1997 Epiphone Rivoli VC Vintage Sunburst Made in Korea Peerless factory

1997 Epiphone Rivoli Bass Made in Korea Peerless Factory, MIK, Short Scale Semi-Hollow

Up for sale is a beautiful 1997 Epiphone Rivoli Bass reissue, built in Korea at the highly regarded Peerless Factory. The Rivoli is one of those classic, under-the-radar semi-hollow short-scale basses that nails the vintage vibe while remaining incredibly playable and practical in a modern setup.

This one ships in a soft, non-original gigbag (padded and perfectly serviceable for everyday use). Please note: the original pickguard is not included, so the bass is being sold as-is in that regard.

The 1990s Rivoli reissues have built a strong reputation among players who want that warm, woody semi-hollow resonance with the comfortable feel of a 30.5" short scale. They’re light on the shoulder, fast under the fingers, and they sit in a mix with that unmistakable old-school character—without needing to fight the instrument.

Condition-wise, this bass has been genuinely well looked after and is in near-mint shape overall, with no cracks, repairs, or structural issues. Everything is solid, stable, and fully functional—ready to gig or record immediately.

Cosmetically, it presents extremely clean, with only a few small, honest signs of age from careful use—light handling marks and minor surface wear that you’d expect on a nearly 30-year-old instrument. Nothing distracting, and nothing that takes away from the classy, vintage look.

The neck feels fantastic in hand—comfortable, quick, and inviting—and the rosewood fingerboard is clean and smooth. All 20 frets show minimal wear, with plenty of life left. Hardware is original to the best of my knowledge and has aged nicely, adding just the right amount of vintage charm without looking tired or abused.

Electronics are working exactly as they should. The Rivoli’s signature Sidewinder humbucker delivers that deep, rounded low end with a focused mid punch that makes short-scale semi-hollows so addictive—big fundamental, warm bloom, and a naturally “record-ready” voice. The onboard tone circuit/switch also lets you shape the character quickly, moving from thick and pillowy to tighter and more cutting when you need it.

It has been cleaned, checked over, and set up so it plays comfortably up and down the neck.

If you have any questions—measurements, weight, specific photos, or anything else—please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and thanks for looking!