Epiphone adds new Casino models and resurrects the Riviera
4,3 / 5,0 | 
Epiphone is at it again! More releases have just been announced, following on from last week’s slew of new models, including the Coronet, Wilshire, and Crestwood, plus the ES-335 and ES-339 models. Phew! But not content to rest on its laurels, Epiphone charges ahead with new finishes for its Casino model as well as the new Riviera. Fans of affordable hollow-bodied guitars are getting their money’s worth here.
Casino with worn finish
The new Epiphone Casino ‘Worn’ models come in three new finishes, Olive Drab, Ebony and Denim Blue. All feature a pair of Pro P-90 pickups with two volume and tone control controls. Epiphone hasn’t skimped on the electronics, spec’ing in some nice quality CTS pots.
Epiphone Casino Olive Drab · Source: Epiphone
Epiphone Casino Ebony · Source: Epiphone
Epiphone Casino Denim Blue · Source: Epiphone
Hollow Bodied
All these Casinos are built using 5-ply maple hollow body construction, paired with a set-in 24.724″ scale length mahogany 60s C-profile neck fitted with an Indian laurel 12″ radius fingerboard, 22 medium jumbo frets and Trapezoid inlays. Other hardware includes a LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, a Diamond Trapeze tailpiece and a Graph Tech NuBone nut.
Priced at GBP 399 / USD 449, this model seems eminently affordable given the quality of the hardware.
Riviera
Next up is the new Riviera model. Another hollow body guitar, this one sports a maple central block and a set of Epiphone’s Pro mini humbuckers instead of the P90s on the Casino above. The basic materials for construction are the same as the Casino, except the maple centre block. Another marked difference is the ’30s-style Frequensator tailpiece, which makes it stand out. The Riviera is offered in two finish options, a sweet-looking Sparkling Burgundy and a more traditional Royal Tan finish.
The price is more than reasonable given what’s on offer here, coming in at GBP 599 or USD 649.
Epiphone Riviera Royal tan · Source: Epiphone
Epiphone Riviera Sparkling Burgundy · Source: Epiphone
Hollow Bargains?
I’m pretty sure that both of these new models will please a lot of players and the pricing is pretty good for such nice looking guitars. Initial reports on YouTube from various dealers are all pretty positive in terms of fit and finish. Epiphone could be on a winner with these two new releases. Pre-orders are open now, for example via our affiliate partner, Thomann, using the links above.
More Information
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