1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri Vintage Prototype Guitar - 1 of 6 Ever Made - Exactly Like John Lennon's
New Price$39,900
Free Shipping
This piece of gear has sold
View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb
Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again.
Listed:5 years ago
Views:28844
Watchers:165
Offers:8
Los Angeles, CA, United States
For sale is this vintage Rickenbacker 325 Capri solid top early prototype model, exactly like John Lennon’s historic model that he used from The Beatles' inception in Hamburg circa 1962, to the famous Cavern gigs in Liverpool, on the Ed Sullivan Show in front of 100 million viewers, to it's last public appearance at Carnegie Hall. Arguably his favorite guitar, it's the one he used up until the night of his death in 1980. There may not be a more iconic instrument from the 20th century, and only 6 were ever made.
Hailed as the holy grail of electric guitars by most collectors, the 1958 Rickenbacker solid top 325 is certainly one of the rarest instruments ever made.
Rickenbacker only made a total of SIX Capri solid top 325 (5/8 scale, hollow-body electric guitars: all of which were in a singular batch [serial number V81 (Lennon's) through V86 (this one)] produced in early 1958. The 1958 solid top 325 Capri sports a 2" thick unlike all other 325 guitars from all other years. And of the 6 solid tops ever made, 1 has never been found, 1 was reported lost/stolen, with only 4 of the 6 having been considered to be in circulation.
Serial numbers V81 - V82 - V83 - V86
1958 Rickenbacker 325 Solid Top by Serial numbers V81 - V86
V81 - Considered priceless John Lennon's 325 is now on display in Japan and owned by Yoko Ono & Sean Lennon
V82 - is owned by the Beatles Gear Museum
V83 - is owned by a private family estate
V84 - Unknown
V85 - Lost/Stolen
V86 - Is this guitar within this listing, V-86 was the last one made and is the bookend to John Lennon's 325 and the only 1958 325 with exact Lennon Hamburg Specs, how John Lennon's looked when he first purchased it.
The original invoice pictured is from 7th February 1958 from Rickenbacker’s archive showing John Lennon's V-81 and V-86 mentioned on the same invoice.
John Lennon and V-81
John Lennon's original Rickenbacker 325 was always his favorite guitar and he used it from the Beatles' infancy and total obscurity in Hamburg, to the Cavern, to the Ed Sullivan show in front of 100 million tv viewer's where it became a virtual extension of his stage persona, to Carnegie Hall, and is ultimately considered as the most important Beatles instrument. John would say it was his most prized possession, and again use it on the day before his death in 1980 recording Walking On Thin Ice, and this was confirmed by Yoko Ono.
1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri (5/8 scale, hollow-body electric). Serial
No. V81: The Holy Grail of guitars. Lennon bought this "short arm"
guitar, with a natural Mapleglo finish, gold pick guard and Kaufmann vibrato, on the Beatles' first trip to Hamburg, after he saw jazzman "Toots" Thielmans playing a Ric model on an album cover. Later in 1960, in Hessy's Music, Chris Huston of The Undertakers mounted a Bigsby B-5 vibrato and "bowtie" bridge (for more on this operation, click here). At the same time they replaced the "oven" knobs with new ones from Curry Electronics.
Somewhere along the line, Lennon disconnected the middle pickup, and in September '62 had it painted black. In his well researched piece Baby's In Black, Peter McCormack tracked the job to a subcontractor, Mr. Derek Adams, and suggests the refinishing was part of Brian Epstein's effort to spruce up the band's look. But another source credits the refinish to coach painter Charles Bantam, who reportedly sprayed the Rickenbacker with black coach paint while the band took a brief holiday. Later inspection led Ron DeMarino (below) to speculate the finish had been brushed on! So perhaps we'll sort out this point in time. At any rate, in '63 Lennon changed the knobs again when he had some electrical work done by Burns of London.
Lennon played this guitar onstage and in the studio right through to the
first Sullivan show (below) and the Carnegie Hall shows (2/12/64), then,
except for a bit of work on Beatles For Sale, retired the beat-up workhorse. In 1972 he had it restored to its natural finish by Ron DeMarino of New York, who also replaced the tuners and cracked pickguard. (Read DeMarino's account here.) This guitar made its final appearance during the Double Fantasy sessions, as producer Jack Douglas and Yoko Ono both confirm seeing it in the studio. There is also confirmation that Lennon used this guitar on Yoko's "Walking On Thin Ice" in December 1980, the last piece of music to which Lennon contributed.
Regardless, as guitar aficionado Frank McLallen wrote: "That guitar . . . from Hamburg to the Plaza in New York City, and a national broadcast on the Ed Sullivan Show -- doesn't get any
better." This priceless instrument, recently displayed at the Lennon museum in Japan, is now owned by Sean Lennon.
