Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

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.

Latest in Guitars
D'Angelo and Prince
D’Angelo was so in awe of Prince that he refused to play his guitar on the one occasion they shared a stage
 
 
Keeley Electronics Nocturne: this new stereo reverb is the latest signature pedal for Andy Timmons and has a dark metallic blue enclosure with a similar control surface to his Halo Core pedal.
“I turn this thing on, I don’t want to stop playing”: Keeley Electronics has made Andy Timmons fall in love with reverb with his new signature Nocturne pedal
 
 
Paul McCartney points to the crowd and raises an eyebrow as he performs with his iconic Höfner Violin Bass
Paul McCartney's favourite bass company is in trouble – Höfner's future uncertain as it files provisional insolvency proceedings
 
 
Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X – The latest and most high-profile addition to the Finnish brand's signature plugin range, Mayer's plugin is replete with captures of boutique, rare and one-off amps and pedals
It’s official! Neural DSP’s John Mayer Archetype plugin suite is here – and with Dumble, Klon and Reverberator captures, it is the motherlode for boutique electric guitar tone
 
 
Joe Walsh plays a PRS SE electric guitar live onstage
Joe Walsh on the best guitar solo he ever recorded (and how it officially made the talk box a thing)
 
 
Olivia Rodrigo playing guitar
Olivia Rodrigo explains why she loves playing her custom Ernie Ball Music Man St Vincent Goldie signature model
 
 
Latest in News
Portrait of British musician Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Irish musician Shane MacGowan, the latter of the group the Pogues, as they pose together, each holding a toy gun with one hand and, in the other, a Christmas cracker over an inflatable Santa Claus, 1987.
“In operas, if you have a double aria, it's what the woman does that really matters. The man lies, the woman tells the truth": The story of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Chris Rea circa 1970
Tell Me There’s A Heaven: Chris Rea has died, aged 74
 
 
Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park MGM on August 31, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon”: Why Lady Gaga is unafraid of AI
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Alanis Morrisette performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage for ABA)
Alanis Morissette reveals what she thinks is “the real irony” of the fuss caused by the lyrics in her 1996 hit
 
 
 Morrissey performs at The SSE Arena, Wembley on March 14, 2020 in London, England
Back To The Old House: Morrissey signs again to Warners subsidiary Sire
 
 
Artist Paul Simon arrives for the Polar Music Prize at Konserthuset on August 28, 2012 in Stockholm, Sweden
“One of music’s great storytellers”: Paul Simon among artists to be given Lifetime Achievement award at 2026 Grammys
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...