Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a 1958 Capri 365, unplayed and mint, which was factory equipped with the Kaufmann Vibrola. However the vibrola arm is missing and I would be interested in replacing this part. Any suggestions?

Welcome, Bob. We all would like to see pics of that Capri! I think you can order a vintage vibrato through RIC if you wish to do so.

Hi Robert, welcome to the Forum..

Well, I would suggest watching ebay for a listing on a re-issue Kauffman assembly, there are plenty of people out there who are removing them for Bigsbys....BUT:

The arm used on the 325C58 may not be long enough for a 365; the original arms came in different lengths depending on model they were used on..this is a start, and at least you'll have an arm to put on the guitar....

Hey--tell us about your 365, post a pic or two if you can..

Thanks for your input. Rick Intl won't sell the Kaufmann parts, at least not yet, using all on hand for the reissue models. That was my first thought. I did see a complete assembly on EBAY, yanked from a 325 Lennon reissue but lacked adequate rigour du bid and missed it by a buck. Still waiting...
The guitar fairy came one day - a friend was aware that I loved Ricks (I've played them for 20 years and have played guitar for 40+)and met an elderly gent who had bought this Capri new in 1959 and put it in his closet, in its original case, and left it there. He sold it to my friend for a profit (it cost about $350 new and he sold it for $400). My friend then passed it on to me for $450. Everybody made out on that! It's one of about a dozen Ricks in my assortment.

Bob: There must be some Kaufmann parts that someone on the forum has after Lennonizing their 325C58. I am hoping they will see this before they consider eBay. Let's hope that there is an arm out there that will suit.

Bob, I believe that the Kaufmann arm from one of the 325 reissues will be too short for your Capri. not to mention that it has two bends in it from the factory. In addition, it is made from a very high-grade steel that is difficult to bend. I recently acquired Stan's spare arm and had to bend it to fit my application (a 381), and it took a woodworking vise and some heavy muscle to get it to budge. Lots of spring. It would be, however, fairly easy for a machine shop to make you a replica that you could then have chromed. It's a simple fabrication task involving one lathe-turning (about a half-hour's simple machine lathe work) for the knob and some hot-rolled steel bar stock of the proper diameter for the bar itself. Then silver-solder or braze the two pieces together, and it's off to the platers'. Since you got such a good deal on the guitar, a couple of hun' on the correct vibrato arm shouldn't be too bad.

Fabrication, certainly an option if necessary and I occasionally work with some of the best metal wizards. What to use as a template, though?
There's more magic to the Capri story: I initially acquired it in 1984 and then in 1986, strapped for cash, I sold it to a young friend who was hyped on REM, could play a little, but as I later learned, was hesitant to play this instrument - back to the closet. Seven years later, after having produced some highly acclaimed wine for my young friend's family business, they returned the instrument to me in thanks and it's back home. The appraisal value is staggering, though it's still missing an arm...

Well, Bob--there are lots of photos of arms and I'm sure a few of the folks on this site could come up with a sketch or two of the arms on their Capris. Any help here, should Bob decide to go this route?

Let me check the arm on my Capri ('58). If its longer than the arm on my C58, I'll email you. Bob, I've seen pics of your guitar, haven't I?

I haven't posted a photo yet, have been travelling...

Ah, Rickenbacker guitars and wine. Two of my favorite things.
http://www.robertfoleyvineyards.com/index.html

I see that you are going to be in NC this April, might have to drop by and say "hello".

"Bob, I've seen pics of your guitar, haven't I?"

I had you confused with Pat Foley who owns a F -Series guitar. Bob, I own a couple of '58 365s. Would love to know more about yours. Pics, finish, serial number, etc...........
Here are some pics of mine:
http://www.homestead.com/aurs/58365.html
http://www.homestead.com/aurs3/58365.html

Jwilli, I'm rescheduled to Maui instead of Charlotte in April...but we get to NC twice a year, so next time...and yes, Robert Foley, Pride, Switchback Ridge, Hourglass etc wines (I'm the winemaker) and guitars!! Wine, woman and song.

Maui in April, what a chore it must be..LOL!!

Kelly and I were recently married, this trip is the honeymoon with my kids, spring break...not work related!
I'll pull out my Capri shortly with serial number etc. It's sort of tobaccoburst in color, not a single scratch or blemmish on it, no pitting of the original frets. Aside from some salty oxidation on the vibrola spring, it looks brand new. The tonal contribution from the wood is amazing. My second eldest Rick is a '67 365, blonde, also a cool axe which plays like a dream.