Anyone know the history of this Capri?

[iamltjbukem]

Howdy Howdy!

Greetings from Toronto!

My incredible wife surprised me on my Birthday with a 1958 335 Capri!!!!

Serial number 2V159

I know it is in the Register and was in the UK but now it is just north of Toronto...

I have changed out the Kauffman for an Accent...

I did reach out to a previous owner on Facebook but have not heard back (maybe you'll answer here?) I can't find any info on what this might be...early '58? The triple dot inlay throws me off the trail pretty quick!

Just curious if anyone has any info on it.....

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[scott_s]

That fingerboard is wild! Wonder if it was replaced at some point while in the UK, perhaps during the refin. Seems like a 1960s British guitar maker thing to add all those extra dots.

Very cool instrument.

[iamltjbukem]

I have seen online other early ones with the same inlays...maybe a prototype?

[sloop_john_b]

Well that is extremely cool. Congrats!

[collin]

Wow! Helluva gift, your wife is the greatest.

Don't know the history on that particular one, but it's a stunner.

[libratune]

Your Capri was likely made in the 2nd half of 1958, judging by the serial number and the three dots on the fretboard at the 12th fret.

Also relevant for dating is the length of the soundhole, which is "intermediate" length. Later in 1958 a shorter soundhole was introduced and continued throughout the Capri period.

The "V" in the SN indicates it was likely fitted with a Kauffman vibrato when it left the factory.

I've attached a photo of a model 345 made earlier in 1958, SN 3V121, with the initial "elongated" soundhole. Notice it also has the three dots at the 12th fret.

Hope this helps.

[iamltjbukem]

Thanks for the info!

I can't believe how great this sounds and plays! I have had lots of Rickenbacker's and this one blows the rest away!

I am planning on restoring it to its original color (if I can find out what it was) and getting a proper case for it as the original is pretty useless for keeping it safe.

Yes it did come with a Kauffman....see attached pic....

[iamltjbukem]

I found this pic online of what appears to be the same guitar

[Tommy]

Damn, that's some guitar. That's some gift.

I am the envy of my area because I once had a girlfriend buy me a Stratocaster. But a '58 Capri? Wow. I'm going to call my old girlfriend and yell at her. "A Stratocaster? That's all I am worth?"