John Lennon finds his prized Rickenbacker 1958 325 in Germany
One of the most famous guitars in rock music history has been John Lennon’s 1958 Model 325 Rickenbacker Capri (Serial Number “V81”) in natural finish. Purchased at Steinway’s in Hamburg, Germany in 1960, this guitar quickly became an Icon for the British Invasion. American guitars were highly sought after by British musicians during the late 1950s and early 1960s as young aspiring guitarists from the UK emulated American Rock and Roll with a passion that would create British Rock. John Lennon was not exempt from this fever and acquiring an guitar made in America would be a dream come true. Lennon stumbled upon the 1958 Model 325 by chance, but it would be this opportunistic moment during a Hamburg trip in the autumn of 1960 that would forever link Rickenbacker instruments with the BritishInvasion.
The first guitar John used in the studio in 1962 was his 1958 325 and sadly it was the last guitar he used in the studio before his death on walking on thin ice in Dec 1980, V81 was there at the start of his career until the very end.
V-86 History
V-86 Was discovered in Alaska many years ago by Martin G Severin, Martin Sevevin kept the guitar for a period of time until he contacted the 325 connection a group of 325 enthusiasts managed by Glen Lambert.
Glen Lambert the person who runs the 325 connection contacted JW (full name given along with history file) who is considered to be a world authority on vintage Rickenbacker 325 guitars, JW was also a consultant for John Hall the CEO of Rickenbacker on developing the 325 C series reissue guitars for Rickenbacker so his knowledge is unparalleled.
JW also owned V-83 at that time before it was sold to a private collector, This was listed on Reverb for $120,000 and was brokered by Drew Berlin of Guitar Center's Burst Brothers fame.
JW then negotiated to purchase the guitar and in 2009 took possession of V-86. JW then went on to have some expert restoration on the finish as the guitar had been repainted as was Lennon's V81, the guitar has now been expertly been finished in natural finish just like John Lennon’s. The guitar also had a detailed set up of the guitar so it would play perfectly. The parts that are also original to the guitar include its original pick ups, original truss rod cover, original Sta Rite tuners, original TV knobs, original pots etc., as well as original hard case, with original vintage case tag ephemera, original 1958 brochure, 1958 Rickenbacker price list, box of Rickenbacker original strings, original vintage pick, original lead, original Selmer strap exactly like John Lennon's from the same period.
The previous owner then apparently spent the next 5 years negotiating with JW to purchase V-86.
The guitar comes with an extensive history file and its authenticity is unquestionable with extensive documentation and approval from the worlds foremost experts on Vintage Rickenbacker 325 models.
The 2 other remaining 1958 solid top 325 guitars, apart from John Lennon’s V81 both sold;
V82 sold for approximately $70,000.00 quite a few years ago, it has an added Bigsby B5 and non original serial plate.
V83 was listed and sold on Reverb in 2017 for around $120,000.00 with 2 knob standard configuration.
This is undoubtedly the last opportunity to buy an exact John Lennon style 325.
Hailed as the holy grail of electric guitars by most collectors, the 1958 Rickenbacker solid top 325 is certainly one of the rarest instruments ever made.
Rickenbacker only made a total of SIX Capri solid top 325 (5/8 scale, hollow-body electric guitars: all of which were in a singular batch [serial number V81 (Lennon's) through V86 (this one)] produced in early 1958. The 1958 solid top 325 Capri sports a 2" thick unlike all other 325 guitars from all other years. And of the 6 solid tops ever made, 1 has never been found, 1 was reported lost/stolen, with only 4 of the 6 having been considered to be in circulation.
Serial numbers V81 - V82 - V83 - V86
1958 Rickenbacker 325 Solid Top by Serial numbers V81 - V86
V81 - Considered priceless John Lennon's 325 is now on display in Japan and owned by Yoko Ono & Sean Lennon
V82 - is owned by the Beatles Gear Museum
V83 - is owned by a private family estate
V84 - Unknown
V85 - Lost/Stolen
V86 - Is this guitar within this listing, V-86 was the last one made and is the bookend to John Lennon's 325 and the only 1958 325 with exact Lennon Hamburg Specs, how John Lennon's looked when he first purchased it.
The original invoice pictured is from 7th February 1958 from Rickenbacker’s archive showing John Lennon's V-81 and V-86 mentioned on the same invoice.
John Lennon and V-81
John Lennon's original Rickenbacker 325 was always his favorite guitar and he used it from the Beatles' infancy and total obscurity in Hamburg, to the Cavern, to the Ed Sullivan show in front of 100 million tv viewer's where it became a virtual extension of his stage persona, to Carnegie Hall, and is ultimately considered as the most important Beatles instrument. John would say it was his most prized possession, and again use it on the day before his death in 1980 recording Walking On Thin Ice, and this was confirmed by Yoko Ono.
1958 Rickenbacker 325 Capri (5/8 scale, hollow-body electric). Serial
No. V81: The Holy Grail of guitars. Lennon bought this "short arm"
guitar, with a natural Mapleglo finish, gold pick guard and Kaufmann vibrato, on the Beatles' first trip to Hamburg, after he saw jazzman "Toots" Thielmans playing a Ric model on an album cover. Later in 1960, in Hessy's Music, Chris Huston of The Undertakers mounted a Bigsby B-5 vibrato and "bowtie" bridge (for more on this operation, click here). At the same time they replaced the "oven" knobs with new ones from Curry Electronics.
