Music

Rickenbacker Model 365 Capri Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1959), made in Los Angeles, serial # 2V357, Autumnglo sunburst finish, laminated maple body and neck, Padouk fingerboard, original hard shell case. This is a somewhat worn-in but still very lovely example of an early Rickenbacker Model 365 Capri in a beautiful shaded "Autumglo" dark sunburst finish. The guitar has general wear from use over the last 65 years but remains in excellent playing condition. Astute Rickenbacker afficionados will note the guitar has an early-style flat plate tailpiece, not a vibrato unit so should technically be called a Model 360. It is nonetheless a Model 365, originally equipped with the infamously unreliable Kauffman Vibrola unit. This was removed somewhere along the way and a correct period style Rickenbacker tailpiece hooked on the original baseplate; the parts are interchangeable. The original roller bridge and "2V" serial number prefix confirm that this was built as a two-pickup, vibrato guitar. Rickenbacker has created a number of iconic electric instruments over the last 90 years. This Capri Model 365 is one, but this original first-generation version is actually fairly rare and has a number of specific features to these first-period models. Starting in 1958-9 the Rickenbacker Model 300 thinline hollowbodies (initially called the "Capri" series) eventually became the company's mainstays into the late '60s, but only after a number of design changes between 1961 and '63. Early Rickenbacker serial numbers are not date-encoded as they are after 1960 but this guitar carries pots are dated to the 48th week of 1958 and the 10th week of 1959. It has features typical for that year including the deeper body with a high waist and single "cats eye" soundhole, twin "toaster-top" chrome pickups, "oven" style control knobs, double elevated gold-backed Lucite pickguard and matching gold nameplate on the headstock. The finish on this guitar is a lovely example of "Autumngo" which is the company's moniker for a darker, shaded brown sunburst lacquer; topped with gold accents this is particularly attractive. The top and back of the maple body are single bound. The neck is the standard Rickenbacker laminated maple/walnut construction with a single truss rod, not the double-rod system adopted a couple of years later. This guitar has a medium-chunky neck (for a Rickenbacker) with the squared heel set at a good angle, often a sore point of these early Capris. The fingerboard is bound and inlaid with the early style "slash" inlay that is another Rickenbacker trademark. The headstock already has the classic Rickenbacker shape and is fitted with individual metal-button Kluson deluxe tuners. This is definitely one of the classiest and most attractive early Rickenbackers we have had, especially striking in its subtly shaded darker finish. Sometimes we see a guitar that's so lovely to look at we just have to stop to just appreciate it -- this is one. It also plays better than many 1950s examples and sounds just as it should, with the classic early Rickenbacker look and feel. Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). This early Capri shows a playwear and some typical repairs; it appears to have been well played over its 65 years on earth but never abused. There is lateral checking and numerous small dings and chips to the beautifully shaded Autumnglo finish, but overall it remains vibrant with very little fade. A few dings on the top have been very discreetly touched up. The back is free of belt buckle wear but has a few random dings. The back of the neck shows some spots worn to the wood, with some light clear overspray added long ago over the worn areas. There are a few feelable dings and dents in the lower positions. The guitar has are a couple of solid but visible repairs. The seams in body along the center laminates have been resealed on both sides, most notably in the area between the tailpiece and the bridge with some light touch up. There is also a typical repair to a separation between the fingerboard and neck below the nut, typical on older Rickenbackers because of the truss rod design. There is a patched hole in the heel from an oddly located extra strap button, now removed. The nut is a bone replacement; the thin-wire frets appear original as does the older style fingerboard, not heavily lacquered like later Rickenbackers. The frets are low but quite playable, with hardly any wear since the last dressing. All hardware on the guitar is original except as noted the plate tailpiece in place of the original Kaufman Vibrola. This is a fun guitar to play with a slightly chunkier neck them most later Rickenbackers and a solid neck angle, often a sore point of early Capris. The "bleed" cap on the lead pickup has been removed, which to most players improves the sound of that position somewhat. While not the cleanest this is one of the coolest Rickenbackers we have had in a while, with a definite vibe about it. The original greenish/grey case is included in well-used but still solid functional condition. Overall Very Good + Condition.

The Rickenbacker 365 is part of the iconic 300 series of guitars. Known for its distinctive sound and excellent build quality, it has risen to legendary status among players.