Modifying my new 320

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:17 pm

I sure have a habit lately of showing up late for postings that I'm actually interested in!

Anyway:

I too have a 320, very early 1980s, that someone before me stuck a Bigsby on. It totally rocks. Using the Ric strings (.012-.054), with the wound G.

rick_lover · Post by **rick_lover** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:28 am

Hi, instead of "tonight" I should better have written "tonight in a month".
However, here is a pic of my beauty:
www.geocities.com/florian_lennon/graphics/320neu.jpg

Flo

hamiltone · Post by **hamiltone** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:31 am

With that guitar you've just got to get the Vox Python Strap which is available from:

www.pickofthericks.com

All the best

mparedes · Post by **mparedes** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:02 am

Hi I also have a 320 and I don't want to give it up, but I am not really into it. I have tried. I love the size and I think it's so beautiful, but was wondering also about changing the pick-ups. I never played a vintage one just my Rickenbacker bass which I love. How do the toaster pick-ups change the sound on this guitar. I now they are more jangy. I can't really get into the hi-gain sound. I was thinking I should have gone for the 350 and added a humbucking pick-up just like Susana Hoffs'. I don't know how guys like this tiny guitar. It's hard to fret. For me being a very small woman with small hands the size is great, but it always sounds out of tune and goes out of tune a lot. Anyways, let me know how the toaster pick-ups sound on the 320 model since it's not really a vintage guitar does it achieve that vintage jangy sound of the 60's? Thanks! Maria

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:59 am

Toasters will give you more of the vintage "jangle" at the expense of some output.

The tuning problem could possibly be strings--do not use light gauge strings. Use the proper Rickenbacker .012-.054 set and stretch them out properly when you're putting them on.

mparedes · Post by **mparedes** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:00 am

Thanks Paul! Yeah unfortunately I took my guitar to get the bridge redone at Precision Fretwork here in S.F. and the guy there was very nice, but I am not sure if he also replaced the nut along with light strings because I knew all along about the the 12 gauge strings for these guitars and they don't fit in my guitar. I have always been able to change my strings on any guitar without problem and I can do that on this guitar. It's frustrating and light string are so hard to play also. I guess he has a reputation, but he may not know so much about Rickenbackers. I originally wanted to ship my guitar out to the music connection shop in North Carolina. I hear that he is one of the best.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:06 pm

My shop is in SF, Maria. Lots of advice and free coffee. I'm on the border between Nob Hill and Pacific Heights. Write me off-Forum and I'll give you my phone number.

mparedes · Post by **mparedes** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:26 pm

Oh Cool! good to hear you are in my town. What's the name of your shop? I will check it out today if It is open. Thank you!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:57 am

I have two 320s (one Red, one Silver) that I bought used that have the wrong gauge strings on them, and they have bad intonation as a result.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:59 am

320 Silver. ahhhhhhh. My, I love silver guitars and cars.

mparedes · Post by **mparedes** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:00 pm

Really that's terrible. What did you do? Those guitars are so hard to play as it is because they are tiny. I am might just sell mine and get the 350 instead. It's too bad I never got one of those Susana Hoffs' back in the 80's. I remembered they were a lot cheaper.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:25 am

Hi Maria, I had heard rumors that there was yet another girl on this forum--glad to see you here, and welcome from me! If you take your guitar to Paul, he will be sure to set it up right so it is nice and playable for you.... He does great work.

BTW I have a 325 that I love....

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:02 am

Yeah, i concur - Paul is great when it comes to guitars, and you can take it from Melissa - she sure knows what she's talkin' about!

Welcome, Maria, from me too BTW - albeit looks like you've been here for quite a few months!
And good luck with your project!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:11 am

Hey Sheena, you're catching up to me--look at our numbers....LOL!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:48 am

Maria, its obvious from what Precision (a usually quite competent shop) did to your li'l guy, that they are not Rick specialists.

Very few shops are. The care and feeding of the Wild Rickenbacker is not something that is going to make any shop a whole lotta bread, and Ricks are not like any other guitars.

Shop techs and owners, being only human, usually conform to human nature and believe that Ricks are loaded with indecipherable Black Magic. Not true, but a hard conviction to debunk.

But they are Mystical, do doubt about it.