Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

From a syndicated show called The !!!! Beat, which had a brief run in 1966. Clarence led the house band, and here he's playing a 50s 345. Some great performances, this episode features Freddie King.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFf22WIFC0Y

Yes, these guitars were called "Capri" guitars back then. Um, the YouTube must have clicked over, because the link is to a different episode with Etta James. Yes, we all know Gatemouth more famously for his Telecaster, but he played many different guitars, including Firebirds and ES335's, among others. This Capri guitar would have had the slightly lesser wound toasters as did JL's first 325. But unlike earlier Capri guitars, this has the Ac'cent whammy instead of a Kauffman whammy. I couldn't tell if it is original or replacement, probably original, though well played, and I couldn't get a good look at the bridge, whether standard 6-saddle, or the earlier roller bridge for a Kauffman. I love the way the guitar cord is wrapped around and through the whammy! Oh, and to tie this together, another episode of The Beat has Ester Phillips singing "And I Love Her." Also of note: an early P-bass with the anodized pickguard and maple neck, so @1957-8; and an original "Mickey Mouse Ear" ES335, which the tone of the PAF's is unmistakable. We think of 335's in cherry, but the sunburst was as common. Later episodes the bass and guitar players have later edition instruments, with the P-bass having a rosewood fingerboard and the 335 having a Bigsby.

Here's the correct link: https://youtu.be/Fe7x_-vFzWw

Interesting playing style. Capo seems to be on 5th fret. On his "lead" parts, he appears to mute the low E and A strings with his thumb and plucks the upper strings with his fingers

He's moving that capo around from song to song. In episode 4 he gets to do a full song with lots of closeups of him playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB4P_gpC1aM

I love Brown's performance of "Have You Ever Been Mistreated." His playing style is mesmerizing. It also does my heart good to see a Rickenbacker heavily played with wear on the instrument.

Non-Rick comment: My father-in-law played that exact P-bass model back in the day ('58 had the maple neck, IIRC?)...unfortunately, some time in the 60s it got smashed up in a bar fight when a "phalanx of carnies" (his words) rushed the stage. I guess it wasn't ALL peace & love back then . Anyways, no instrument-inheritance for me unfortunately

I know the guy who owns one of Gatemouth's Capris today, it currently lives in Italy.

Not the one in that last clip, but a similar era Fireglo (I believe he owned a few of these guitars). It's really beat up and worn, and cool looking.


EDIT: Here's a picture of the guitar https://www.vintage-guitar.de/fullresol ... 75_en.html

Nice! Is the owner a forum member? I looked in the register and there's only one 345 Capri from 1960, but it was in way too good condition to have belonged to Gatemouth!

No, he isn’t on the RRF but he’s active on Facebook and Instagram.

No, he isn’t on the RRF but he’s active on Facebook and Instagram

Colin: It would be great if you get the chance to let the owner know that we would love his comments here about Clarence's guitar.