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Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:37 pm
by expatguitars
Sure, the Polynesian may not jibe in the context of the Combo 850 model, but I believe in this case the Combo 850 label is a misnomer. The internal routing is very similar to that utilized in earlier Combo 600/800s, and the thin ply back is in keeping with the Capri series that followed, so as a transition between the two I believe the Polynesian's construction does make contextual sense.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:31 pm
by Ontario_RIC_fan
expatguitars wrote:Thanks for chiming in, John! Great to hear from you.
Although the bodies may share superficial similarities, I believe the Polynesian and your Combo 850 are critically different animals. The Polynesian is indeed hollow (or semi-hollow if you want to pick nits) as the entire lower bout is hogged out from tail to neck block, and covered with a thin ply. It weighs in at 2.65kg. There is indeed a jack plate (which includes a brad and curiouser a second in the body) but alas no serial number.
I would love to see some more pics of the inside / sides / angles of the guitar if you are able! It is certainly a very rare Rickenbacker!!
Thanks for sharing info on it. May you find a buyer for it soon.
Shall we put it into the register as C7 poly??
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:13 am
by expatguitars
Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:I would love to see some more pics of the inside / sides / angles of the guitar if you are able!
Go nuts!
http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x42 ... =slideshow
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:59 am
by lewilson
When did they start using Kluson tuners? seems like a guitar that early should have Grover tuners?
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:14 am
by paologregorio
I think the Polynesian looks better; I love the Combo 850 body, but the headstock is rather clunky looking, IMO.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:13 am
by egosheep
Wow... just proves you can never learn everything there is to know about vintage Rickenbackers! That is breathtaking. Especially the back, being 2/3 semiollow and the way the back covers the neck tenon.
That's one of the coolest details I've ever seen.
Adam, thanks for sharing so many photos with us, even though most will never be able to afford something of this caliber. Wish I had your job!!
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:48 am
by libratune
lewilson wrote:When did they start using Kluson tuners? seems like a guitar that early should have Grover tuners?
Klusons were used on Combos starting in 1954.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:37 am
by leftybass
One thing I think that is worth mentioning too is that the guitar was originally built with two pickups, and the middle pickup was added later and almost certainly at the factory........
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:06 am
by lewilson
I don't know, The combo 850s are pretty cool looking, and the scale length is nice too
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:49 am
by expatguitars
leftybass wrote:One thing I think that is worth mentioning too is that the guitar was originally built with two pickups, and the middle pickup was added later and almost certainly at the factory........
I believe the Kauffman too was a factory afterthought as there are a couple plugged screw holes from what one would assume was once a trapeze tailpiece.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:20 am
by johnhall
After looking at these photos, I'd say that this guitar was an experiment, replacing the typical flocked metal or plastic back as seen on other 600 & 800 series guitars of the era with one made of wood. I can't remember seeing others made this way. It certainly matches the earlier body profile, like mine, so I would venture that this started out as a standard body.
No doubt I have the records of this somewhere in the files.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:31 pm
by 8mileshigh
Fascinating.
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:49 pm
by glen_l
Yes indeed, It's fascinating! Thanks for your input here John. It's appreciated.
Richard Smith made mention of a one off guitar, that he called the very first 325, delivered to Radio Tel on 2nd January 1958. Nothing more is said about it, but it predates the delivery of the first batch of six 325's by a month.
I wonder......
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:01 pm
by leftybass
glen_l wrote:Yes indeed, It's fascinating! Thanks for your input here John. It's appreciated.
Richard Smith made mention of a one off guitar, that he called the very first 325, delivered to Radio Tel on 2nd January 1958. Nothing more is said about it, but it predates the delivery of the first batch of six 325's by a month.
I wonder......
+1....
Re: 1958 Polynesian 325/Combo on gbase
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:43 pm
by ken_j
krick and I were discussing the Polynesian today as we were thumbing through the Rittor book (pg.160) today just prior to our Rickenlunch. I came back this afternoon to find this thread.