325JL question

[Boomer9898]

I have an opportunity to buy a 325JL. I have heard that the Accent Vibrato on the 325JL is less than desirable. Is it a simple procedure to change the tail piece to the standard Ric style. Do I have to drill any additional holes, etc.

[jps]

Welcome Stan!

You can exchange the Accent vibrato for a trapeze tailpiece with no modification. They use the same bracket. You will have to drill new holes for a R tailpiece, though.

[jingle_jangle]

Stan, Welcome to the RRF!

I'd live with the Accent for awhile before believing what you hear.

There is a LOT of misinformation about Ricks out there in a world of Gibsons, Fenders, and pointy Floyd-Rose-equipped pimple compensators. It's second nature with some folks to put down what they don't understand.

The Accent is the simplest reliable vibrato you'll ever find. On a guitar that's properly set up with the right strings, it's sweet. One thing it won't do is dive-bomb. If you want to dive bomb, see the last six words of my second sentence (above).

At any rate, tailpieces are easily swapped, although you could have some screw holes in the heel of the guitar. The problem would be getting an "R" tailpiece--they are not normally available from the factory without a trade-in. There are a few folks, though, who'd be happy to swap an "R" for your Accent should you decide it's not for you.

Anyway, a JL is usually a premium-priced guitar, and I'd think twice before modding it. 325s are, in general, somewhat specialized and hard to score, but you can find them with the "R" already installed.

[Boomer9898]

Thanks. I don't plan to use the vibrato, so I will give it a chance before any modding. I want the 325 because of it's 3/4 scale. I have smaller hands and I think I would appreciate the form factor. I can't find one locally to try, so I hope I will not be disappointed.

[Scastles]

Think the Accent's are fine. It was the Kaufmann on the 325 C's I found less than desireable. Each to there own though.
Welcome BTW, Stan.

[Boomer9898]

Since I have your collective ears, what strings would you recommend on the 325 ? I hear the Pyramid flat wound are highly regarded....11s, 12s ?

And thanks for the nice welcome. This will be my first Rickenbacker. I have many guitars and look forward to sharing with other forum members.

[JakeK]

Welcome Stan!

Pyramids aren't the way to go...unless you like extremely high tension. Get some Thomastik-Infeld flatwounds in the 12 or 13 gauge from Pick of The Ricks. You can use the vibrato without the arm...just remove the screw stud that holds the arm. Pete Townshend and Tom Petty have done this, and Lennon probably would have, too.

[jps]

The problem would be getting an "R" tailpiece--they are not normally available from the factory without a trade-in. There are a few folks, though, who'd be happy to swap an "R" for your Accent should you decide it's not for you.

Currently, there are two R tailpiece assemblies available from RIC-OUTLET!

Here is one.

And another.

[Scastles]

I used Pyramid 12's on mine. They stayed amazingly in tune, even with a Bigsby on it. TI's are great choice as well. Again, preference of the player.

[buchrob]

I have a 325 v 63 equipped with the Accent. The handle is designed to be removable so it's not in your way... without disfiguring anything or possibly upsetting some purist further down the road. The guitar holds tune very well.

My handle lives in the case comnpartment.

Easier to take this one (and cheapest...) step at a time before investing in other parts.

[lennon211]

+1 for taking the bar off and leaving the tailpiece on.

[wj350]

Another fan of the Accent here...just watch skewering yourself on the arm tip!

Bill

[kiramdear]

Had all three, accent, Bigsby and "R" on my 320 through the years. The Bigsby sound was awesome and I miss it, but the current accent setup is the natural choice for me. It sounds different from the B5, a little janglier perhaps, less sustain-ey and not unpleasing if modest vibrato effect. The handle doesn't bother me though I see why Lennon bent his the way he did. Makes a dandy kickstand as is, when you park it in a corner