325 neck on a 620...

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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blaine63
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325 neck on a 620...

Post by blaine63 »

I'm strongly considering buying a brand new 620 I found on sale at a local music store. I've always wanted a Rickenbacker of any kind but especially a 325...partially because of the John Lennon connection but also because of the really short scale. I'm 5 foot 4 and I have small hands (my wife is smaller than me but has bigger hands than I do).

A 325 is not in the picture because of price. I'm not going to gig...just play it for my own pleasure and I can't justify the cost for that reason. And the deal for the 620 seems good and I can finally own a Ricky! I've got a Telecaster that I'm converting to a short scale but that's only 24 3/4...not nearly a 325! It occurred to me that maybe I could convert a 620 in the same way...but are the necks compatible and can I even get a 325 neck for the conversion?

Thanks!
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kiramdear
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by kiramdear »

I doesn't sound advisable to me because of the disparity in the construction of the two models: set neck hollow body versus through-neck solid body.

Why don't you look for an Eighties' model 320? They can be had for reasonable prices. And get the 620, too. :wink:
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MyBBruce
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by MyBBruce »

Yeah I own both the 325 and 620 guitars. A 620 is going to be a shorter scale than a Telecaster. No way could you swap necks. What do you consider a good deal on a 620? You should be able to buy a new one for 1299.00 shipped to you. That's what I just paid.

Keep in mind the neck on a 620 goes all the way through the body ..See picture: Dark spot is all neck. A 325 has a neck pocket.

Image

It's fun to have a 325. You should get a 620 and see if you really like playing Rickenbackers. If you do than save up for a 325. They are great little guitars, but there is somewhat of a limited range with them. To have this as your only guitar is silly IMO. To shorten a scale is going to make it a brighter guitar. You'd have to be a really small person to not be able to comfortably play a 620. My 13 year Grand Daughter is a small little thing. She does fine with it. Just my 2 cents
Rickenbacker 350V63 325C64 Jetglo Ric 620 FG Fender Masterbuilt Tele, LaCabronita , Crook Pink Paisley Relic, Lentz DB HSL, Martin 000-18

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jingle_jangle
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by jingle_jangle »

The necks aren't "compatible", as you've concluded, and of course you can't buy a neck for a 325. And to cut up a 325 AND a 620 is just plain wasteful and $$$.

A number of Ricks were made with short scales: early Combo 1000s and 950s, ES-16 Electros among them. The Electros are rare but not too pricey and worth keeping an eye out for. The Combos start at about a grand for a beater and run into $2500 for a nice one.
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doctorwho
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by doctorwho »

Welcome, William!

Another model to watch for is the Ryder 1000 (short-scale 'student' model); Ryder is a line similar to Electro but is often less expensive (but the instruments play and sound just fine):
P9070520.JPG
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MyBBruce
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by MyBBruce »

I am 5'11 and the 620 seems short to me. Plus it's not the greatest sit down guitar. Great gig guitar though. Very easy to see the markers and Frets. Better than most. Just hard to sit with. Not much there to rest on your leg. A shorter neck would have to add to this problem.
Rickenbacker 350V63 325C64 Jetglo Ric 620 FG Fender Masterbuilt Tele, LaCabronita , Crook Pink Paisley Relic, Lentz DB HSL, Martin 000-18

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blaine63
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Re: 325 neck on a 620...

Post by blaine63 »

Thanks all. yeah...i didn't realize the the neck on the 620 is integrated...i just assumed it was bolt on like my telecaster.

I'm getting a Rick...and I actually do need a short scale. I simply can't stretch my short little fingers like I'd like to.

Now I just need to find the model that suits me as well as has the mystique I've always craved.

@MYBBruce: $1,100 hanging at a local music store! But I may not jump yet. I think I want to try a few before I commit.
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