Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Tuck Hersey has kindly agreed to provide a translation of the Japanese text announcing the new John Lennon Museum in Japan. You may see this at John Lennon Museum

The John Lennon Museum opened on October 9, 2000 which would have been John's 60th birthday. Also on the Rickenbacker Registration Page you may see closeups of his first two Rickenbackers.

These are the guitars in the exhibit at the John Lennon Museum:

1958 Rickenbacker 325
1964 Rickenbacker 325
1965 Epiphone Casino
GibsonLes Paul Jr.
Yamaha "Dragon" acoustic
Ovation Electric Legend 1651-4
Framus Banjo

plus:
White "Imagine" piano
Gallotone Champion (replica)
"Bed-in" J-160E (replica)

Tuck: Would you please comment on the condition of the 1965 Epiphone Casino?

Well, I haven't been able to visit the museum yet but my "correspondents" have given me the info above. I'm going there in November and I'll let you know what I find. Meanwhile I hope you'll enjoy the photos below. Click on the pics for a larger view. They're both from a book called "The Beatles Guitar File" written by Naoki Ogane, the luthier/repairer for WITH.

These comments were made by Tuck Hersey who recently visited the John Lennon Museum. "I went to the John Lennon Museum today (November 4, 2000) and checked out the 325's and Casino. Unfortunately no one is allowed to take photos inside the museum but everything is in my mind.

The '58 325 has a 2-inch thick body. The fretboard is unfinished and the headstock has round bushings, the tuners themselves looked
original to me, though. The frets seem to be original. The edge of the body is "rounded" probably from too much sanding. Oh and I
"reconfirmed" the serial # is 'V81'."

The tuners are exact replacement Grover sta-tites.
Ron DeMarino replaced these as he thought the originals were worn. John gave him the original
tuners which Ron still has. At this time, Ron
replaced the original hex bushings with round
bushings. The '58 325 originally came with hex
bushings and it would be great if someone would
get those back on the guitar, also I wish Ron would give the original pickgaurd back as the white one looks totally wrong on that guitar.

Here is a closeup of the jackplate of Lennon's 1958 Model 325 Capri.

Great shot Peter, thanks for posting that one.
It almost looks as though the jackplate is made of
aluminum, but I would imagine the chrome plating
is pretty worn by this time.

Yes it is worn but the photo suffers from enlargement and is certainly on the grainy side. Interesting, nonetheless.