Oh, did I mention this is my first guitar, as in never played a note in my life? Quite a beginner's guitar, eh?
The countdown begins
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lostwire
The countdown begins
Just this past weekend I put down a deposit for a brand new 325C58 JG with Chris at Pick of the Rics. To say that I'm excited would be a huge understatement & the 27th of November couldn't come soon enough. While I'm gathering up the remaining funds over the course of the next three weeks Chris will be setting her up with a B5, bowtie, Burns knobs & flatwounds. I'll make sure to post some pictures for all to see when that glorious day arrives.
Oh, did I mention this is my first guitar, as in never played a note in my life? Quite a beginner's guitar, eh?
Oh, did I mention this is my first guitar, as in never played a note in my life? Quite a beginner's guitar, eh?
325C58 as a beginner's guitar? Umn...
One good thing, though -- if you learn to play it well you'll be able to play just about anything else without much trouble.
Since you're a beginner I'll recommend getting the flatwound 12s, not the 13s. I also think you might do yourself a favor to consider a vintage trapeze tailpiece instead of the Bigsby. The Bigsby is IMO a rather useless piece on the 325C58 (Johnny seldom used the Bigsby on his), and the trapeze will serve to keep the guitar in tune better. Most of the 325s with Bigsby trems aren't PLAYED all that much. You're obviously getting the guitar to play, not as a collector's piece.
One good thing, though -- if you learn to play it well you'll be able to play just about anything else without much trouble.
Since you're a beginner I'll recommend getting the flatwound 12s, not the 13s. I also think you might do yourself a favor to consider a vintage trapeze tailpiece instead of the Bigsby. The Bigsby is IMO a rather useless piece on the 325C58 (Johnny seldom used the Bigsby on his), and the trapeze will serve to keep the guitar in tune better. Most of the 325s with Bigsby trems aren't PLAYED all that much. You're obviously getting the guitar to play, not as a collector's piece.
It is worth mentioning that the trapeze does not touch the body while the Bigsby B5 does. It exterts more pressure on the bridge than the trapeze as well. For these reasons alone you can expect a different sound between the two set ups. I would be interested in hearing what others have to say about this.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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lostwire
--- "325C58 as a beginner's guitar? Umn... " ---
That was said tongue in cheek; I'm assuming most people wouldn't spend close to 2k on their first guitar.
--- "One good thing, though -- if you learn to play it well you'll be able to play just about anything else without much trouble." ---
That's nice to know. Aside from the 325C58's connection to The Beatles I was especially attracted by the neck: short scale, thin, narrow, low action. I've also heard the flat wounds should be easier on my small fingers while I'm getting started.
--- "Since you're a beginner I'll recommend getting the flatwound 12s, not the 13s. I also think you might do yourself a favor to consider a vintage trapeze tailpiece instead of the Bigsby. The Bigsby is IMO a rather useless piece on the 325C58 (Johnny seldom used the Bigsby on his), and the trapeze will serve to keep the guitar in tune better. Most of the 325s with Bigsby trems aren't PLAYED all that much. You're obviously getting the guitar to play, not as a collector's piece." ---
From what I've read on this forum the Bigsby will greatly improve the 325s ability to stay in tune. Surely the trapeze would be another great option but half the fun of the 325 for me is it's connection with the one Lennon played.
That was said tongue in cheek; I'm assuming most people wouldn't spend close to 2k on their first guitar.
--- "One good thing, though -- if you learn to play it well you'll be able to play just about anything else without much trouble." ---
That's nice to know. Aside from the 325C58's connection to The Beatles I was especially attracted by the neck: short scale, thin, narrow, low action. I've also heard the flat wounds should be easier on my small fingers while I'm getting started.
--- "Since you're a beginner I'll recommend getting the flatwound 12s, not the 13s. I also think you might do yourself a favor to consider a vintage trapeze tailpiece instead of the Bigsby. The Bigsby is IMO a rather useless piece on the 325C58 (Johnny seldom used the Bigsby on his), and the trapeze will serve to keep the guitar in tune better. Most of the 325s with Bigsby trems aren't PLAYED all that much. You're obviously getting the guitar to play, not as a collector's piece." ---
From what I've read on this forum the Bigsby will greatly improve the 325s ability to stay in tune. Surely the trapeze would be another great option but half the fun of the 325 for me is it's connection with the one Lennon played.
Hey. I do the Johnny thing myself in a Beatles band, and my 325C58 is with me because of those affections, too.
With small fingers the short scale will be great for you. It's so easy to move all over the neck with this scale. There are things that are very difficult on a "regular" scale guitar that are quite do-able on the 325.
My experience with the Bigsby as opposed to other trems is that it is heavier and thus provides a better "anchor," which should stabilize the 325C58 a bit. It's so light that it can tend to fly about on you if you're an energetic player. All the tuning end of that stability can leave you quite quickly once you hit the trem. Your stringing practices will have something to do with this, too, of course (don't do the "one-wrap" thing).
One other thing -- the neck on the C58 325 isn't all that thin. The V63 and C64 necks are quite a bit thinner. My C58 has something that feels a bit like a narrower version of a Les Paul "baseball bat" neck. You'll get used to it, though.
Gear!
With small fingers the short scale will be great for you. It's so easy to move all over the neck with this scale. There are things that are very difficult on a "regular" scale guitar that are quite do-able on the 325.
