Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm sure there are quite a few of you Ric owners with a great deal more knowledge than I have who can answer this:
What are the differences between a 320 and a 325
Thanks---
Bob

The 325 has a tremelo tailpiece (accent, kaufmann, bigsby), and the 320 has a stop tailpiece (trapeze or "R"). The "5" refers to the tremelo model of any series.
Hope this helps
Here's my 320:

here's a somewhat famous 325...

It can get pretty complicated, as there have been several different iterations of each guitar, meaning not all 320s are alike and not nearly all 325s are alike. Everything from body dimensions, shapes, pickups, hardware woods and so on vary between different models.

I have a spreadsheet (not all inclusive by any stretch), but it identifies differences between many of the models. If you're interested, shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send you a copy.

Cheers, Bill

VERY basic overview based on what I know:

Back in the late '50s and most of the '60s, 325s and 320s were made interchangeably and were very similar in features, the 325 having a Kauffman or Ac'cent vibrato and the 320 having a trapeze or 'R' tail. 310s (no vibrato) and 315s (with vibrato) were also common, the same as a 320 or 325 but with two pickups. The 'classic period'.


310.

From about the late 70s (?) to around the time of the first reissues (late '80s/early '90s) is the 'modern period' of the 320, with Hi-Gains and 'R' tail. There were a few made with factory vibrato or 2 pickups, some have since been 'Lennonized' with '60s 325 features.


320.

Since those stopped being produced, almost all have been 'Lennon reissue' V and C series 325s, with the rare exception of one-off prototypes.


325c64.

I *think* the 320 bodies and necks are physically different than their 325/310/315 counterparts--wider bodies (13.25" vs. 12.75"), and narrower necks. The 320 body depth is the same as the 325c64, 1996RI, and the 350 models (1.5").

Bill

wj350 wrote:I *think* the 320 bodies and necks are physically different than their 325/310/315 counterparts--wider bodies (13.25" vs. 12.75"), and narrower necks.

Bill

Wow, if that's true then it gives me a lot to think about. I'm getting ready to refinish my jetglo 320 after 26 years in the trenches together (neither one of us looks as young as we used to ). For most of that time I had her "Lennonized" but recently I'm seeing her in her original "R" tailpiece, and you know it's starting to grow on me. There is one thing I don't like about the "R": the string spacing is irregular. But if that can be remedied I may just keep her like this and show her off the way she was conceived. Maybe I've grown beyond the point where I need to emulate my heroes so closely
Her neck is very thin and narrow with a nicely rounded fretboart, I can do all my wrapped-thumb tricks that don't work for me on a fender or such. There are songs I wrote on her that I can't even play standard scale! (4 or 5 fret stretch, no prob )
Nice, according to you she has her distinct character and is not just a 325 sans whammy. The only thing I might change would be the addition of edge trim. For a while there in the beginning I couldn't even see clearly what Lennon's guitar looked like against his dark suit; all I could see was the pickguard and all that chrome (understand we didn't have google images in those days, we had Ed Sullivan, the morning paper, AHDN, and the cover of the Beatles' Second Album to tell us what the moptops were playing live). I thought her pretty little figure would be well served by the addition of pinstripe white trim, "shadow bass"-style.
I'll get a Gretsch for my Bigsby (for when I get the urge to whammy)
Anyway thanks for reading this far! When the work is done I'll be sure to post some pix.

Kira, the neck differences (in measurements anyway are small--something like 1.6" at the nut for the 320, 1.65" for most of the 325 models. The fretboard radius on the 320 more like Lennon's guitar--10", vs 7.25" on the 325c58 (kinda curious about that myself). I like the flatter board myself.

I think it's great you're taking your guitar in your own direction. Keep in mind, Lennon modified his most likely because the Kaufmann was a pain to play with (especially in the raucous style they played back then)...if he'd had an R or Trapeze tailpiece he might not have even fooled with it!


Bill

wj350 wrote:...if he'd had an R or Trapeze tailpiece he might not have even fooled with it!


Bill

Then what would they do with all those 325C58's?

Meantime I hope you wont mind if I show you a hash up: Now if I was only somebody...

LOl...hey, that's a good looking pic!!

Bill

HEY ALL! ,There is a guy on ebay selling a 1996 and he says the they don't make them any more is this true?
Thanks

kieran campbell wrote:HEY ALL! ,There is a guy on ebay selling a 1996 and he says the they don't make them any more is this true?
Thanks

Kinda true...orders for the 1996 were only accepted in 2006, but they're still being made to fill those orders. If you look around, you can find a new one on order but unclaimed.

Bob, the 10" would be flatter--think of a circle's circumference--the smaller circle will have a rounder arc segment. Lower radius measurements will be more round.

Bill

kiramdear wrote:... The "5" refers to the tremelo model of any series ...

Except for the 355JL and 355/12JL Limited Editions, which have trapeze tailpieces. And it does not apply to the 4005 bass, of course!