If you close your eyes and think of the 1990s, you probably hear a wall of loud, melodic guitars. Most people picture Noel Gallagher standing in front of a stack of Marshalls, but there is a specific instrument that defined the Morning Glory era more than any other. I'm talking about the dark wine red Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher made famous—a guitar that was recently reborn for the rest of us.
Honestly, it's kind of wild how long it took Epiphone to get this right. For years, fans had to settle for the Supernova, which was a fine guitar but, let's be real, Noel never actually played that thing in the studio. The new signature model is different. It's a direct recreation of his original 1983 Japanese-made Riviera.
Why This Specific Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher Matters
Back in 1994 and 1995, Oasis wasn't just a band; they were a cultural earthquake. While Bonehead was holding down the rhythm on his tan Riviera, Noel was using his dark wine red version to track nearly all the rhythm parts on (What's the Story) Morning Glory?.
You've likely seen it in the "Don't Look Back in Anger" video. It has that deep, moody finish that looks almost black under stage lights but glows blood-red when the sun hits it. But it isn't just about the looks. Most Rivieras from the 60s come with mini-humbuckers and a Frequensator tailpiece. Noel’s was an 80s oddity from the Matsumoku factory in Japan.
It had full-sized humbuckers. It had a stop-bar tailpiece. Basically, it was built more like a Gibson ES-335 than a traditional Epiphone. That construction gave him the sustain and "chunk" needed for those massive Britpop anthems.
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The Specs: What’s Under the Hood?
When Epiphone announced they were bringing back the Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher signature in 2022, gear nerds (myself included) were skeptical. Would it feel cheap? Would they mess up the neck?
Surprisingly, they nailed the "volute." That’s the little bump of wood at the base of the headstock that makes the neck stronger. You don't see that on many Epiphones, but it was a staple of that early 80s era.
- The Body: It’s a 5-ply layered maple build. It’s resonant, but the maple center block keeps the feedback under control when you crank the gain.
- The Neck: They went with a SlimTaper C profile. It’s fast. Not "shredder" fast, but comfortable enough for those long barre-chord sessions.
- The Pickups: They used Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers. They aren't quite the Maxon pickups found in the original '83, but they’re punchy and clear.
- The Finish: Dark Wine Red. It’s a polyurethane gloss, so it’s tough and shiny.
One thing most people miss is the "E" logo on the pickguard and truss rod cover. It’s the period-correct foil logo, not the modern plastic one. It’s a small touch, but it shows someone actually cared about the history here.
Is It Actually Better Than a Standard Riviera?
If you're looking at a shop wall, you might wonder why the Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher costs a few hundred bucks more than the standard version.
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The standard Riviera currently in production uses mini-humbuckers. Those have a "jangly" character—think early Beatles or R.E.M. Noel’s signature uses full-sized humbuckers. If you want that thick, saturated Oasis lead tone, you need the full-size ones.
Also, the signature comes with a hardshell case. Given that a decent case costs $120 nowadays, the price jump starts to make a lot more sense.
What to Watch Out For
No guitar is perfect. While these are built incredibly well for the price point (usually around $899), they are mass-produced in China. I’ve seen some where the Indian Laurel fretboard looks a bit dry out of the box. A little bit of lemon oil fixes that in five minutes.
Also, the tuners are "Epiphone Premium Die-Cast." They work totally fine. However, if you're a touring pro or just aggressive with your bends, you might eventually want to swap them for some Grovers. But for playing at home or at a local gig? They’re solid.
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How to Get the Most Out of It
To really make this guitar sing, you can't just plug it into a tiny practice amp. Noel’s sound was a combination of this Riviera and a cranked Marshall or Vox AC30.
If you want the "Some Might Say" or "Morning Glory" sound, set your amp to a light crunch. Then, use a Tube Screamer or a Boss SD-1 to push it over the edge for the solos. Because it’s a semi-hollow body, it has this "air" around the notes that a solid-body Les Paul just can't replicate. It feels alive in your hands.
Final Verdict on the Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher
This isn't just a piece of memorabilia. It’s a legitimate workhorse guitar. Whether you're an Oasis obsessive or just someone who wants a high-quality semi-hollow that doesn't cost $4,000, it delivers.
It captures a very specific moment in music history—the transition from the indie "shambles" of the early 90s to the world-dominating stadium rock of the mid-90s.
Next Steps for Your Rig:
- Check the setup: These guitars often come with .010 gauge strings, but Noel often used slightly heavier sets for more tension.
- Hydrate the board: If the laurel fretboard looks light gray, apply some fretboard conditioner immediately.
- Grab the right pick: Use a heavy triangular pick (like the Dunlop Tortex .88mm) to get that signature Gallagher "scrape" on the strings.
The Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher signature is a rare case where the hype actually matches the instrument. It’s loud, it’s red, and it’s meant to be played at a volume that annoys your neighbors. Just as Noel intended.