325v59 Opinions?

[sloop_john_b]

I have a line on a Jetglo 325v59 that i'm considering. It's a nice price and I have been RASing for one of the "little" Ricks for a while.

My concern is practicality.

- Is this just a guitar for the guy who plays John Lennon in the local Beatles tribute band, or will I be able to coax original, useable tones from it (My style can best be described as modern folk rock - my main guitars are an acoustic and my 660/12 through a Janglebox and a Mesa Maverick Class A EL34 amp, as a basis for my tonal preferences)?

- I understand that this guitar won't be ideal for soloing, which is okay, I don't do much anyway. I have played a 325 just once - for about ten seconds, on one that had maybe 2 strings on it - it felt okay. Has anyone encountered any shortcomings with the scale length? I've heard it described as similar to having a capo on the 4th fret of a "normal" guitar - any truth there?

I'm looking for people's opinions that really use these models for gigging, or studio work, and don't do Beatles tunes. I'd also love to hear opinions from people who had 325's and didn't like 'em.

I know i'm sounding somewhat negative in tone, but I love the look and vibe of this guitar and I just want to make sure that it will deliver on all fronts. I go through lots of guitars and I really want this one to be a keeper, as most of my Ricks have been.

[melibreits]

Ummmmm.... I've got a 325v59 that I LOVE. I mainly play modern praise & worship music on it with my church's worship team.... Overall I like playing it for the jangly tones; more often than not I use the bridge pickup alone when I play it, but it is pretty easy to coax some nice crunchy overdriven sounds out of it too. I'm not normally a lead player, but managed to do a little bit of a solo with it last week, and used the Bigsby for a nice effect. I use a VOX Valvetronix AD60VT amp, usually on a clean AC30 setting. I find the short scale to be a lot of fun, and easy to play, but then I have nice, slender lady fingers! I suppose it is kind of like playing with a capo at the 4th fret on a normal guitar--I guess that had never ocurred to me, LOL!

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks Melissa. What type of strings do you use on it, Flats or Rounds? What gauge?

[melibreits]

I use the RIC 12's, which are standard for that guitar.

[Scastles]

John, I use Pyramids, round wound .012 to .054. I have nothing but praise for the 325. I use different guitars for different situations, depending on the sound I'm going after, but I'm a rhythm player.

[skeeterbuck]

John, The first short scale Rick that I ever played was a 325v59. The set up on the guitar I tried wasn't the greatest and my first impression was that this is more like a toy guitar than a "real" guitar.
I have always liked playing Beatle tunes and when Rick released the 325c58 I decided to get one. Now that I have owned one for several years I would best describe it as a niche instruments. I think it is more suited to rhythm that lead. Because of the short scale and the heavier strings required, the tone when strummed has a chunky quality to it.
There is something to be said in reference to the capo at the 4th fret. When I was considering buying the 325c58, I did just that....
Get a set of 12's on your "test" guitar and tune it two whole steps lower. Then place a capo at the 4th fret...retune to standard pitch (it should be in the ballpark already).. and play it that way on and off for several days at least. This will give you a good idea what the 325 will be like. BTW.. I still have the 325c58 will no plans on getting rid of it. Hope any or all of this has been some help. Good luck in your "short scale" quest!

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks for the help guys. I think i'm going to take a chance on it. If it doesn't work out, hey, I tried.

But if it does...