3/4 Scale?

[jcreasy]

Can someone post about how and why the 3/4 scale 320/325 Rick came to be? it wasn't a student model guitar, was it? I asked a similar question awhile back about the 480s. I'm just curious what the company thinking was on that guitar.

Thanks in advance,

JKC

PS If this has been covered before, can you please post a link to the thread?

[Clint]

It was my understanding that the 3/4 scale was for lead players. The thinking was that a shorter scale would put more notes within reach, increasing speed.

[kennyhowes]

My assumption was student model.

[jcreasy]

Thanks, guys. Both answers seem off.

The 320/325 was introduced in the very late 50's? Right? Back then, wasn't the electric Spanish more of a big band/swing guitar? I know rock and roll was coming on line, but lead instruments?

As for student model, it was a hollow body with decent appointments. Albeit, not as fancy as the Capri, but nicer than the 800 solid body combos... Right?

Just a weird, quirky little guitar and I was wondering. Still, I love them, but just wondering.

Any other feedback?

JKC

PS Kenny, I have an acoustic I need to bring by for set up when you are back in town. Let me know.

[Tommy]

Two reasons:

1. thought it would be a design that would be easier for musicians to play rather than full length guitars

2. student guitar

Bacon's Ric book deals with the whys of the 325. The above two reasons are really it in a nutshell.

[iiipopes]

Yes. In the late 1950's, jazz guitarists experimented with shorter scales. Toots Thielemans, a jazz guitarist at the time, played the shorter scale for a time. The problem was that it helped the lower frets, but the higher frets were too cramped. So jazz guitarists eventually went back to conventionally scaled guitars. But John Lennon was in the market for a guitar at the same time, and had met Toots, who some sources say recommended the 325 to John. In any event, John was duly impressed with Toots' playing with the Shearing quartet, and is variously quoted something like, "If it's good enough for Toots, it's good enough for me." Finally, there is a famous picture somewhere at a music show where Toots is standing next to a display of various models of Rickenbacker guitars, and John's '58 325 is almost assuredly one of the guitars in the picture.

Gibson did the same thing with the Byrdland, developed for Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, scaled at 23 1/2 inches instead of 24 3/4 or 25 1/2. Again, it did well for the lower frets, especially for Ted Nugent grinding away, but not for extended leads.

In the early '80's, I even played my 320 in my college jazz band. I agree: it makes jazz chords quick and easy, and sounded great, especially on the neck pickup, but single lines got cramped up the neck.

[kennyhowes]

PS Kenny, I have an acoustic I need to bring by for set up when you are back in town. Let me know.

Any time!!!

[girllennon76]

Glad to stumble across this thread. I have a 325v63 and since I have small hands, I can play notes and chord combinations I wouldn't be able to do on a full scale. Granted, it gets tight further down the neck, but I'd take that over being limited by scale and short fingers

[jcreasy]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

JKC