1964 Epiphone Rivoli EBV-232 Bass – Sunburst

A superb example of one of the coolest and most distinctive American basses of the 1960s. This is a 1964 Epiphone Rivoli EBV-232, built by Gibson/Epiphone in Kalamazoo, Michigan during the company’s golden era, and a particularly desirable early example of the revived Rivoli model.

The Rivoli was Epiphone’s counterpart to the Gibson EB-2 and shared much of its construction, hardware and electronics. With its semi-hollow laminated maple body, short 30½" scale and huge single Sidewinder humbucking pickup, the Rivoli has a character all of its own — warm, deep, woody and exceptionally punchy, with the kind of unmistakable low-end authority that made these basses so popular with British players during the 1960s.

This particular bass has been owned by just one owner since the early 1980s and is in remarkable condition for a 60-year-old instrument. It has the honest dings, marks and playwear you would expect from a vintage bass that has been played and enjoyed, but importantly, it remains free from breaks or repairs. A genuine survivor.

It plays very well, with the frets in good condition and plenty of life remaining. The original pots and capacitor are still present, as are the original machine heads, which function correctly. The original pickguard is no longer with the bass and the strap buttons have been replaced.

The bass weighs 8.62 lb, and the neck has a 44.12 mm nut width, believed to be the slightly wider specification offered around this period. This gives the Rivoli a particularly comfortable and substantial feel compared with the narrower necks found on some later examples.

Original 1964 specification

The Rivoli’s original specification is wonderfully simple and effective: a laminated maple semi-hollow body with a single-bound construction, one-piece mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays, 20 frets and a 30½" short scale. The electronics comprise a single large multi-magnet, double-coil Sidewinder humbucking pickup, with master volume and tone controls and the famous two-way bass/baritone “tone choke” switch.

The Sidewinder is the heart of the Rivoli’s sound. It produces a huge, rounded and resonant low end, with plenty of fundamental and a slightly compressed, woody character that sits beautifully in a band mix. Flicking the tone-choke switch opens up another side of the instrument, giving the bass greater definition and bite when required. It is a wonderfully distinctive sound rather than an attempt to imitate a modern Precision or Jazz Bass.

And this sound has serious pedigree.

The Rivoli became closely associated with the British R&B and British Invasion scene of the 1960s. Chas Chandler of The Animals, Paul Samwell-Smith of The Yardbirds, Ronnie Lane of The Small Faces, Les Chadwick of Gerry and the Pacemakers and John Entwistle of The Who all used Rivoli basses during this era. Jimmy Page also played a Rivoli during his time with The Yardbirds, while Andy Fraser of Free used one later in the decade.

Paul Samwell-Smith’s use of the Rivoli is particularly significant. Its short scale and huge neck pickup suited his chordal and blues-influenced playing, contributing to the distinctive bass sound heard on classic Yardbirds recordings.

This is therefore much more than an unusual vintage Epiphone. The Rivoli helped define a particular era of British rock and R&B bass playing, and its combination of short-scale playability, semi-hollow construction and enormous neck humbucker remains completely unique.

Serial number: 155121

Weight: 8.62 lb

Nut width: 44.12 mm

Scale length: 30½"

Pickup: Original Sidewinder humbucker

Controls: Volume, Tone & Tone Choke/Bass-Baritone switch

Case: High-quality modern Epiphone hard shell case

A beautifully preserved, highly playable and increasingly collectible piece of early-1960s Gibson/Epiphone history. For the player looking for a vintage bass with genuine character, or the collector looking for an exceptional example of one of Epiphone’s most iconic models, this Rivoli is a very special instrument.

Epiphone EB232 Rivoli Single Humbucker 1964 - Sunburst