My experience with the Bigsby as opposed to other trems is that it is heavier and thus provides a better "anchor," which should stabilize the 325C58 a bit. It's so light that it can tend to fly about on you if you're an energetic player. All the tuning end of that stability can leave you quite quickly once you hit the trem. Your stringing practices will have something to do with this, too, of course (don't do the "one-wrap" thing).
One other thing -- the neck on the C58 325 isn't all that thin. The V63 and C64 necks are quite a bit thinner. My C58 has something that feels a bit like a narrower version of a Les Paul "baseball bat" neck. You'll get used to it, though.
Gear!
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spencer
Gear indeed.
I thought that when I got my V63, the short scale neck would spoil me and make it difficult to play all my other full scale guitars. Such is not the case - when I play the 'others' I feel like I've got all this room to play around in.
It's not better or worse - just different.
Mine's got the accent - and I hardly use it at all, but it does work.
I thought that when I got my V63, the short scale neck would spoil me and make it difficult to play all my other full scale guitars. Such is not the case - when I play the 'others' I feel like I've got all this room to play around in.
It's not better or worse - just different.
Mine's got the accent - and I hardly use it at all, but it does work.
I agree. I've only been playing for 3 years (been a drummer all my life) and I find that playing my 325 makes it easier to play my Casino. Kaufman, Trapeze or Bigsby... it's up to the individual. I prefer the Bigsby mainly because I wanted to play the guitar that LOOKED and FELT like the one John used. Now, if only a VOX 30 or 50 would fall off a truck......
I bought my first guitar in 1967, a General Electric Guitarmate (a phonograph with an input jack to plug the included Strat-like guitar into). Two years later, I "graduated" to my second guitar, a 1967 Gibson ES-335TDC (cherry red with Bigsby tailpiece, like the one Justin Hayward plays), which cost $350, a lot of money for a paperboy in 1969! The small neck and super low action of the 335 made playing so easy, and it definitely accelerated the learning curve.
So, Tim, with a 325c58 to start out with, you should be a master guitarist in no time!
So, Tim, with a 325c58 to start out with, you should be a master guitarist in no time!
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
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lostwire
Thanks for all the replies, fellas. All the money being spent on my first guitar seems justified now considering all the feedback coming my way. Luckily I'm single at the moment because my ex-girlfriend would say otherwise
Hey Pete: what set are you playing on? I'm still very much in love with my '66 blue sparkle Ludwig down beat.
Hey Pete: what set are you playing on? I'm still very much in love with my '66 blue sparkle Ludwig down beat.
So it really is your first guitar? I wasn't clear about that after one of your replies. Well, excellent choice for a first, quality -wise. I guess it was only Johnny's fourth guitar, right?
'66 Blue Sparkle? I have a friend with a '66 (perhaps '65, not sure) Silver Sparkle set. My brother (the drummer) drools uncontrollably when he sees it. I believe he wants the cymbal stands, though, not necessarily the drums themselves.
'66 Blue Sparkle? I have a friend with a '66 (perhaps '65, not sure) Silver Sparkle set. My brother (the drummer) drools uncontrollably when he sees it. I believe he wants the cymbal stands, though, not necessarily the drums themselves.
Sorry to disagree but as someone who has played for a number of years, I kind of think that 2K on a "beginner" guitar is a bit over the top.
Then with all the modifications, it has lost it's "original condition" resale value. I know because I just went through this saga with a 325.
What happens if you realize that guitar isn't for you? ARe you going to take lessons? Can you pick up music by ear or read music? Are you a very accomplished musician that feels a need?
I am trying my best not to put my trip on you. But you sound young and not very experienced. I have you haven't paid a price that costs you much more.
I would have personally bought a little less expensive guitar and then worked up... not all of us are Johnny...
Flame on if you must because I disagree... but I don't think this was a wise buy.
Then with all the modifications, it has lost it's "original condition" resale value. I know because I just went through this saga with a 325.
What happens if you realize that guitar isn't for you? ARe you going to take lessons? Can you pick up music by ear or read music? Are you a very accomplished musician that feels a need?
I am trying my best not to put my trip on you. But you sound young and not very experienced. I have you haven't paid a price that costs you much more.
I would have personally bought a little less expensive guitar and then worked up... not all of us are Johnny...
Flame on if you must because I disagree... but I don't think this was a wise buy.
"Whatcha ya gonna do now, Rich?"
Patrick, I don't think he's young. I think he's an experienced musician who's just now getting into guitar, but who pretty much knows what he's after tonally. That being the case he's probably geared up for what he's in for with the short scale guitar.
You also gotta remind yourself that you had a tough time with the 325, while there are others of us who are doing OK with it. It's not for everyone, and that's not a put down on anybody -- just a reality. I'm kinda like you in a way -- if someone came along and wanted to swap their 360V64 for my 325C58, I'd probably do it. But I'm having a better time with the C58 that you seemed to have.
Each of us is different, and it's all good!
You also gotta remind yourself that you had a tough time with the 325, while there are others of us who are doing OK with it. It's not for everyone, and that's not a put down on anybody -- just a reality. I'm kinda like you in a way -- if someone came along and wanted to swap their 360V64 for my 325C58, I'd probably do it. But I'm having a better time with the C58 that you seemed to have.
Each of us is different, and it's all good!