I have long been a fan of Rickenbackers, but for some reason I really really like the 3/4 Capri models from the late 50's. When the 325C58 was released in 2001-2002, I thought it'd be great to have one someday....It was probably as close as I'd get to owning something made like the guitars from that era, especially the 325s from 1958. We all know how rare they are.
I was also lucky enough to take part in the Guitar Center blow-out sale of their remaining C58 inventory, so I snagged one (an '03) for $799, it was a little shop-worn but what the hell. I had one.
As time went by I wanted to take the guitar to the next step. Since everyone was 'Lennonizing' their guitars I wanted to do something different, and unique to what my tastes in Ricks were.
The first mods were relatively easy; The wiring was changed to the original 2-knob specification loom made by Glen Lambert and new pickguard cut for the guitar to accomodate the loom, and the 5th 'guard screw was also eliminated at this time. I also installed a set of real Grover Sta-Tite tuners and found a set of original metal Rickenbacker knobs from the late '50s, like many of the 325s of they had on them. At least it looked pretty cool and functioned like an original '58 325. I even found an original '50s case for it that is correct for the guitar. Most of you have seen the pic that follows.....
I was relative happy with the guitar in this state, but after some soul-searching I decided to go even further with it and put an authentic finish on the guitar, nitro-lacquer...just like the '58s had. There were other details that needed to be added to it as well, such as the 1/8" beveled edge that exist on many Capri models from the era...this was something that RIC left off of the C58, but I wanted to apply it to mine.
This is when I enlisted the help of Winfield Vintage, who many of you know has a selection of fine replacement parts for older Rickenbackers....he also does refinishing work too! I proposed doing the added body detailing and finishing of the guitar to Two-Tone Brown nitro. I had seen some of the work that was done by him and was very impressed...so I thought I'd give WV a try. Others such as Dale and Paul are very very talented as well, and are very busy because of this--- but I figured it would take a while to get the project underway, so I agreed to use WV.....so we were underway.
We looked at many different late 50's finishes that were TTB or Autumnglo and decided on the color that you see on the guitar today, a good blend of what is represented in the original finishes which vary on each guitar. The top edge was beveled and the guitar was sprayed in nitrocellulose lacquer. A bridgeplate was made for the guitar out of aluminum stock to replicate the originals of 1958. The sides of the nut are also lacquered as the originals were.
And, here it is. The are some small details left to cover, such as slightly deepening the pickup mold-ring impressions, a different Kauffman arm and some detail work to the pickup wiring (the guitar will be as authentic inside AND outside)......
Acoustically, the guitar has MOJO, the classic sound. I'll tell you it is a different guitar now with the new finish on it. It seems to resonate more.
Much thanks goes to Winfield Vintage. I really like the end result.
Others who helped get it to this point are my pals Glen Lambert, Jeff Levenson (my amber switch tip--thanks Jeff), John Williams for advice and learned eye, David McLaughlin for his years of collecting knowledge and Larry Wassgren, who has brought much of what he learned about all of these older Rickenbackers to all of us. I mean, he's owned about 1/2 of what they made back then, LOL.....I doubt anyone will ever have the opportunity again that Larry had for all those years of looking for 3/4 Capris.
Love that gorgeous finish.
