Demo: Epiphone Exclusive Riviera 12-String

After Gibson purchased Epiphone in 1957, nearly every Gibson guitar had an Epiphone equivalent. Until Epiphone became an import brand in the 1970s, all Epiphone guitars were made by the same Gibson employees at the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Riviera was the Epiphone counterpart to the Gibson ES-335, but while the ES-335s were equipped with the standard Gibson humbuckers, the Epiphone Rivieras all had mini-humbuckers. Mini-humbuckers have a little less low end and more mid range and a little more crisp high end. Most of the original Rivieras that left the factory were 6-string models, there were some 12-strings as well.

This exclusive 12-string Riviera pays tribute to those rare and sought after guitars that were made in the 1960s. Drench the signal with reverb, and you’ll be transported to the sound of Laurel Canyon.