Up for sale, a 1970 Epiphone Rivoli vintage semi-hollowbody bass guitar in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Crafted by Gibson at their Kalamazoo factory and structurally identical to the Gibson EB-2, this custom color example features the original Sparkling Burgundy nitro lacquer finish. Unlike Cherry, Sparkling Burgundy is opaque with a metallic undercoat, and this particular finish retains a particularly bold and unfaded shade of this custom color on top, with notable oxidation and greening at the bass-side waist and a slightly more golden shade on the back.

One of Epiphone's most desirable and eye-catching vintage bass designs, the Rivoli has the classic body shape and maple construction of Gibson's ES guitars, with a powerful, thick-sounding "Mudbucker" mounted in the neck position. Strung with 45-105 D'addario Chromes flatwound strings on the 30 1/2" scale, this bass has a very comfortable feel and plays effortlessly, delivering great pillowy low end woof and deep thump. Whether you're looking to fill out a power trio with sub-heavy supremacy and midrange kick, or sit back in the mix in a larger ensemble with a mellow yet substantial fundamental warmth, this Rivoli can deliver the goods. The bass weighs 9lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with comfortable action and optimal intonation.

The mahogany neck has a deep U profile carve with generous shoulder, filling the palm and contributing greatly to the resonance and sustain of the instrument. The profile measures .885" deep at the 1st fret and graduates to an impressive 1.055" at the 12th fret. The thick slab rosewood fretboard sports pearloid dot inlay and the original medium jumbo fretwire which has plenty of meat and crown, showing only very light wear on the crowns of frets 1-5. The truss rod is responsive, the neck is straight, and the bass plays well in every register. The original nut measures 1 1/2" in width. On the headstock, the Epiphone logo and pearloid inlay are intact, with the original truss rod cover and particularly clean chrome-plated clover button tuning machines. There is a small "2" above the serial on the back of the headstock, denoting a Factory 2nd for some minor finish flaw undetectable after a half century.

All of the electronics work as they should, with Volume and Tone knobs as well as a Varitone push button tone shift/boost switch that adds further versatility to the Rivoli's sound. The electronics are untouched, and what can be viewed via a mirror through the treble side F hole is all original with untouched solder joints. The original bridge is intact with particularly clean chrome plating, original nylon saddles, and stock bridge cover. Both bridge thumbwheels have good height for future adjustment too. Plastic parts include a pair of original, nigh flawless witch hat knobs and the single-ply transparent tortoise pickguard. Visible through the F hole, the rectangular blue Epiphone label is intact with the EB232 C Rivoli designation and serial number matching the headstock.

Cosmetically, this bass is in fantastic shape, with a stunning 100% original nitro lacquer Sparkling Burgundy finish. Sparkling Burgundy very commonly fades to a more brownish/golden hue, making the deep, saturated subtle metalflake red retained on this instrument all the more rare. Cosmetic wear is limited to broad vertical lacquer checking across the body, one spot of faint buckle rash at the treble-side waist, and a few additional minor marks on the body as a whole. The neck profile exhibits just a few small scattered marks, not distracting to the palm in the slightest.

The original black tolex hardshell case with blue plush interior is included with original handle and latches intact.