Epiphone - Bonehead Riviera Dark Tobacco Sunburst + Etui

As soon as you pick up this Riviera, you immediately feel the density of its maple body and the rigidity of the centre block, as if every chord were vibrating right into your ribcage. It's no coincidence that the multi-ply construction had already won over the big stages: it stabilised sustain, controlled feedback and gave the guitar the impression of a double-edged sword, capable of shining brightly or roaring with saturation.

The history of this model can be seen directly on its three-part SlimTaper neck, a profile that was designed for marathon strumming without losing your touch. Slide over the rosewood fingerboard with its pearlescent parallelogram inlays, and you'll understand why so many songs flowed fluidly from this arrangement. The 305 mm radius already facilitated strong bends, and today it remains an ideal launching pad for straightforward attacks.

When the two Alnico Classic PROs are plugged in, the palette becomes surprisingly broad: the neck pickup asserts itself with a warm, dense, almost organic velvety quality, while the bridge pickup releases a precise aggressiveness that's as sharp as a razor-sharp blade. The CTS potentiometers ensure a surgical balance between power and clarity, and the 'Witch Hats' knobs with silver inserts recall the aesthetics of the period while offering formidable ergonomics. This electronic architecture shaped the wall of guitars in the '90s, and it still promises vibrant authenticity to anyone who wants to get the ball rolling.

You'll also notice the care taken with the oil-bath tuners stamped with the E logo, their stability making it possible to demand heavier pulls without giving up an ounce of trueness. The LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece complete the picture, locking in every vibration with almost military rigour. The combination guarantees exemplary reliability, whether you're pushing the volume in rehearsal or going through an entire set in a room saturated with heat.

And as a nod to the fans, the Bonehead gold signature sits discreetly on the back of the head, accompanied by a mother-of-pearl inlay of the Gibson Crown logo. This detail tells of a filiation as much as a tribute, reminding us that part of the DNA of the Manchester scene was engraved in the wood of this Riviera. With its white pickguard adorned with a silver E, nickel hardware and hard case, the model has the feel of a collector's item, while remaining an instrument ready to relive the sonic excesses for which it was designed.