325c58 Conversion to '58 Spec
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:06 pm
Hey guys,
I wanted to share a project with you that's been underway for several months now. I've been converting my 325c58 to more closely reflect the original configuration of the 325 model.
My 325 is JG, which wasn't a color offered in '58, but I like to think that just makes it unique among the 325s you usually come across -- and I was able to save it from being "Lennonized!" One of my inspirations was a refinned black original '58 with serial number V91.
My project started when I traded my 1996 AFG reissue with a helpful forumite for a pretty much dead-mint JG 325c58. Here's the guitar as it arrived:
The c58 from the factory is already extremely accurate, but there are a few small details that can be easily (and not so easily) modified. The first step was to bend the Kauffman handle into a single, angled bend. This makes my guitar less like John Lennon's V81 and more representative of the rest of the first production run. I also sawed off the end of the arm to shorten it per vintage specs. I stuck on a vintage repro aged switch tip from a Les Paul.
The next step was to craft a two-control pickguard and figure out a wiring scheme. I was very lucky to have the assistance of the talented Jeff Levenson (aka FabGear), who was able to craft an accurate pickguard without the 5th screw and some Astron repro caps for the harness. He also sent along a double-laminated nut -- a very rare feature on those original guitars. Fortunately, the stock Ric nut is double-wide -- a nice touch.
The wiring scheme is a very special vintage scheme, and I'll let the people who helped me on this make themselves known if they so choose. I hope I got this wiring right but I'm pretty confident it does what it's supposed to do. Appropriately quirky tones from this setup. Interestingly, Rickenbacker used 1meg volume and 100k tone knobs on the first 325s.
Paired with the new wiring are pickups rewound by Glen Lambert. Glen does awesome work, as many here know -- the pups went from 4k to a vintage-correct 8k ohms each, and sound beautiful, with an airy, almost acoustic-sounding tone. As a bonus, the bridge pickup now totally nails that Lennon "All My Loving" sound.
The final addition was a Kauffman bracket from Winfield Vintage. While most people are familiar with the standard Trapeze bracket, the bracket used in the '50s was bigger, with asymmetrical holes and just a tad more clearance above the rim of the guitar. This gives the Kauffman a little bit more room to breathe, and none of its components touch or dig into the top. All of the original screw holes were covered up by the new plate. I would highly recommend this mod to anyone who is keeping the Kauffman on their c58!
I wanted to share a project with you that's been underway for several months now. I've been converting my 325c58 to more closely reflect the original configuration of the 325 model.
My 325 is JG, which wasn't a color offered in '58, but I like to think that just makes it unique among the 325s you usually come across -- and I was able to save it from being "Lennonized!" One of my inspirations was a refinned black original '58 with serial number V91.
My project started when I traded my 1996 AFG reissue with a helpful forumite for a pretty much dead-mint JG 325c58. Here's the guitar as it arrived:
The c58 from the factory is already extremely accurate, but there are a few small details that can be easily (and not so easily) modified. The first step was to bend the Kauffman handle into a single, angled bend. This makes my guitar less like John Lennon's V81 and more representative of the rest of the first production run. I also sawed off the end of the arm to shorten it per vintage specs. I stuck on a vintage repro aged switch tip from a Les Paul.
The next step was to craft a two-control pickguard and figure out a wiring scheme. I was very lucky to have the assistance of the talented Jeff Levenson (aka FabGear), who was able to craft an accurate pickguard without the 5th screw and some Astron repro caps for the harness. He also sent along a double-laminated nut -- a very rare feature on those original guitars. Fortunately, the stock Ric nut is double-wide -- a nice touch.
The wiring scheme is a very special vintage scheme, and I'll let the people who helped me on this make themselves known if they so choose. I hope I got this wiring right but I'm pretty confident it does what it's supposed to do. Appropriately quirky tones from this setup. Interestingly, Rickenbacker used 1meg volume and 100k tone knobs on the first 325s.
Paired with the new wiring are pickups rewound by Glen Lambert. Glen does awesome work, as many here know -- the pups went from 4k to a vintage-correct 8k ohms each, and sound beautiful, with an airy, almost acoustic-sounding tone. As a bonus, the bridge pickup now totally nails that Lennon "All My Loving" sound.
The final addition was a Kauffman bracket from Winfield Vintage. While most people are familiar with the standard Trapeze bracket, the bracket used in the '50s was bigger, with asymmetrical holes and just a tad more clearance above the rim of the guitar. This gives the Kauffman a little bit more room to breathe, and none of its components touch or dig into the top. All of the original screw holes were covered up by the new plate. I would highly recommend this mod to anyone who is keeping the Kauffman on their c58!
