The Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera in detail
It all began with the Epiphone Riviera. During the early Oasis tours Noel Gallagher played various Gibson and Epiphone guitars, but the Epiphone Rivieras from the early 1980s really stood out. The look and sound of these instruments gave audiences the ultimate live experience of this legendary rock'n'roll band.
About the artist
In 1988 Noel Gallagher started working as a roadie for the band Inspiral Carpets, having earlier unsuccessfully auditioned there as a singer. When he returned from a tour in 1992, he was astonished to find that his brother Liam had joined a band called Rain as their vocalist. That band consisted of some acquaintances of the brothers, including future Oasis members Paul McGuigan and Paul Arthurs. A visit to a Rain gig quickly convinced Noel of Liam's charisma as a frontman. Because of Noel Gallagher's songwriting ability, Liam persuaded him to join the band. Gallagher agreed on the condition that he would be the sole bandleader and composer. At Liam's urging, Rain was renamed Oasis. The name comes from the venue of a Stone Roses gig in Swindon, a poster of which hung on the brothers' bedroom wall during their childhood.
Until August 2009 he was the principal songwriter, lead guitarist and, after his younger brother, the second singer of the rock band Oasis. At the height of Oasis' success in the mid-1990s, Noel Gallagher was a central figure of the Britpop movement. In September 2008 the seventh Oasis album Dig Out Your Soul was released, which again featured six compositions by Noel Gallagher. On the tour for the album, Gallagher announced his departure from the band in August 2009.
In 2011 his first solo album titled Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was released, which is also the name of Noel's new live band. The album topped the UK album charts shortly after its release. After many collaborative projects with other artists, including Jay-Z and Phil Collins, Noel Gallagher released his fourth solo studio album Council Skies in summer 2023, which climbed to number two in the UK charts.
It was recently announced that Oasis will embark on a major reunion tour in 2025, on which Noel Gallagher will of course return as guitarist and his brother Liam as vocalist.
Recreation of an icon
Epiphone is honoured to welcome Noel Gallagher back into the Core lineup with the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera in a stunning Dark Wine Red finish. As the original is still part of the artist's collection, Epiphone was granted access and has therefore incorporated many historical elements into this new model. The colour and finish are very similar to the original models from that era, while Epiphone Alnico ClassicPRO™ pickups ensure that the sound matches the look. The SlimTaper neck is complemented by a volute. Additional details such as the historically accurate “E” markings on the pickguard and the truss rod cover as well as a brown soundhole label give this guitar a vintage feel. The guitar is supplied with an Epiphone hard shell case and is decorated with a reproduced artist signature on the back of the headstock.
More than just a copy
In this video you'll learn more about the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera and how Noel originally came across and used this model. Whether you want to form an Oasis cover band or simply enjoy the guitar's distinctive, outstanding acoustic tone on the sofa, this instrument delivers across the board. Check it out!
Product information "Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera Dark Red Wine"
Noel Gallagher's favourite working instrument is an Epiphone Riviera from the early 80s - Gibson has now dedicated a corresponding signature model to him - the Riviera Noel Gallagher Dark Red Wine. The classic semi-hollowbody guitar is a historically accurate reissue of the 80s Riviera - back, sides and top made of laminated maple, glued-in mahogany neck, Epiphone LockTone hardware, 2 Alnico Pro humbuckers and Dark Red Wine finish.
- Body Material: Maple laminated
- Body Shape: ES Shape
- Bridge / Tremolo: Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™
- Bridge Pickup: Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO™
- Color/ Finish: Dark Wine Red
- Colour: Red
- Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone
- Country of Origin: China
- Custom shop: no
- Fretboard: laurel
- Fretboard Inlays: Pearloid Trapezoid
- Fretboard radius: 12"
- Frets: 22
- Hardware: Nickel
- Includes: Hardcase
- Neck: 3 pc Maple
- Neck Pickup: Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO™
- Neck Profile: Slim Taper C
- Neck construction: Set in neck
- Pickup Configuration: H-H (2x Humbucker)
- Pickup Selector Switch: 3-way switch
- Pickup type: passive
- Scale: 24" (610 - 634 mm)
- Scale Length: 24,75" (629 mm)
- Signature Model: yes
- Special Features: Noel Gallagher Signature
- Strings: 6 string
- Strings thickness ex factory: .010 - .046
- Technology: Semi-Hollow Body
- Top: Maple laminated
When you think of Epiphone you naturally think of Gibson, since the maker of guitars, basses, amplifiers and accessories has been part of that company since 1957. Epiphone mainly offers instruments in the lower to mid price range. That means beginners can pick up electric guitar and bass classics such as Les Paul, SG, Explorer, Firebird, ES-335 or Thunderbird for little money. There are also instruments from earlier Epiphone eras like Casino, Wildkat, Riviera and Wilshire. In particular, Epiphone's beginner sets for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and electric bass are worth a close look for newcomers.
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