A graceful vintage Epiphone Riviera is waiting for a new owner. This Matsumoku-made Riviera comes from the golden age of Epiphone Japan in 70’s, represented by the so-called Blue Label. Most of Epiphone Japan hollow bodies I come across are 80’s Terada-made Casino, yes I admit they are highly acclaimed over the world, but here the Blue Labels are considered even more superior, and harder to find indeed.

Speaking of the maintenance, this guitar displays moderate wears of high frets (fret 1 to 4 particularly), bindings around the body, and lacquer on the front top headstock. Playability however, is hardly compromised and I feel very comfortable with touching the fingers all across the fretboard. Neck is very straight, not to mention.

Lastly, to those who have the inquisitive nature, here is how I decipher the serial number of Blue Label, which is not as straightforward as the Orange Label. Some of the Blue Labels has 6 digits and some 5, here this guitar has 85051 – first digit 8 meaning August, second digit 5 being 1975 production, the middle 0 is no clue, then the rest digits 51 is the production number in August 1975 most likely.