Electric bass guitar
Maker
Epiphone, Inc.
Date1967
Place MadeKalamazoo, Michigan, United States, North America
ModelRivoli EB-232
Serial No.865243
SignedRectangular label, with black print: STYLE EB 232 / EPIPOHONE Rivoli / No. 865243 / guarantee / void if number / is defaced / EPIPHONE, INC / KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN / UNION MADEDescriptionEpiphone began with the founding of a musical instrument-making workshop in New York by Anastasios Stathopoulo, a Greek immigrant. Following his death in 1915, the family continued to expand the business. In 1923, the business was incorporated as Epiphone, named for Epiminondas "Epi" Anastasios Stathopoulo, Anastasios’ son and leader of the company. The name Epiphone translates as "Epi’s sound." The family sold the firm to the C. G. Conn Company, Elkhart, Indiana, in 1953.
The Rivoli, with a thin-line, semi-hollow body, was introduced in 1959, two years after Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI), also the owner of Gibson. The Rivoli went in and out of production during the next decade until it was permanently discontinued in 1970. The Rivoli was Epiphone’s most expensive electric bass in 1968, offered at $425.
DimensionsHeight: 19 in
Width: 16 in
Depth: 1-3/4 in
(from manufacturer’s catalog)
ProvenancePurchased by donor in August 1978.
Credit LineGift of James S. Patterson Estate, 1991
Object number05221
On View
Not on view
