John's 58 325

djskweeky · Post by **djskweeky** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:33 pm

Why does his guitar now have a white pickguard? I've read somewhere that someone stole it or he gave it to someone. Was it broken? Just one of those questions. Thanks

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:58 pm

Matt: This story has been told many times before. John had the guitar 'restored' shortly before his death. The 'restorer' made the white pickguard and kept the cracked original guard for himself. After stripping the black respray finish, he also changed the color of the guitar with his finish. As I understand it, the 'restorer' is/was a highly regarded luthier, but he botched this job completely, in my humble opinion. He probably just didn't know a thing about Rickenbackers. I'm sure John was pleased with the work, but the 'restorer' gets low marks from me.

britye · Post by **britye** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:03 pm

I thought is was return to original MG finish. are you saying it lighter or darker shade than when originally purchased in Hamburg? I think it would be difficult to duplicate it exactly as it was although gold pick guard should remain IMO

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:09 pm

It's a darker finish, more of a honey-like color then the original.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:23 pm

I agree... that white pickguard is simply horrible.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:01 am

Yep. Agreed 100%. The guitar as it exists now bears absolutely no relationship to the guitar John played at anytime in his career.

Except that it's the same guitar. Frustrating.

And then there are the "secret" replicas. Another story entirely.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:59 am

Does anyone have some pics? I haven't seen it in a while.

britye · Post by **britye** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:34 am

Tell the story Paul

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:54 am

Easier to say: Look at the thread "JOHN LENNON'S 325 RESTORATION--WHAT CAN WE LEARN? under my new Topic "Reflections of a Curmudgeon" on this Forum.

Go to the TOPICS page and scan to the bottom.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:25 pm

A photo of this guitar can be found in "Beatle Gear" on page 42.

On page 117 Ron De Marino explains how the guitar was refinished and modified. It appears the white pickguard was, in part, a decison made by John.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:56 pm

Please see the above-referenced thread for the current status of the controversy.

Although many more need to check in...

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:16 pm

It is kinda strange though that he had it refitted to the orginal paint job as though he wanted it like it was when he first got it. Then just forget about gold guard?
He might have put a gold one back on had he lived.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:40 pm

I'm not sure if I read it here or somewhere else, but I saw that John had the white pickguard put on because his 64 had a white pickguard. I don't know if that is correct or not but that's something I had read.