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
1968 Epiphone Rivoli EB232 Vintage Semi-Hollow Bass Cherry w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2900
The semi-hollow body is crafted from maple (maple centerblock), paired with a mahogany neck and ... more
1967 Epiphone EB-232 Rivoli Short Scale Electric Bass Sunburst !
Peckville, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3395
Epiphone Rivoli Semi-Hollow Electric Bass in Cherry, with Gig Bag (Used)
Birmingham, B18***, UNITED KINGDOM
£1050
- Frets: Good condition, no issues.
- Hardware: All original. Missing pickguard.
- Electronics: All original, no issues.
- Finish: This Bass Guitar is in Very Good condition with minimal wear through previous usage
* Gig Bag included.
* Please note all of our USED / EX-DISPLAY Guitars & Basses are checked, tested, cleaned and set up professionally by our Luthiers before dispatching. All of our Used Guitars ... more
Epiphone Rivoli EBV232 Vintage 1963 Semi-Acoustic Bass Kalamazoo(Gibson) '63+OHC
Milano, 20***, ITALY
€2950
Suono notevole, vero vintage sound!!
Custodia rigida originale compresa
Vendita tra privati con formula AS / IS senza alcun diritto di ... more
1967 EPIPHONE RIVOLI Bass Guitar - EB 232C in CHERRY with hard shell case
London, SW6***, UNITED KINGDOM
£4650
1967 EPIPHONE RIVOLI Bass - EB 232C CHERRY
Incredibly clean, this exceptional condition Epiphone Rivoli was produced by Gibson in their Kalamazoo plant, after Gibson bought the brand in the late 1950s. Identical construction to a Gibson EB2, the only difference being the headstock design and inlays. In a solid 9 out of 10 condition, has a few tiny dings but overall it's in wonderful condition This Rivoli,... 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.
Rivoli eb232 #093541 like to know manuf. date? thanks
Hi Tim, your bass was almost certainly built in 1967