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The 325 Connection |
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Transitional Capris |
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In
1957 F C Hall instructed his guitar development team of Roger Rossmeisl
and Paul Barth to commence work on the new Capri concept. During the
development period a good number of Capri prototypes were produced,
many still exist to this day. There are variations in body size, neck
scale, headstock shape, control electronics, and hardware. Featured
here are some of these 'transitional prototypes' that have a 325
connection. |
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This
1958 one-off short scale Combo850 known as 'The Polynesian' was
actually very much like a 325. It has all the '58 325 features, but
also the German body route of the 850's. Other pics can be seen
on pg 147 of Smith's Rickenbacker book. Serial number Unknown. |
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In
late '57 while the Capris were under development, different prototype
bodies were made. Three 'Longbody' 325's were made. This one is
actually a short scale neck on long-body. Indeed unique |
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Talk
about transitional! This maple prototype from '57 has elements of
many Rics. It has a 325 sized longbody, with 2 switch combo controls,
painted on long scimitar soundhole, full scale neck, and 7 piece top
Serial No. 2T1XX |
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From
pg 105 of the Rickenbacker book.* A Longbody capri with fullscale neck
but strangely, an early Combo style headstock. Regarding this term
"Longbody", rather than the flattened tail we find on production 325's,
Longbody's have a fully rounded tail, similar to a 330. This results in
a rounder and longer body, but not as wide as a normal 330. Serial
Number unknown |
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Just
in case we thought the two control configuration was limited to the
325's, here's an early '58 345 with the very same control setup as the
325's. It has a transitional sized scimitar shaped soundhole - sized
between the later common style and the early prototype long and 'extra
curvy' ones. Serial No. 3V1XX |
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Another
of the 325 longbodies. Confirmation of how early these were is the
visible extended combo jackplate. Fewer than 10 early Capri's had this
rare feature. From pg 107. Serial Number unknown. |
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* (c)2009 Rickenbacker Int'l Corp., used by permission |
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