The Holy Grail...

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:06 pm

Well, if you want to own one, here,s one of a very few....but the entry fee is expensive....http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=3742317583&rd=1

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:40 pm

very pretty. thank you for sharing.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:58 pm

Thanks for posting this Andrew. I moved this from the guitars topic as I thought it would be better placed under Rickenbacker Vintage 325 Models. Let's look at this in some detail seeing as the owner is asking $24,500 US.

There are a couple of questions that I would like to ask about this model.

To begin, I am worried about the Bigsby used, as in 1958 a B3 would not be the Bigsby of choice, but rather a B5. The angle at which the strings meet the bridge is to flat with the B3.

Moreover, a refinish after such a short period (1963) is a bit surprising. Yes I remember Lennon's refinishing in 1962, I am just wondering why this very clean guitar (hardware) needed one. Was this originally a natural or fireglo finish?

Lastly, is the missing screw on the pickguard, one on the bridge and a cracked guard a little to convenient? Perhaps this is completely original (refinish excepted), but if you were selling a clean guitar would you have found a couple of screws?

Perhaps I am making a mountain out of a mole-hill here. Call me too inquisitive, however, $24.5K is on the high side unless it comes with a famous owner.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 1:54 am

Peter, being what it is(a real '58 325), most of these things would seem inconsequential IMHO if someone was thinking of pulling the trigger and buying it. They just don't show up very often...most buyers looking at it seriously will know undoubtedly what it is and what's been done to it, and make their decision based upon what they see. The asking price sort of falls into this catagory too; there isn't a 'market' to speak of to gauge a value for it, so if it sells then the buyer sure thought it was worth that.

I doubt if this guitar left Electro-String with a Bigsby on it, it probably had the Kauffman...the guitar still has the Rickenbacker bridge plate, so the B3 may have made it on the guitar early on, but I wonder how long this guitar stayed in a store once it left the factory?? Yes, it would pretty much have to be two-tone brown or natural alder.

What I find just as interesting about this guitar is the case that comes with it, which is a Rickenbacker deluxe case with added reinforcements and an accy. pocket; I recently saw one with a 1957 Combo 450.

Depending upon your nerve, the guitar could probably be restored back to factory spec with little or no effect on the value of the guitar, if that's what one wanted to do....it is what it is.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 3:19 am

Excellent points Lefty. A brown finish is also likely, I agree. Thanks for your discussion of this case. Let's see if it fetches 24K.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 4:32 am

I will add that the Bigsby is mounted quite cleanly on the guitar.... If it is a factory-mounted vibrato, then it may the first-ever Rickenbacker guitar to have one. Rickenbacker had their own stuff if someone wanted a vibrato, but it could be possible the Bigsby was factory installed...

wints · Post by **wints** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 7:14 am

Peter, thanks for moving this thread..Of course this is a far more appropriate place for such a guitar. John, everything fine here in P.A.G. Florida. The four string boys are back safe...So, do you think people won,t bid because it,s not original John???

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 8:03 am

I have a question on this guitar. The serial number is V102, From what I understand the first number following the letter is suppose to indicate last number for the year of production. If this is true, how could it have a 1 instead of an 8? I also undertand Ric discontinued this form of serial numbering after 1960, which makes the number more confusing. Any answers?

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 10:48 am

The hollow guitars are numbered in sequence- with nothing to note the year- but if you know where they start and where they end, you can get a good idea of the manufacture date (+ the guitar's features).

For some reason, Rickenbacker used different serial number schemes for different models.

I believe for the hollows, the short scales started at 80 (V80- though Mr. Hall aparently has one with an earlier serial number), and the full scales started at 100 (2T100)- this is based on what's been seen, not on any official documentation. The serial numbers are not shared between the short and full scales- I've got 2V103 & it was invoiced with 101 & 102, which were full scales- yet this auction has V102, which is a 325.

Confused?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 10:58 am

Thanks, Anthony. After further investigation I found enough info repeating what you wrote in your thread. All of those older serial numbers are damn confusing.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:13 pm

I wish Joe had put this on eBay with an auction option. It's always exciting to watch the last minute frenzy on rarities like this!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:31 pm

I am watching with great interest and have pondered over the photos for the last few days. It is a rarity and I hope it fetches a handsome price. I just can't see it going for the current BIN price.

beatlesgear · Post by **beatlesgear** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:52 am

http://www.voxtalks.com/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowPost&Category=&Board=VT18&Post=1515

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:46 am

Thanks Nick. It is interesting to see other comments about this Model 325.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:52 am

One bid will get it, the opening bid will be the BIN price.