1996 Epiphone Riviera LH Made In Japan (SOLD)

Here's an interesting piece - an Epiphone Rivieral LH, Made In Japan with wine red finish, likely at the Terada plant during 1996. This is a very high quality instrument, well made and in good condition.

It's often difficult to accurately date these guitars, but we know that Epiphone production was done in the Matsumoku plant during the 1970s along with other brands like Aria. By the early 1980s, Gibson shifted Epiphone production to Korea in response to rising production costs. However, between 1987 and 1997, some models were made at the Terada plant for Yamano Gakki, Gibson's Japanese distributor.

This guitar is in good physical and playing condition, but it isn't entirely original. The tuners have been upgraded to Gotoh 510 locking units and the bridge and tailpiece are TonePros models with some corrosion. Fretwear is light and the guitar plays cleanly.

These guitars were very popular, though not generally sold in North America. Many of them appeared in Japan and Europe - one was apparently heard on Oasis records and seen during their shows.

Overall, this is a good playing, well made guitar with a very nice feel. A hardshell case is included.