Somewhere along the line, Lennon disconnected the middle pickup, and in September '62 had it painted black. In his well researched piece Baby's In Black, Peter McCormack tracked the job to a subcontractor, Mr. Derek Adams, and suggests the refinishing was part of Brian Epstein's effort to spruce up the band's look. But another source credits the refinish to coach painter Charles Bantam, who reportedly sprayed the Rickenbacker with black coach paint while the band took a brief holiday. Later inspection led Ron DeMarino (below) to speculate the finish had been brushed on! So perhaps we'll sort out this point in time. At any rate, in '63 Lennon changed the knobs again when he had some electrical work done by Burns of London.
Lennon played this guitar onstage and in the studio right through to the
first Sullivan show (below) and the Carnegie Hall shows (2/12/64), then,
except for a bit of work on Beatles For Sale, retired the beat-up workhorse. In 1972 he had it restored to its natural finish by Ron DeMarino of New York, who also replaced the tuners and cracked pickguard. (Read DeMarino's account here.) This guitar made its final appearance during the Double Fantasy sessions, as producer Jack Douglas and Yoko Ono both confirm seeing it in the studio. There is also confirmation that Lennon used this guitar on Yoko's "Walking On Thin Ice" in December 1980, the last piece of music to which Lennon contributed.
Regardless, as guitar aficionado Frank McLallen wrote: "That guitar . . . from Hamburg to the Plaza in New York City, and a national broadcast on the Ed Sullivan Show -- doesn't get any
better." This priceless instrument, recently displayed at the Lennon museum in Japan, is now owned by Sean Lennon.
John Lennon finds his prized Rickenbacker 1958 325 in Germany
One of the most famous guitars in rock music history has been John Lennon’s 1958 Model 325 Rickenbacker Capri (Serial Number “V81”) in natural finish. Purchased at Steinway’s in Hamburg, Germany in 1960, this guitar quickly became an Icon for the British Invasion. American guitars were highly sought after by British musicians during the late 1950s and early 1960s as young aspiring guitarists from the UK emulated American Rock and Roll with a passion that would create British Rock. John Lennon was not exempt from this fever and acquiring an guitar made in America would be a dream come true. Lennon stumbled upon the 1958 Model 325 by chance, but it would be this opportunistic moment during a Hamburg trip in the autumn of 1960 that would forever link Rickenbacker instruments with the BritishInvasion.
The first guitar John used in the studio in 1962 was his 1958 325 and sadly it was the last guitar he used in the studio before his death on walking on thin ice in Dec 1980, V81 was there at the start of his career until the very end.
V-86 History
V-86 Was discovered in Alaska many years ago by Martin G Severin, Martin Sevevin kept the guitar for a period of time until he contacted the 325 connection a group of 325 enthusiasts managed by Glen Lambert.
Glen Lambert the person who runs the 325 connection contacted JW (full name given along with history file) who is considered to be a world authority on vintage Rickenbacker 325 guitars, JW was also a consultant for John Hall the CEO of Rickenbacker on developing the 325 C series reissue guitars for Rickenbacker so his knowledge is unparalleled.
JW also owned V-83 at that time before it was sold to a private collector, This was listed on Reverb for $120,000 and was brokered by Drew Berlin of Guitar Center's Burst Brothers fame.
JW then negotiated to purchase the guitar and in 2009 took possession of V-86. JW then went on to have some expert restoration on the finish as the guitar had been repainted as was Lennon's V81, the guitar has now been expertly been finished in natural finish just like John Lennon’s. The guitar also had a detailed set up of the guitar so it would play perfectly. The parts that are also original to the guitar include its original pick ups, original truss rod cover, original Sta Rite tuners, original TV knobs, original pots etc., as well as original hard case, with original vintage case tag ephemera, original 1958 brochure, 1958 Rickenbacker price list, box of Rickenbacker original strings, original vintage pick, original lead, original Selmer strap exactly like John Lennon's from the same period.
The previous owner then apparently spent the next 5 years negotiating with JW to purchase V-86.
The guitar comes with an extensive history file and its authenticity is unquestionable with extensive documentation and approval from the worlds foremost experts on Vintage Rickenbacker 325 models.
The 2 other remaining 1958 solid top 325 guitars, apart from John Lennon’s V81 both sold;
V82 sold for approximately $70,000.00 quite a few years ago, it has an added Bigsby B5 and non original serial plate.
V83 was listed and sold on Reverb in 2017 for around $120,000.00 with 2 knob standard configuration.
This is undoubtedly the last opportunity to buy an exact John Lennon style 325.
| Listed | 5 years ago |
| Condition | Very Good (Used) Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more |
| Brand | |
| Model |
|
| Finish |
|
| Categories | |
| Year |
|
| Made In |
|
| Body Type |
|
