An Epiphone original returns with the distinctive style and vibrant semi-hollow voice that have defined the Riviera since 1961, pairing classic ES-style construction with PRO Mini Humbuckers, a Frequensator tailpiece and a rosewood fingerboard that reconnects the model with its roots. At its core, a 5-ply maple/poplar body and solid maple center block balance open resonance with focused sustain and improved feedback resistance, complemented by a set mahogany neck with a comfortable Rounded C profile. The rosewood fingerboard features a 12" radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets and classic pearloid parallelogram inlays, bringing familiar Riviera character to the playing surface. A pair of PRO Mini Humbuckers completes the formula with a brighter, more cutting voice than full-size humbuckers, backed by premium CTS potentiometers for smooth tonal control. Finished with a signature Frequensator tailpiece, vintage-inspired Epiphone appointments and an included premium gig bag, the Riviera brings more than six decades of distinctive style and sound into a refreshed semi-hollow design.

5-Ply Maple/Poplar Body Shapes the Riviera's Semi-Hollow Voice

The Riviera's 5-ply maple/poplar body combines classic semi-hollow resonance with the added focus of a solid maple center block. The center block enhances sustain while helping control unwanted feedback at amplified volumes, giving the guitar a stable foundation for everything from clean passages to driven tones. Single-ply binding outlines the top and back, emphasizing the elegant lines of the ES-style double-cut body, while a full gloss finish completes the traditional presentation. Available in Royal Tan and Sparkling Burgundy, the Riviera balances familiar semi-hollow construction with a look that remains distinctly Epiphone.

Rosewood Fingerboard Reconnects the Riviera With Its Roots

While the Epiphone Riviera historically came fitted with a rosewood fingerboard, more recent iterations have featured Indian laurel. This refreshed Riviera returns to the model’s roots with a rosewood board that provides a smooth playing surface with a warm, natural feel beneath the fingers. The set mahogany neck features a comfortable Rounded C profile and 24.75" scale, while the 12" fingerboard radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets accommodate everything from open-position chords to expressive bends and lead work. Pearloid parallelogram inlays reinforce the Riviera's distinctive visual identity, complemented by single-ply fingerboard binding and a Graph Tech nut.

Epiphone PRO Mini Humbuckers for a Clear, Vibrant Voice

A pair of Epiphone PRO Mini Humbuckers gives the Riviera a distinctive voice with greater brightness and cut than traditional full-size humbuckers while retaining hum-canceling performance. The neck pickup delivers smooth, glassy cleans and clear articulation, while the bridge pickup adds the definition and edge needed for more aggressive overdriven sounds. A three-way selector provides access to either pickup or both together, with dedicated volume and tone controls for each pickup offering plenty of room to shape and blend their response. Premium CTS potentiometers provide smooth, consistent operation across the Riviera's broad tonal range.

Frequensator Tailpiece and Vintage Details Honor the Riviera’s Heritage

The Riviera's distinctive Frequensator tailpiece is a hallmark of vintage Epiphone design, helping balance string tension for a more consistent feel from the low strings to the high strings. A LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge provides precise adjustment of action and intonation, while Epiphone Vintage Deluxe tuners with metal buttons work with the Graph Tech nut for dependable tuning performance. The traditional sloped dovewing headstock features mother-of-pearl Epiphone branding and a '60s-style oval inlay, joined by a crescent bullet truss rod cover and three-ply pickguard with the signature foil "E." Nickel hardware throughout completes a presentation unmistakably rooted in classic Epiphone design.

An Unmistakable Epiphone Semi-Hollow Since 1961

First introduced in 1961, the Riviera has earned an enduring place in Epiphone's history as an original semi-hollow design with a character all its own. Its combination of center-block construction, bright and articulate mini humbuckers, a distinctive Frequensator tailpiece and unmistakable Epiphone appointments has given the model an identity that stands apart within the broader ES family. This refreshed Epiphone Riviera preserves that distinctive formula, pairing its classic semi-hollow construction and signature hardware with a rosewood fingerboard and premium CTS electronics. Complete with classic parallelogram inlays and vintage-inspired appointments, it brings the Riviera's distinctive blend of style, clarity and versatility forward for a new generation of players.