Paf Humbucker
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 Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker Pickups Set PAF Nickel Aged Free Shipping  US $229.50
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The Epiphone Riviera helped reinvent Epiphone in the 1960s, after the faltering company's founder passed on and was aquired by guitar giant Gibson. This semi-hollowbody guitar with double cutaways and humbucking pickups was introduced in 1962, and was a departure from Epiphones other models to date.
Then President of Gibson, Ted McCarty, saw the opportunity to leverage Epiphone as a second Gibson brand, instead of the lesser idea of using Epiphone to produce acoustic Gibson basses.
The slightly smaller "mini-humbuckers" on the Epiphone Riviera were actually an attempt to keep the guitar on a lesser tier than it's big brother, the Gibson ES-335. Instead of the traditional PAF Humbucker tone, the mini-humbucker produced slightly lower output.
The Riviera has been overshadowed in the vintage market by the Casino model. While you could argue that both models are quite similar in design and tone, the Casino had one irrefutable advantage: The Beatles.
While the Fab Four would have been happy with the Riviera, it just happened that they (especially John Lennon) favored the Casino. Countless chance choices have shaped the fate of many guitars over the years, and such is life.
The Riviera has the standard Gibson pickup configuration: two humbuckers, neck and bridge, each with independent volume and tone knobs. This classic setup can also be found on the Les Paul, Flying V, SG, and plenty of others.
Top players of this guitar include Otis Rush, The Edge, and Nick Valesi of The Strokes, who has his own Signature Riviera, the P-94.
This is an excellent guitar for jangly rock sounds and excels capturing a vintage tone. This is no one trick pony though, as this axe is comfortable playing rock and country music as well.
The original is no longer in production, nor is the Epiphone Elite version of the Rivera, but these days you can find both on auction sites like eBay. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a reissue, and $5,000 or more for an original.
For a retro look and sound that you just don't see too often, the Epiphone Riviera is a great choice.
For a closer look at the Epiphone Riviera, including videos and more articles, check out My Guitar Guide
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DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Creme Regular $64.95 DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Creme Regular |
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DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Black Regular $64.95 DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Black Regular |
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DiMarzio DP759 PAF 7 Humbucker Pickup for 7-String Guitars Black $69.95 DiMarzio DP759 PAF 7 Humbucker Pickup for 7-String Guitars Black |
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Dimarzio Dp759 Paf 7 Humbucker Pickup For 7-String Guitars Black $69.95 DiMarzio DP759 PAF 7 Humbucker Pickup for 7-String Guitars Black |
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Dimarzio Paf Dp103 Humbucker 36Th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Black Regular $64.95 DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Black Regular |
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Dimarzio Paf Dp103 Humbucker 36Th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Creme Regular $64.95 DiMarzio PAF DP103 Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Creme Regular |
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Dimarzio Dp223 Paf Bridge Humbucker 36Th Anniv. Electric Guitar Pickup $64.95 DiMarzio DP223 PAF Bridge Humbucker 36th Anniversary Electric Guitar Pickup Black/Creme Regular Spacing |
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Dimarzio Dp103n Paf 36Th Anniv. Guitar Single Conductor Humbucker Pickup $69.95 DiMarzio DP103N PAF Single Conductor Humbucker 36th Anniversary Guitar Pickup Nickel Cover Regular Spacing |
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Dimarzio Paf Dp103 Humbucker 36Th Anniversary Guitar $64.95 The DiMarzio PAF DP103 humbucker pickup has a smooth, almost voice-like quality and that intangible swell to the notes after attack. It possesses vintage output and breathes freely with an open, warm character. Played flat-out through a non-master volume tube amp, the 36th anniversary PAF recreates the deep character of the great plug-in, turn-up and wail school of tone. Modern potting techniques and tight, consistent winding eliminates squeal and microphonics common to the original guitar pickups. |
