Riverhead Unicorn

[miku]

Does anyone else here still own a riverhead unicorn? I feel like it's increasingly rare to see them nowadays but I absolutely love mine and will probably keep it forever. Would love to see photos if anyone else still has one!

I've also never been totally sure on the history as I've heard conflicting stories about the production & manufacturers, but if anyone knows or has any sources then it would be great to hear as well. 

 

Added a couple photos of mine below, the bridge pickup is replaced giving it a bit of a unique look but it feels almost impossible to find one that matches the originals haha.

 

Edited Friday at 16:42 by miku

[Inga]

never seen one in my life sorry

[kodiakblair]

On 10/10/2025 at 17:34, miku said:

Does anyone else here still own a riverhead unicorn?

I don't but I know a fellow Peavey owner over on Talkbass has a couple.

 

Oddly enough his forum name is "UnicornBass", can't believe I've known him for years and the penny has just dropped 🤣

[miku]

6 hours ago, Inga said:

never seen one in my life sorry

 

I suppose the name "unicorn" is fitting then lol

Edited 14 hours ago by miku

[miku]

52 minutes ago, kodiakblair said:

I don't but I know a fellow Peavey owner over on Talkbass has a couple.

 

Oddly enough his forum name is "UnicornBass", can't believe I've known him for years and the penny has just dropped 🤣

 

Haha I'll have to go over there and have a look if he's posted about them in the past, having more than one is pretty crazy though!

[pantherairsoft]

I don't think I've ever seen one of these before... but I really like it! Very cool. How does it sound?

[Paul S]

I had one for a brief period, moved it on to someone here who had been yearning for one for some years - maybe he'll chip in.  They are nice, more organic sounding than the Hohner B2 range.

[Bassassin]

2 hours ago, Paul S said:

I had one for a brief period, moved it on to someone here who had been yearning for one for some years - maybe he'll chip in.  They are nice, more organic sounding than the Hohner B2 range.

 

That'll be me!

 

Cool little thing - have wanted one since a much younger & poorer version of me saw one in the old Wapping Bass Centre back in 1980-something.

 

 

Its future may hold a refinish - the black's not original anyway, and I always fancied a pink one...

 

I'm also vaguely curious to find out if the wood/build's like this under the paint.

 

 

But I bet it's not.

 

I have read a bit (old MIJ basses/guitars are sort of my thing) about the background of Headway/Riverhead & it's likely the info on the current Headway/Deviser website is a pretty reliable overview.

 

https://www.deviser.co.jp/en/headway/about/history

 

Prog nerd factoid - Fairport Convention/Tull bassist Dave Pegg played one of these, & liked it so much he named a bass instrumental piece after it. And presumbaly it's the bass he's playing here:

 

https://youtu.be/iC_GmZzfq8M?si=lowA6MZInIv5wWKm

 

[tauzero]

The Burns Flyte has a very similar body, although it unfortunately isn't headless.

[miku]

2 hours ago, Bassassin said:

Its future may hold a refinish - the black's not original anyway, and I always fancied a pink one...

 

When I was originally looking for mine I was really keen for one of the salmon pink ones but they don't come up often in any colour so had to take what I could get haha

Would be really cool to find out whether yours was originally the two-tone natural underneath, or what finish it originally came in

 

2 hours ago, Bassassin said:

https://www.deviser.co.jp/en/headway/about/history

 

Actually really interesting that they did experience a fire, but prior to the launch of the riverhead. I suppose riverhead just fizzled out going into the 90s and bacchus was obviously more of a success still going to this day.

I've also always wondered if headway had any key for their serials, similar to fender where it's something you can get the date from if you understand how to read it. I presume not but I have thought about getting in contact with them to ask.

[miku]

6 hours ago, pantherairsoft said:

I don't think I've ever seen one of these before... but I really like it! Very cool. How does it sound?

 

Honestly in my case quite normal despite how it looks haha. I'd describe it as somewhat similar to a jazz tone but less growly and more light/airy, with really great clarity & articulation.

There are also two models above this one, the RUB-1095 which has a big humbucker in the bridge position and the RUB-1100 which is active with a 4 band EQ. I'll have to record a sound sample when I get around to it!

 

2 hours ago, tauzero said:

The Burns Flyte has a very similar body, although it unfortunately isn't headless.

 

It's really possible that it's what they modelled the design off as they were making a ton of other clone basses at the time too. I've always thought the body shape of both reminds me of a squid.