Raised pickguard on Lennon's 325?
Posted: Mon May 07, 2001 4:51 am
Hello to all in this great forum!
My name is Nick - and I've been wondering about this:
In discussions concerning the conversion of a Mapleglo 325 to a "Lennon" 325, the raising of the pickguard on rubber grommets is always mentioned. Jim Huff certainly did this on his exquisite 325 conversion, which can be seen here:
http://www.rickbeat.com/gallery/jimhuff/jimhuff.htm
My question is, how do we truly know that Lennon's guitar was like this? Is there a clear and indisputable picture of it?
It seems to me a very strange way to mount the pickguard. I tried this on my own 325. The reasons I think it's a bit unlikely are:
It leaves a considerable gap between the pickguard and body, through which you can see the wiring and controls. This seems to me esthetically strange for a company so concerned with finish, like Rickenbacker, to do.
It would allow all sorts of dust, liquids, dirt and other ****, even insects! to get inside the guitar. Another thing which I feel Rickenbacker would not be likely to do.
On the other hand, maybe this is why, when Ron DeMarino opened up Lennon's guitar, he found everything so corroded. And maybe this is why Lennon's pickguard was cracked, because if it was mounted off the body, then it would be more likely to crack if he banged it into something, than if it was seated flat on the body.
We can no longer really tell WHAT John's guitar was like since Ron DeMarino did his restoration; he changed it so much, especially the pickguard, which is now, I believe, mounted flat on the body.
Anyone have any thoughts about this?
Regards to all
My name is Nick - and I've been wondering about this:
In discussions concerning the conversion of a Mapleglo 325 to a "Lennon" 325, the raising of the pickguard on rubber grommets is always mentioned. Jim Huff certainly did this on his exquisite 325 conversion, which can be seen here:
http://www.rickbeat.com/gallery/jimhuff/jimhuff.htm
My question is, how do we truly know that Lennon's guitar was like this? Is there a clear and indisputable picture of it?
It seems to me a very strange way to mount the pickguard. I tried this on my own 325. The reasons I think it's a bit unlikely are:
It leaves a considerable gap between the pickguard and body, through which you can see the wiring and controls. This seems to me esthetically strange for a company so concerned with finish, like Rickenbacker, to do.
It would allow all sorts of dust, liquids, dirt and other ****, even insects! to get inside the guitar. Another thing which I feel Rickenbacker would not be likely to do.
On the other hand, maybe this is why, when Ron DeMarino opened up Lennon's guitar, he found everything so corroded. And maybe this is why Lennon's pickguard was cracked, because if it was mounted off the body, then it would be more likely to crack if he banged it into something, than if it was seated flat on the body.
We can no longer really tell WHAT John's guitar was like since Ron DeMarino did his restoration; he changed it so much, especially the pickguard, which is now, I believe, mounted flat on the body.
Anyone have any thoughts about this?
Regards to all