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  1. Guitars

In Pictures: Epiphone Limited Edition Black Royale Collection

News
By Matthew Parker published 6 September 2012

New range features six guitars, including ES-339, Wildkat and Dot

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Epiphone Black Royale Collection

Epiphone Black Royale Collection

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Check out full press release below and browse the gallery for a detailed look at all of the new models.

PRESS RELEASE: The Epiphone Black Royale Collection brings together some of Epiphone's most iconic electric guitars, from vintage standards to new twists on old favorites, all with a beautiful Black Pearl, fine metallic color finish with silver sparkle binding.

No other guitar manufacturer can boast of such a collection that combines classic looks, vintage tone, and modern construction. But most importantly, the Black Royale collection is Epiphone's salute to its many fans, a sincere thank you to Epiphone players around the world who think of Epiphone as their very own instrument company.

The Line-up Includes: The Black Royale Collection features the classic Dot ES-335 style electric that is both a rock and roll and jazz standard, the ES-339 PRO with Alnico Classic PRO Humbuckers and push/pull coil-tapping on each pickup, the radical and super cool Riviera Custom P93 featuring three P-90R pickups, the stunning Emperor Swingster with SwingBucker Plus Humbuckers, series parallel wiring, and Bigsby tremolo, the ground-breaking Wildkat with P-90s and Bigsby tremolo, and of course, the Les Paul Standard featuring Alnico Classic Plus Humbuckers.

Built to Perform: All of the Black Royale collection feature Epiphone's all-metal hardware, Grover kidney style 14:1 machine heads, and full function volume and tone knobs using full-size 500K potentiometers. Each member of the Black Royale collection offers players timeless quality and a combination of vintage feel and modern styling that goes with every kind of music.

Grab One Today, Before Theyíre History! It's easy to imagine these instruments hanging in the window of a neighborhood instrument store in 1958 or 1968. But with features like coil-tapping, Alnico Classic PRO Humbuckers, right-on intonation and all metal hardware, the Black Royale Collection could only be made today.

Right now. If you're an Epiphone fan, you probably have more than one Epiphone instrument at home. Now, make room for the Black Royale Collection. Be part of our history and let Epiphone be part of yours. Look for the Epiphone Black Royale Collection at your favorite Authorized Epiphone Dealer Today.

Page 1 of 28
Page 1 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul

Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 2 of 28
Page 2 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (bridge)

Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (bridge)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 3 of 28
Page 3 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (controls)

Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 4 of 28
Page 4 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (neck)

Epiphone Black Royale Les Paul (neck)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 5 of 28
Page 5 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat

Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 6 of 28
Page 6 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (bridge)

Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (bridge)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 7 of 28
Page 7 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (controls)

Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 8 of 28
Page 8 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (neck)

Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (neck)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 9 of 28
Page 9 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (headstock)

Epiphone Black Royale Wildkat (headstock)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 10 of 28
Page 10 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale ES-339

Epiphone Black Royale ES-339

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 11 of 28
Page 11 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (bridge)

Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (bridge)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 12 of 28
Page 12 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (controls)

Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 13 of 28
Page 13 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (neck)

Epiphone Black Royale ES-339 (neck)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 14 of 28
Page 14 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93

Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 15 of 28
Page 15 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (bridge/controls)

Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (bridge/controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 16 of 28
Page 16 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (pickups))

Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (pickups))

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 17 of 28
Page 17 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (headstock))

Epiphone Black Royale Riviera Custom P93 (headstock))

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 18 of 28
Page 18 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Dot

Epiphone Black Royale Dot

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 19 of 28
Page 19 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Dot (bridge)

Epiphone Black Royale Dot (bridge)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 20 of 28
Page 20 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Dot (controls)

Epiphone Black Royale Dot (controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 21 of 28
Page 21 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Dot (neck)

Epiphone Black Royale Dot (neck)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 22 of 28
Page 22 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Dot (headstock)

Epiphone Black Royale Dot (headstock)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 23 of 28
Page 23 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster

Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 24 of 28
Page 24 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (bridge)

Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (bridge)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 25 of 28
Page 25 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (controls)

Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (controls)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 26 of 28
Page 26 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (neck)

Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (neck)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 27 of 28
Page 27 of 28
Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (headstock)

Epiphone Black Royale Emperor Swingster (headstock)

You're looking at the new Epiphone Black Royale Collection, a range of six guitars, including the Les Paul, Wildkat, ES-339, Dot, Riviera P93 and Emperor Swingster, all coated in a really-quite-desireable Black Pearl metallic finish.

Page 28 of 28
Page 28 of 28
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
The Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Widow introduces bold fresh colour burst finishes on the Les Paul Custom – Purple, Red, Indigo and Orange Burst, anyone?
Epiphone and Guitar Center team up for colourful riff on a cult classic – the Les Paul Custom Widow
Gretsch Limited Edition Streamliner 2025: three limited edition semi-hollow electric guitars are pictured against a bank of studio hardware.
Bigsby wobble, rock ’n’ roll mojo for $699? Gretsch unveils trio of limited run Streamliner models
Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Trouble: this limited edition single-cut features uncovered pickups and a vintage gloss nitro finish, and it's available in Vintage Cherry Sunburst and Vintage Tobacco Sunburst
Gibson’s Les Paul Standard Double Trouble is a limited edition run with that ’59/’60 Golden Era vibe
Gibson Les Paul Special with Mini Humbuckers Tobacco Burst: exclusively available direct from Gibson, these solid mahogany singlecuts remix the Special recipe with mini humbuckers, giving the singlecut a different voice.
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Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
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