Lawton,
Thanks for your comments. Once I got all the bugs worked out, I kind of really hated to part with the 325... that is, until I picked up the 360.
I didn't even take the 325 to the guitar show originally because I was so uncertain of selling. When I tried the 360, I drove over an hour each direction to get the 325 and get the deal done. And I certainly didn't get a "dollar for dollar" trade in the deal. I didn't get the vintage case (but as I told the guy from Dave's "You don't play the case..."). So it wasn't a done deal from the beginning...
That being said, I still question buying such a top end "difficult" guitar and modifying it without playing for a while to see if it is right for you. Unlike cars, which are unreturnable, or heart transplants, you can always sell a guitar... under certain conditions. And I think that the "resale" value of having the guitar as made with mods is now gone. When I sold mine, many of the people who looked at it liked the fact that it was not modified. I don't think I would have gotten $1250 for it.
I just think that when it comes to a new insturment, whether guitar or drums or trombone or flute, you don't go out and buy the most expensive thing first. As we all know, in the beginning, guitars get knocked about, you take it and out of the case, you sit in a chair, you forget to take off your belt buckle, etc. You don't know how many nicks and scars my guitars have gained through the years just out of sheer carelessness. And it would be a shame for his prized guitar to end up this way.
I just know how most folks are with new instruments, that's all. After all, it was his money to spend, not mine.
And we all know that opinions are like belly buttons... everybody has one and most of them are fuzzy! LOL!
The countdown begins
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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spencer
"in the beginning, guitars get knocked about"
Go take a look at some pictures of Lennon's 58' 325 - Talk about beat-to-hell. lol.
If you've got the means - get a good first guitar. At least you're not day-dreaming about the guitar you REALLY wanted while you're learning chords on your ****** 'Cort' - like I did.
And I think your first 'prized guitar' should end up dinged and beaten ten years down the road. And if you only learn three chords - big whoop - have fun man.
Go take a look at some pictures of Lennon's 58' 325 - Talk about beat-to-hell. lol.
If you've got the means - get a good first guitar. At least you're not day-dreaming about the guitar you REALLY wanted while you're learning chords on your ****** 'Cort' - like I did.
And I think your first 'prized guitar' should end up dinged and beaten ten years down the road. And if you only learn three chords - big whoop - have fun man.
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lostwire
Those who know me believe I'm still a kid at heart (& an immature one at that), but at 37 years of age I'm certainly not being asked for my I.D. at the liquor store anymore. 
A brief background of my musical history would show I come from a family of stringed musicians, began playing the drums in fifth grade, switched to synthesizers in the early eighties & have been a songwriter for nearly twenty years. I'm well aware of the pains of learning how to play an instrument with sub-par equipment (these oval drums can't be tuned, the bass pedal hangs up, wobbly hat stand, my synths action sucks, etc.). Now that I'm in a position to afford myself a quality instrument right from the starting gate I'm imagining it will be a joy to play; something I won't be fighting to behave properly.
That said, I did bring along a friend who is a veteran guitar player to thoroughly check out the 325 before I made my deposit. He gave it the thumbs up, saying it played beautifully & had a great sound (before muttering about how he himself needs a 360 12).
On the subject of modifying this guitar, I believe it would be a safe bet to say there are just as many people out there who would be looking for a Lennon-fied 325 as there are those looking for a virgin instrument. When I was shopping around myself I gladly would have picked one up but being able to put one on lay-a-way was much more realistic. Anytime one modifies something from it's original condition the value drops but I have no plans of selling this 325 since it will be my first guitar & expect it to hold quite a sentimental value.
A brief background of my musical history would show I come from a family of stringed musicians, began playing the drums in fifth grade, switched to synthesizers in the early eighties & have been a songwriter for nearly twenty years. I'm well aware of the pains of learning how to play an instrument with sub-par equipment (these oval drums can't be tuned, the bass pedal hangs up, wobbly hat stand, my synths action sucks, etc.). Now that I'm in a position to afford myself a quality instrument right from the starting gate I'm imagining it will be a joy to play; something I won't be fighting to behave properly.
That said, I did bring along a friend who is a veteran guitar player to thoroughly check out the 325 before I made my deposit. He gave it the thumbs up, saying it played beautifully & had a great sound (before muttering about how he himself needs a 360 12).
On the subject of modifying this guitar, I believe it would be a safe bet to say there are just as many people out there who would be looking for a Lennon-fied 325 as there are those looking for a virgin instrument. When I was shopping around myself I gladly would have picked one up but being able to put one on lay-a-way was much more realistic. Anytime one modifies something from it's original condition the value drops but I have no plans of selling this 325 since it will be my first guitar & expect it to hold quite a sentimental value.
All valid points made by everyone... SPencer, Lawton and yourself, Tim... And it will have great sentimental value. Just ask me about the Harmony Hollywood that was my first guitar. I got more than a little upset when my son took it out of the house the other day without asking first. I am glad he wants to play it but it does have meaning.
That's what is great about this forum... no cursing, flaming or venting... just opinion.
Thanks all!
That's what is great about this forum... no cursing, flaming or venting... just opinion.
Thanks all!
"Whatcha ya gonna do now, Rich?"
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lostwire
Well I'll be picking up the 325 this Saturday, & to be quite honest the clock has become my enemy.
Unfortunately Chris is still waiting on all the parts for the Lennon mods which means I'll have to take another ride over there in a week or two, but in the meantime I'll be playing my first chords on her just as she left the factory in '58. Since I'll be bringing her back soon for the mods anyway would it be a waste of time restringing her with Pyramids now? Will they be much more forgiving on my virgin finger tips?
