What's the difference between a 320 and a 325?

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:17 pm

The topic says it all. What are the less noticeable difference? Obviously it has an "R" tailpiece, high-gains, and different knobs, but what are the less noticeable difference?

For example, are the tuners the same, or how about the wiring? Are the knobs in different positions, is the scale length the same, etc.? Thanks, everybody!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:00 pm

The '5' designation just donates a vibrato. So a 325 is the same as a 320, but with a vibrato. The same for 330/335....etc.

The 320 with the R tailpiece is one of the older 'B' series, which was a crude atempt at a re-issue. The later V & C series were much, much better as a historical re-issue.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:15 am

I've always thought of the "R" tailpiece 320s as their own line of guitars, and not as crude reissue attempts. They don't seem to be a replica of anything and thank God they are made very well. The only historical thing about them is the similarity of body shape in plan view, possibly the control placement, and the neck geometry, and this is a function of function (got that?) and not any deliberate attempts to ape history.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:55 am

But it's pretty much a 325 with an "R" tailpiece right?

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:21 am

Function of function at the junction...

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:39 am

Paul, Rickenbackers own advertising claimed that the B series were 'classics from the past' & 'vintage favorites'. Also, when you take the 320 as part of the three gtr series (360WB & 4003SB), it seems that these were indeed attempts at reissue.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:59 am

Yeah, but reissues of what? At least the 360WB resembled a 360OS, which resembled a 360...

I'll defer to your point, Tony, and not argue it, but taking it in the sense in which you interpret these words, then their ad agency missed the boat on that one and RIC are still paying the tab.

In the world of literary license, however, any Rick of the original lineage could be blessed with those two phrases, without being far off the mark (marque?). It's when I actually see the words "replica" or "reissue" that my own vision and pen both sharpen.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:15 am

Talking of the 360WB. Although, for a while, they were not fetching a great deal of money, I always felt that it could well be my ultimate gtr. I like the 330 shape & 24 fret neck pick up spacing, but I do like the binding & little luxuries. I have tried 21 fretters (still have some), but for my style of music, the spacing just doesn't quite cut it (apart from 12's). Anyway, the price of a WB has gone up & up in the last couple of years or so & now almost command V64 prices.

The point to this post, is that I have managed to find (or rather Mike Smith has managed to find) a stunning '84 FG 360WB...& I pick it up on Thursday!

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:22 am

Tony - you're an animal! We've not had pictures of the last lot you scored yet!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:14 am

Well Rob...a couple of my new ones didn't suit, so they went & I'm having the WB & that 370BG that Mike has.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:31 pm

I love the feel of my 360WB. Rick-solid.

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:31 pm

I should have clarified. I mean the 80s 320s with high gains, a two ply pickguard, etc...

Do they have Klusons or Schallers?

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:43 pm

yeah, we kind of neglected Nick's original question here...

Paul's your man, Nick - he bought himself an MG 320 some months back, before doing a gorgeous re-fin

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:51 pm

Getting off topic again...

Does a 360WB have the same exact body style as a 330, only with binding?

drathbun · Post by **drathbun** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:21 pm

Nick:

The '80's 320's had Kluson Deluxe nickel plated tuners. I took the old old ones off my '81 and replace them with new chrome ones from RIC. I've kept the old ones though... just in case.