The Epiphone Rivoli was another bass manufactured at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, between 1959 and 1968. Overall, it didn't sell as well as the solid body Newport, however it did outsell it in it's final years: 1967-68.
| 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | total | |
| Rivoli EBV 232N/EB 232N | 3 | 66 | 2 | 1 | 72 | ||||||
| Rivoli EB 232 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 107 | 464 | 140 | 198 | 455 | 102 | 1492 | |
| Rivoli EB 232 Cherry | 2 | 263 | 47 | 312 | |||||||
| Total | 4 | 11 | 14 | 107 | 464 | 140 | 266 | 720 | 150 | 1876 |
As can be seen above, the Rivoli was available through most of the sixties, but generally shipped in quite small numbers. 1967 was the peak year, by a significant margin, but, as was always the case, the Epiphone failed to reach the levels of it's Gibson equivalent. 1967 was also the peak shipping year for the Gibson EB2 outselling the Rivoli 2746 to 720.
Sunburst was the most prevalent finish option, with Cherry coming second and finally Natural, split approximately 80% : 17% : 4%
The British beat bands of the mid 1960s popularised the Rivoli, as it was that, that was more widely available in the UK and Europe, than the EB2. Interestingly, American Epiphone price lists for 1963 and 1964 do not include the Rivoli at all, nor was the instrument anywhere near as widely publicised in the US as in the UK (see the Rivoli publicity page for some of these advertisements). Presumably, most of the production listed above for those years was intended for overseas markets.
See also Newport shipping figures, Embassy Deluxe shipping figures, Gibson EB2 shipping figures.
Epiphone Rivoli bass for sale
Epiphone Rivoli Bass Bj. 1967, EB 232, Made in USA Vintage
Bad Schwartau, 23***, GERMANY
€2100
1964 Epiphone Rivoli Bass in Cherry Sunburst
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£3800
1964 EPIPHONE RIVOLI - CHERRY SUNBURST
A Gibson EB2 in all but name, headstock and inlays this semi hollow bodied Rivoli has a laminated maple top and solid maple centre block. The pickup is the famous EB pickup also used on the Gibson EB series. Feature the Baritone switch this has that sound these basses are renowned for. The tortoiseshell Pickguard is, as usual with these missing its silver E badge. ... more
Vintage Epiphone Rivoli Bass EB232 C 1967 In Original Translucent Cherry Finish
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£4250
An outstanding extremely rare original in Collector??s Grade Condition vintage model bass guitar
The original 1960s Rivoli was available in Sunburst and Natural finishes, with Cherry added in 1966. Just 312 instruments (out of a total US production of 1864) shipped in Cherry between 1966 and 1968. This only amounted to 17% of the total US production. The vast majority of Rivolis had the ... more
guitare bass Epiphone Rivoli VC année inconnu 1960? défrettés bass acoustics ty
Apremont, 85***, FRANCE
€590
Je répondrais au mieux à vos questions je ne suis pas musicien merci... more
Hi All! Hope your well these days! Say, Just acquired this awesome Rivoli bass from a friend. stored for a couple decades or more. Not for sale. He purchased in early-mid 70's In very, very good condition. Other than a deep cleaning. Inner sticker is gone. All I can see on headstock is : 097 ? Inner stamp is : 10787 I know the N series was the least produced. Still need to verify Pots but I'll know that soon. Please advise;; Thank You
my Rivoli EB232 is #903750. like to know manuf. year, thank you!
Rivoli eb232 #100936 like to know manuf. date? thanks
Hi PM. Your bass was almost certainly shipped in 1967. If you post some images on the forum I will confirm. This is no surprise.. as can be seen above, 1967 was the peak shipping year for the Epiphone Rivoli.