Apparently this ****** little resto project, which I bought on a lark because it was sooo ugly and disproportionate, is identical to the one played at one time by Hank Marvin (pre-Strat), Johnny Guitar, and--yes--Ringo Starr. (Check out the picture on John's site if you think I'm kidding!)
OK, John Lennon removed the Kauffman from his first 325 and replaced it with a Bigsby B5. What happened to the Kauffman? Why, it was given/sold to Johnny guitar, who installed it on his Guyatone, in place of the stamped metal "banjo" type tailpiece that originally came with the guitar.
Here's a shot of Hank and Cliff Richard's backup group, The Drifters, at Abbey Road Studios. Note the guitar that Hank is playing. Yeah, I know, odd.
Next, a later shot of Hank with the Shadows, post-Cliff Richard:
Finally, Ringo playing the Guyatone, borrowed from Johnny Guitar for the evening. This is the guitar that later got JL's Kauffman:
Now I feel motivated to actually complete the resto of the Guyatone. I managed to pick up. not one, but two complete NOS pickguard assemblies for this guitar, complete with all electronics, including the odd 1/8" output jack. Both were still wrapped in tabloid newspaper from February 1964! Also note (most obvious in the center picture) the Hofner knobs for volume and tone.
So, a bit of veneering to replace that which the last owner sanded off, removal of the fretboard to install a proper truss rod, and a good refin and we may end up with something playable, yet. Wish me luck!
