[DeGecko]

Hi guys,

I have a late '50s or early '60s Egmond Princess. Except for the pickup all the electronics need to be replaced and as it has kind of the same lay-out as a Rivoli or an EB-2 and I love their sound I thought "Why not make it into one?".

As Jules pointed out the EB-2 has a tone choke which is very hard to find, so here's the question: How do the electronics in a Rivoli and an EB-2 differ and which would be suitable for my Princess? (And easy to get and build in of course ;) ) Other suggestions are always welcome too of course :P


The Princess can be found here: http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/php...pic.php?t=1943

[rivoli67]

I cannot answer all the questions but I think, that 60´s Rivoli´s and EB-2´s are identical with most of parts and electronics.

[jules]

These are the same. The Rivoli and EB2 only had a different headstock shape and pickguard. That's it. Same pickups and circuitry. The EB2 and Rivoli tone come, to a large extent, from the neck pickup which has a lot more windings (and therefore the 30k resistance) than almost any other bass pickup. Naturally the semi-hollow body, short scale and set mahogany neck all play their part, but it is the neck pickup that really gives that sound.

I would say to approximate that sound, the pickups are the main thing to change. But as you point out, they are the things that don't need changing!

So how does it sound in it's natural state? It'd be great to hear some soundclips before you start modding, to compare with what you end up with.

[DeGecko]

It sounds a bit like a double bass right now.
Of course it does have flatwounds on it and every bit of metal has oxidation and only one knob works :D

I think I'm just gonna change the pots and switches then. I'll try to record some sound clips, allthough I don't think I'll be able to before the modding...

[Dave W]

Before you go to the trouble of changing the pots and switches, you might try using an electronics deoxidizer/cleaner like DeoxIT or whatever similar is available in your area.

[DeGecko]

Hehe, believe me, the pots can't be saved
I do want to deoxidize the switches and keep them original, but they'll have to be reconnected anyway...

[copacetic]

One thing you might try if the if the switch you have is inoperable (and these might be just as hard to find as the Gibson/Epi baritone switch) is one from an old Guild bass. They also did the same radical tone "suck" as it was referred to on the Guild Starfires and M-85s. It sounded different because of the Hagstrom pickups they were using but we all know Guild was just trying to make their version of the impossibly uncopyable Gibson semi hollow/Rivoli.

[DeGecko]

Well, I had a lot of luck with this one.
Appearantly the pots and switches still functioned after a bit of a clean-up. The only thing that wa actually broken was the wiring in the bridge pup, but our technician is an extremely gifted guy and he repaired it (no rewiring, actually a repair :D)

So now everything is original, except for the nut, which I replaced so I'm sure about that, and the bridge I think. Guess I'll look for a proper Hofner bridge (or a copy), 'cause the one that's on now does the job, but is a bit high...

[Coonman]

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to buy either one......Rivoli or EB-2......for the same price, at the old "We Buy" guitars etc. in Manhattan.
I think they were $175 each. I picked the Epiphone, because they seemed to be a lot more scarce than the Gibson at the time. And neither one was too popular then, in 1973. But except for the obvious (pickguard, headstock) they were identical in every way including sound. Oh yea; the fact that I was a lifelong Yardbirds fan may have influenced my decision a little.