The 325 Connection 1958

The 325 Connection

1958 325 Capri

The new short scale Capri featured delux fittings - 3 pickups and Kauffman vibrato. It was a 2" thick semi-hollow bodied guitar with a 3 way pickup selector switch, single tone, and a single volume control. The available finishes that year were Natural (Honey) and Autumnglo (Two-tone brown)

The first 325 Serial No. V80, was delivered to Radio-Tel on Jan 2nd 1958. A total of at least 28 325s ( including a few variations) were produced that year. A Natural finish 325 was featured at the '58 NAMM show and as a result, several were shipped to West Germany. Among them this same Natural finish solidtop, destined to become part of music history.

The 325 was not a commercial success and it would be nearly 6 years before any recognition occured. Perhaps in an effort to re-kindle interest in the model later that year the 325's still in inventory were returned to the factory to be retrofitted with additional tone and volume controls, making them 4 control guitars. It is thought that Lennon's guitar was amongst these modified units. This particular guitar was shipped to Framus Werke in Germany in October of 1958 but remained in stock somewhere until it was purchased by the young Beatle in 1960 at the Steinway Musikhaus, Hamburg. Modifications and a refinish soon followed, the rest is part of Rickenbacker lore.......enjoy.

This '58 325 is the only known example identical to Lennon's in every way, even the jackplate. It would certainly be from the same first production run. The currect owner fitted the bigsby.

Perhaps the twin of Lennon's guitar. Or it may be the same guitar before the addition of the non standard 5th plate screw. This 325* solidtop featured in the Feb '58 photo shoot at Rickenbacker.

A current photo of John Lennon's famous 1958 325 solidtop.The second production 325. It can be seen in original 2 knob format in the '58 NAMM show photos. Currently on display in Japan.

Quite likely the same 325* again, from the same photo shoot. This time the extended combo style jackplate is visible. According to records 8 natural finish models were made in 1958.

Another 325 Brownglo solidtop. The long jackplate is visible so it's definately an early production unit. Seems to be yet another photo from that early '58 shoot

This is the other half of the previous photo. This Brownglo 325* solidtop with 2 TV knobs features elswhere on this page

This photo also featured in the Feb '58 photos. It's presence amongst other variations may make this 325* Brownglo the first with a 2 o'clock 'f' shaped sound hole.

The other solidtop* that featured in the Feb '58 photo shoot with F C Hall was an Brownglo model with metal knobs. It's definitely an early one due to the solidtop configuaration. Serial number unknown.

A question of Soundholes?
Why were only the first few 1958 325's produced with a Solidtop? Well, to this day, many persons mistakenly view 325 V and C series re-issues as solid bodies because, quite simply, they look like it. Back in 1958 the perceived quality of the first guitars off the Capri line was very important, and the 'f' shaped soundhole could well have been introduced as a stylish verification that they were in fact, fully body routed, hollow bodied instruments. The full-scale Capri's are well known for their unique scimitar shaped soundhole. We now know that initial 325 production was quite fluid, producing variations such as the Polynesian, Longbody, and Solidtop.

Real '58 325 Capri's in private collections

A superb example of a '58 325. Perhaps this is the cleanest '58 325 in original two-tone finish. Still bears the Kauffman vibrato. Serial No. V106.

Originally two-tone brown, this '58 325 had already been refinished when the 2nd owner purchased it in '63. It has an early form of Bigsby tremelo and bridge. These were either custom factory mods or very early user mods. Serial No.V102

1958 325 in two-tone brown finish. The owner is currently the longest known continuous owner of a 325, having owned it since 1960. Serial No. V99 Click for Closeup

Originally in natural finish (headstock original)this '58 325 was refinished Jetglo in 2006. Serial No. V90

Here's an ultra rare natural honey finish solidtop model. The only natural alder finish solidtop 325 in original 2 control format. It was last known to be with a collector in the USA. It has a long combo jackplate - Serial No. V85

This original '58 Brownglo model has an interesting connection - it was previously owned (and signed) by Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. Perhaps relating to their Double Fantasy time with Lennon? Serial No. V100

This is the 325 body without hardware that was used as a reference for tooling up for the C series. It has the opening for a standard jackplate, but no serial number. I'm told by the owner that it's the same guitar as in the '58 factory photos - 2nd row, far right, this page.

Would you believe that this solidtop '58 325 was pulled from a dumpster? It's true! This one may be badly refinished red and have a replacement black pickguard, but it's the real deal, and aside from refin has all original hardware and wiring. Serial No. V86