325 Hard to Play??

[kieran campbell]

I have a 335 witch is Amazing and allways keeps in tune , do 325s or any short scale guitars keep in tune as much?

[tennis_nick]

I have a 335 witch is Amazing and allways keeps in tune , do 325s or any short scale guitars keep in tune as much?

Any guitar that is well set up and maintained (assuming it is free of structural defect) will hold tune perfectly fine.

[wj350]

I like mine quite a bit, but candidly, spend little time above the 7th fret. Guess I should be embarrassed, huh?

Nah, what's embarrassing is the c68 typo in your signature!!

Hah!!! Thanks, geez, that has to have been there forever!!

[kiramdear]

do you mean like what type of music or what?

Yeah, everything, I mean were you classically trained, how do you like to make barre chords, are you more lead or rhythm oriented, do you wrap your thumb around the neck a lot, things like that. Assuming you play rock'n'roll but I could be mistaken? Classical players may find the small neck difficult but raunchy lazy players like me may find it just plain less work

[jdogric12]

Long time short scale player, first time caller here....

I always thought the nut of a shorty lined up with the 3rd fret of a full scale Rick... I'll check when I get home if I can remember.

[kiramdear]

The short ricks measure out at 20 3/4", the shortest short I've ever seen, as opposed to 22 1/2" or so for most "short scale" guitars (3/4-Melody Makers, the Squire Mini, my little Ovation acoustic included). Standard is about 24 3/4" in my experience.

I love my 320 for its feel but also for its tone. It's "alto" voicing cuts clearly through the other instruments without having to be louder.

[jdogric12]

Just measured. I was right, 3rd fret.

[deaconblues]

Thanks, JDog...I was eyeballing it. Third fret it is!

[kieran campbell]

Is there any songs Wich are imposable to play an a 325?

[deaconblues]

Nothing's impossible, but the lack of sustain, high-gauge strings, and short scale will make you think twice about ripping a solo at the 15th fret.

[kiramdear]

This may seem like blatent self-promotion, but maybe I can offer a song sample that shows what a shortie can do. Listen to the lead work at the end of "Be Bread": http://web.me.com/kiramdear/Galerie_Kir ... Songs.html
I used a modeling amp miked to tape and transferred to the computer, no special effects other than "combo" amp setting and a bit of tape distortion. My hands aren't small, but I'm just used to my 320. Her 1982 hi-gain pickups have got great sustain.

[deaconblues]

Sounds great, Kira...do you use roundwounds or flats?

[kiramdear]

Thanks, Dan. They're flatwound, DiAddarios If I recall, 12 gauge. Surprisingly edgy for flats. I'll have to look for the package because I want to get them again. Most of us use a few effects here and there to add sustain, distortion, etc, but I think my 320 w/ hi-gains has a great all-around basic sound without FX. Just a little overdrive will make it take right off. As for playability, I can do everything I can do on a full-size if not more. I love the small low frets and the narrower nut just makes it easier for me. I've accepted some compromise in sound from some other short guitars (non-rick) but not necessary with my 320. Most shorties are "student models" which means poor quality: I have a squire mini that plays nice after extensive modding and hot-rodding- it's a blast. I used to love my '59 Melody Maker for its short neck, but I didn't have the heart to mod it so it stayed at home. My 320 is no-compromise all the way.

[paologregorio]

Here's another example of my Rickencluelessness; why does the short scale guitar require such a heavy gauge string set?

[kiramdear]

Here's another example of my Rickencluelessness; why does the short scale guitar require such a heavy gauge string set?

It doesn't require it per se, but the string tension is lower for short scale so a notch or two heavier string feels the same, really. I use 12's on my Martin (25-1/2") and can hardly bend at all, but on my 320 (20-3/4") it's natural to bend a twelve a whole step (I never need more). If you put light strings on her I think it would sound flappy and tinny, no tone. Thicker strings = more tone but not more work. One more reason to love my 320.