325 Hard to Play??

Vintage, Modern, V & C Series, Signature & Special Editions

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

User avatar
doctorwho
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 12658
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 3:28 pm

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by doctorwho »

kieran campbell wrote:I have a 335 witch is Amazing and allways keeps in tune , do 325s or any short scale guitars keep in tune as much?
When I pulled out my 325v59 in August at SoCalCon, it was still in tune, untouched for a number of months in the case.

There are a number of older threads that deal with this subject. Personally, I find open chords and barre chords up to around the 9th fret or so to be fine ... barre chords higher up than that are a bit more challenging for me, as my fingers wind up not having enough room.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
User avatar
jingle_jangle
RRF Moderator
Posts: 22679
Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
Contact:

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by jingle_jangle »

kiramdear wrote: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.
Those would be those D'A chrome flats, Kira. I use 'em on my surf guitars. I love the tone on a Fender Jag.

I, too, am a short-scale nut. I play a 24" scale Jag most of the time with the band, and really like my 22.5" Duo-Sonics and my 20.75" Rick shorties, which there is no shortage of around my house...
User avatar
tennis_nick
Intermediate Member
Posts: 1476
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:56 am

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by tennis_nick »

paologregorio wrote:Here's another example of my Rickencluelessness; why does the short scale guitar require such a heavy gauge string set?
Take a standard Rick and tune it down to where the 3rd fret (approximately) would be an E.

9's or 10's would be loose and sloppy, barely playable...

Take that same Rick and string it with 12s or 13s and repeat the same experiment, and you will have a much more playable string tension.
User avatar
kiramdear
RRF Moderator
Posts: 9045
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:51 am
Contact:

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by kiramdear »

jingle_jangle wrote:I, too, am a short-scale nut. I play a 24" scale Jag most of the time with the band, and really like my 22.5" Duo-Sonics and my 20.75" Rick shorties, which there is no shortage of around my house...
Hmmm, OK, Paul, I'll be right over...
All I wanna do is rock!
User avatar
wj350
Advanced Member
Posts: 1675
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:00 am

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by wj350 »

jingle_jangle wrote: I, too, am a short-scale nut. I play a 24" scale Jag most of the time with the band, and really like my 22.5" Duo-Sonics and my 20.75" Rick shorties, which there is no shortage of around my house...
Other than my pesky lack of musical talent and craftsmanship ability, you and I could be twin sons of different moms.... :D :D

My favorite day-to-day guitar these days is my Jag, closely followed by my Mustang and 325s. The 24" scale on the Jag and 'Stang actually seem the most comfortable for me, though I don't mean that to take anything away from the Rics.

Bill
"Let me take you down...'cause I'm going to...."
User avatar
kiramdear
RRF Moderator
Posts: 9045
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:51 am
Contact:

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by kiramdear »

Gibson and others consider 24-3/4" to be full scale, right? SG's, Pauls, etc. I don't have a strat or tele to measure. Martin acoustics are over 25" +/-, while most of the student models and the short fenders (like my mini) are around 22-1/2 +/-. But at 20-1/2"+/-, the 320/325 scale makes it a very special sound and feel.

What is the official "Full Scale" denomination? Seems like every maker's a little different about what they consider full or short scale.
All I wanna do is rock!
User avatar
kieran campbell
Member
Posts: 207
Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:08 am

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by kieran campbell »

Is anyone selling a 325? Please let me know!!

thanks!
Sign the petition- http://johnlennonday.com/
JakeK
RRF Consultant
Posts: 5757
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:08 pm

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by JakeK »

Dave's Guitars has a C58 Alderglo and a C64 JG
User avatar
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15137
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2000 5:00 am
Contact:

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by admin »

Bill: With regard to playing higher up the neck, I am reminded of the words of the late great Roger Miller.

When playing a gig, I forget now which one, with several outstanding lead players he quipped something very close to
"Let me tell you something fellas, you can play up there if you want, but all the money is right down here.
:lol:
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm

Please join the Official RickResource Forum Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/379271585440277
User avatar
kiramdear
RRF Moderator
Posts: 9045
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:51 am
Contact:

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by kiramdear »

Oh, Peter, that's priceless :lol: :lol: I'm gonna remember that one.
All I wanna do is rock!
User avatar
doctorwho
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 12658
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 3:28 pm

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by doctorwho »

kiramdear wrote:Oh, Peter, that's priceless :lol: :lol: I'm gonna remember that one.
+1 ! :D
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
User avatar
wj350
Advanced Member
Posts: 1675
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:00 am

Re: 325 Hard to Play??

Post by wj350 »

Peter, thanks for that!! I feel better already!!

Bill
"Let me take you down...'cause I'm going to...."
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Guitars: by John Simmons”