Joe Hardman, an avid collector of Model 325 Rickenbackers has recently made some very interesting comments regarding the f-hole positions on these instruments. His October 3, 1999 response to questions about the Model 325 posed on alt.guitar.rickenbacker was "I believe pre 1970 310 -325 models are exceedingly rare,
relatively speaking, regardless of the "F" hole configuration. Without
question, 2 O'clock "F" hole models are the rarest of the rare and are
generally considered to be the most desirable, because of the Lennon
factor. If one were to go back and check the last 12 issues of Vintage
Guitar Magazine, I do not think he or she would find more than one pre
1970 310 - 325 model advertised for sale.
One O'clock
models are very rare and two O'clock models are exceeding rare. Many of
us, who have studied 310 -325 models for many years, beleive that Rose
Morris 1996 models were shipped during 1964 with both one and two
O'clock "F" holes. Based on our observations, it is likely that the
majority, if not all, two O'clock models were shipped during the first
half of the year. However, since there are so few models known to exist,
we can't be 100% certain. The recently advertised 1967 two O'clock model is truly unique,
because until it appeared on ebay, most 310 -325 historians would have
said there were not any 60's two O'clock models, produced after the
summer of 1964. Well, so much for that theory. This is another perfect
example of why one should avoid using words such as "always" and
"never", when discussing vintage Rickenbacker products.
I am not saying the majority of 325 models produced during the
first half of 1964 were made with two O'clock "F" holes. However, based
on the serial numbers of the few 1964 two O'clock "F" hole models known
to exist, it would appear they were shipped to Rose Morris during the
first half of the year. More than likely the majority of 325 / Rose
Morris 1996 models produced that year were in fact the one O'clock
style. I do not have any inside information, regarding the change from
one to two O'clock "F" holes, however it is likely that very early R.
M. 1996 models were made from left over early 60's bodies. I do know
that RIC would accept special orders in those days, so conceivably a
dealer could have special ordered a particular style, but majority of
the population at the time was not that sophisticated or detail
oriented. Therefore, when MANNY's placed an order for 310 - 325 models,
it is highly doubtful that anyone within MANNY's or Rickenbacker gave
any thought to "F" hole styles. Whatever MANNY's or Rose Morris received
from Santa Ann they sold. Also, it is important to remember that outside
major metropolitan areas, such New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, 310 -
325 models were infrequently ordered by dealers, because they were both
expensive and somewhat impractical. As you know, when we were
growing up in the 60's, we were lucky if we owned one good American made
guitar and the vast majority of us bought and played full scale
models.
As you are well aware, there were some flat top (non "F" hole) 325
models made during 1958, but the majority of 1958 325 models known to
exist, have two O'clock "F" holes. Two O'clock "F" holes seem to have
been the norm for 310 -325 models until 1964, when one O'clock models
appeared. There could be more, but I am only aware of two flat top 325
models that were produced during the 60's: Lennon's DB-122 and a fireglo
model, which I assume is original and owned by a Japanese collector.
We had a store similar to Manny's in Chicago, located several blocks
down Wabash Avenue from Marshal Fields, which carried all the major
brands, including Rickenbacker. I have fond memories of riding the
elevator up to the third floor and stepping into the most spectacular
place in the universe. Little did we know that such visits would remain
with us forever."
One O'clock and two O'clock 325 models were both produced
during 1964, but up until 1964 it appears that two O'clock "F" hole
models were the norm, just as one O'clock models were the norm by the
end of 1964. That's why Greg's 1967 325 two O'clock model blew some of
us away, when it appeared on ebay. It's anything but the norm and raises
several questions. 1) Was it a left over body that was sitting in the
corner of the factory that someone decide to complete? 2)Was it a special
order or part of a limited run in 1967? 3) Did someone just goof and use
the wrong "F" hole pattern that day?"
Joe Hardman comments on the model 320 Fireglo below. "The "f" hole on the 86 320 shown below is
shaped like a one O'clock "f" hole, even though it is pointing toward
two O'clock. Therefore, I would not consider it a "classic" example,
because of the shape of the "f" hole."
Article Submitted on October 3, 1999
© 1999 Joe Hardman. All rights reserved.
Editing and Html Design by Peter McCormack
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