Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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Kevin Li
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Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by Kevin Li »

Ok here is the thing. I live in Beijing & I love Rickenbacker 325 C64 so I bought a second hand 2007 Ric from Japan.

but soon as I got it, my nightmare started...
1. I don't know if all Rickenbacker is like this, but my 325's paint is awful. The neck is sticky and often sticks with some white powder(Is like minces of a pick)
and is easy to leaf with finger print and finger nell scratch. Is this normal? And how does Rickenbacker factor paint their finish originally?

2.The Vibrato position is too high that it didn't put enough angle to the strings. At first I used 012~052 strings and then I switched to 013-056 but it didn't change much, the string's action is still very high and I can't adjust the bridge cuz it makes buzz on the low E string. I tried to adjust the neck but now it's dead straight and I run out of options to deal with this huge problem.

3.The rolling bridge also makes a terrible buzz noise until I change it too a custom made one. Is it just me or all the vintage stye rolling bridge is all like ****? I don't know how Lennon can stand with this guitar haha :(

4. I decided to put a Bigsby B5 on my guitar, but as soon as I did research on B5's I found out is quite completed.
I know that Lennon's Bigsby is not a selmer edition bigsby but it seem's smaller than the modern US made stander B5.
I notice there is two kind of Bigsby B5(not B50) online. First one is called WD? it's around 100$ does not come with a box, other one is around 150$ with a box. I compered with both pictures that the 150$ B5 looks exactly the same as the one on Lennon's 325. The 100$ one left frame had a rectangle bump and it seem's longer to me... But I don't know if the pic is accurate on eBay so does any expert know which one can beautifully fit on my 325 C64?

Thanks!
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cjj
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by cjj »

No, the paint on Rickenbackers is not normally like that. Until recently, Ricks have been finished with "Conversion Varnish" which is a 2-part catalyzing polyurethane. It is a very durable finish.

But, certain chemicals can cause it to deteriorate. Products containing chlorine can cause the finish to soften. There are other things that can cause this as well. It sounds like perhaps you guitar was owned by someone who used something like this to clean it, or kept it in an environment with chlorine or other such chemicals...
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by jps »

After reading this the first thing that came to mind: Did you buy a real Rick or is it possibly a counterfeit a very real concern in Asia as there are lots of fakes made there?
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

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BTW - Gung Hay Fat Choy! :D
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Kevin Li
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by Kevin Li »

jps wrote:After reading this the first thing that came to mind: Did you buy a real Rick or is it possibly a counterfeit a very real concern in Asia as there are lots of fakes made there?
Nope, but trust me, if it were a fake one it will probably play a lot better.
Last edited by Kevin Li on Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Kevin Li
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by Kevin Li »

cjj wrote:No, the paint on Rickenbackers is not normally like that. Until recently, Ricks have been finished with "Conversion Varnish" which is a 2-part catalyzing polyurethane. It is a very durable finish.

But, certain chemicals can cause it to deteriorate. Products containing chlorine can cause the finish to soften. There are other things that can cause this as well. It sounds like perhaps you guitar was owned by someone who used something like this to clean it, or kept it in an environment with chlorine or other such chemicals...

Thanks
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by jps »

Kevin Li wrote:
jps wrote:After reading this the first thing that came to mind: Did you buy a real Rick or is it possibly a counterfeit a very real concern in Asia as there are lots of fakes made there?
Nope, but trust me, if it were a fake one it will probably play a lot better.
I guess you don't need our advise. Perhaps the Chinese builders of those fakes can help you with correcting the problems on your guitar, then?
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Kevin Li
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by Kevin Li »

jps wrote:
Kevin Li wrote:
jps wrote:After reading this the first thing that came to mind: Did you buy a real Rick or is it possibly a counterfeit a very real concern in Asia as there are lots of fakes made there?
Nope, but trust me, if it were a fake one it will probably play a lot better.
I guess you don't need our advise. Perhaps the Chinese builders of those fakes can help you with correcting the problems on your guitar, then?
Yep, it might. A 500$ Chinese made Epiphone Casino with Bigsby does play a lot better than my 2500$ Rickenbacker 325. Don't get me wrong, I love my Rickenbacker, I think it's the best looking best sounding & coolest guitar in the world. But to be honest, mine doesn't play VERY well.

And for your information, Chinese doesn't make fake Rickenbacker 325 C64 cuz no one recognize a Ric 325 C64. There are only Chinese made fake Ric 325
V81 with fake bigsby or tailpiece and is not even close to a real Ric.
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by jps »

Thanks for the info on the various 325s as I admit that is one guitar that has not been of much interest to me given it's way too short scale length for my playing needs. Give me something in the 25" range and I am quite happy, thanks! 8)
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Re: Need Help! Rickenbacker 325 C64

Post by sloop_john_b »

I have read of paint issues circa 2007.

Regarding your other issues, yes the Kaufman Vibrola is junk, and yes the roller bridges rattle. This is why Lennon changed out these parts. He was a player and needed a functional instrument. The c58 is truly "warts and all".
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