Unfortunately Chris is still waiting on all the parts for the Lennon mods which means I'll have to take another ride over there in a week or two, but in the meantime I'll be playing my first chords on her just as she left the factory in '58. Since I'll be bringing her back soon for the mods anyway would it be a waste of time restringing her with Pyramids now? Will they be much more forgiving on my virgin finger tips?
Tim:
I can relate. Like a kid on Christmas Eve! But once you get it, you'll be in heaven. I wanted one since I saw John play it on TV on the Sullivan Show. After 40 some years of being a drummer, and playing with some famous and not so famous bands, I finally decided to learn and play guitar.
I bought a Strat as my fist guitar, then an Epiphone Casino, and finally my 325. After I had the Lennon mods done, I find I just can't put it down when I practice, at least 2 hrs a day.
Like many have said of the 325, you either love it or hate it. I love it. And it seems, so do you!
So break out those cd's, plug her in and GO MAN GO!
I can relate. Like a kid on Christmas Eve! But once you get it, you'll be in heaven. I wanted one since I saw John play it on TV on the Sullivan Show. After 40 some years of being a drummer, and playing with some famous and not so famous bands, I finally decided to learn and play guitar.
I bought a Strat as my fist guitar, then an Epiphone Casino, and finally my 325. After I had the Lennon mods done, I find I just can't put it down when I practice, at least 2 hrs a day.
Like many have said of the 325, you either love it or hate it. I love it. And it seems, so do you!
So break out those cd's, plug her in and GO MAN GO!
Ditto Pete. I love mine, also (& the only mod on mine is the trapeze instead of the Kauffman). Regarding the string issue, I received mine strung with a 10-46 set and therefore not particulary playable (factory?!? I can't see how, but I hear it happens!??). Proper gauge flats will make the guitar more playable for you. An improper gauge of rounds will ruin the guitar for you.
I'd be willing to bet some money that alot of the 325C58s we see being ditched on ebay are owned by disappointed people who have no clue as to what type/gauge string works on this guitar. Why Rickenbacker doesn't ship this guitar with a set of 12 or 13 flats is something that I don't really understand.
I'd be willing to bet some money that alot of the 325C58s we see being ditched on ebay are owned by disappointed people who have no clue as to what type/gauge string works on this guitar. Why Rickenbacker doesn't ship this guitar with a set of 12 or 13 flats is something that I don't really understand.
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lostwire
"Hey Tim!
Did you get your 325?? Are your fingers too sore to type from playing??? LOL!
Hope ya got it and are having a ball!!"
Did I get it?! I was there the second they opened on Saturday!
Once I got home I successfully restrung her with Pyramids & I've been playing pretty much non-stop (well, at least until the strings turn to razors & then I have to take a break). So far I've only been messing with three chords I saw on a web site, trying to get each note clean & attempting to move from one to the other which so far has proved pretty difficult. The three chords are: Am D7 Em.
I'm hoping if I do this long enough my fingers will get stronger & the tips will get tougher (at least that's what I hear). Surprisingly my right hand feels pretty comfortable while strumming up & down in a variety of patterns which is what I hoped since I come from a drumming background. I'm really looking forward to the day that this pathetically weak left hand of mine will start cooperating!
Anyway here's a picture of her resting against my pride & joy. The arm from the Kaufman came off pretty quick because I kept smashing my hand into it, & I ended up putting two small pieces of a matchbook cover beneath the Kaufman's springs because they were buzzing against the body (probably messing up the finish as well). Seems to have cured most of that annoying rattle/buzz while I await the B5 etc.
Did you get your 325?? Are your fingers too sore to type from playing??? LOL!
Hope ya got it and are having a ball!!"
Did I get it?! I was there the second they opened on Saturday!
Once I got home I successfully restrung her with Pyramids & I've been playing pretty much non-stop (well, at least until the strings turn to razors & then I have to take a break). So far I've only been messing with three chords I saw on a web site, trying to get each note clean & attempting to move from one to the other which so far has proved pretty difficult. The three chords are: Am D7 Em.
I'm hoping if I do this long enough my fingers will get stronger & the tips will get tougher (at least that's what I hear). Surprisingly my right hand feels pretty comfortable while strumming up & down in a variety of patterns which is what I hoped since I come from a drumming background. I'm really looking forward to the day that this pathetically weak left hand of mine will start cooperating!
Anyway here's a picture of her resting against my pride & joy. The arm from the Kaufman came off pretty quick because I kept smashing my hand into it, & I ended up putting two small pieces of a matchbook cover beneath the Kaufman's springs because they were buzzing against the body (probably messing up the finish as well). Seems to have cured most of that annoying rattle/buzz while I await the B5 etc.
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lostwire
****You are now in the small circle of musicians that when you take the Ric out of it's case, people say "Wow! NICE GUITAR!" ****
It's going to be quite some time before this guitar is taken out in front of other musicians since I'm just learning how to play, but I do look forward to the day when my ability reaches a level where I can do it justice.
****Have fun with it. Learn as much as you can and everytime you play it, think to yourself, "They sure wrote songs with a lot of 7ths!" LOL!"****
A guitarist friend of mine is coming over tonight to teach me "I Want to Hold Your Hand" so I am incredibly excited to actually have something to practice! It sure beats "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore", wouldn't you say?
It's going to be quite some time before this guitar is taken out in front of other musicians since I'm just learning how to play, but I do look forward to the day when my ability reaches a level where I can do it justice.
****Have fun with it. Learn as much as you can and everytime you play it, think to yourself, "They sure wrote songs with a lot of 7ths!" LOL!"****
A guitarist friend of mine is coming over tonight to teach me "I Want to Hold Your Hand" so I am incredibly excited to actually have something to practice! It sure beats "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore", wouldn't you say?
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lostwire
