert.

See how Duke Robillard uses Epiphone Riviera

Duke Robillard

Guitarist, Music Producer

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

Epiphone Riveria [sic] Another recent reissue (Robillard is an Epiphone endorser), Duke says this guitar, “…has Seth Lover pickups and is one of my main stage axes.”

See how Larry Parypa uses Epiphone Riviera

Larry Parypa

Guitarist

The Sonics

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"A Fender Jazzmaster through a Magnatone amp. After that, it was an Epiphone Rivera, which I like because it doesn’t have a clubby neck."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

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

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