Rickenbacker 325

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Rickenbacker 325
Rickenbacker 325C64.jpg
Rickenbacker 325C64 (A reissue of the 1964 model 325 played by John Lennon)
Manufacturer Rickenbacker
Period1958–present
Construction
Body typeSemi-hollow
Neck jointSet-in
Scale 20+34 inches (530 mm)
Woods
BodyMaple; alder on 50s instruments & reissues.
NeckMaple; alder on 50s instruments & reissues.
FretboardBubinga (1960s–2000s), Padauk (late 1950s), Chechen (current).
Hardware
Bridge3-way
Pickup(s) Three single-coil pickups
Colors available
Mapleglo (natural), Jetglo (black), Fireglo (red sunburst)

The Rickenbacker 325 is the first of the Capri series of hollow body guitars released in 1958 by Rickenbacker.

Contents

Overview

The 325 was designed by Roger Rossmeisl, a guitar craftsman from a family of German instrument makers. Production models had a 20+34-inch (530 mm) short scale, dot fretboard inlays, and a small (12+34-inch-wide [320 mm]) body. The body is unbound, semi-hollow, with an angled sound hole, and boasts "crescent moon"-style cutaways. These instruments gained prominence due to John Lennon's use of a 325 during the early years of The Beatles. Lennon's 1958 model was among the first batch made and has the pre-production feature of a solid top with no sound hole. All subsequent production short-scale 300-series Rickenbackers (310, 315, 320, 325) had sound holes until the late 1970s. This series is currently available only in "C" reissue form, although the reissues lack a sound hole to mimic Lennon's instrument.

Notable players

See also

John Lennon's musical instruments

References

  1. Sollenberger, Kraig. "Susanna Hoffs Yesterdays... And Today". Vintage Guitar Magazine. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  2. Fanelli, Damian (16 February 2017). "John Fogerty Is Reunited with His CCR Rickenbacker After 44 Years". Guitar World. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  3. Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 75. ISBN   9780931759154.
  4. Crowley, John F. "John Lennon's Guitars, Part 3". Fab Guitars of The Beatles. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  5. "Donovan's Gear". Equip Board. Retrieved 5 January 2025.