Here is the main thread on VT, although I'm not sure what Joe is going on about:
http://www.voxtalks.com/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowPost&Board=VT18&Post=1788
I'm pretty sure GC made out fine on this model because until their price drop, they likely sold 3 quarters of their stock C58s for between $2399-$2599, you do the math. There is only a one year factory warranty on the finish of these guitars (plus the 5 year regular factory from the date of productionas well), so anything over that had already run out on the finish and was leaving only 3 plus years left on the original 5 year factory warranty. I think dumping them was a good choice and we all got to take advantage of it. I think there were less than 3 dozen units blown out, so I can't see that it is a global disaster when I know that thousands of these guitars have already been made and more were just shipped over the last few weeks.
328C58 - Low Resale Value?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Guys,
I picked up 10 325C58's from a couple different GC's. From what I understand, the chain is now completely out of them across the nation.
Also, according to the store managers I've spoken too GC's will remain authorized Rick dealers but do not plan on carrying any new Rick models, including the 325C64 or 360C6312.
If anyone is interested in buying one of the 325C58's from me please email me at [email protected] The guitars are in good to near mint condition to meet the needs of the the Beatles players or collectors.
I plan on listing the 325C58 Ricks on eBay but wanted to post here first.
Jim
[email protected]
I picked up 10 325C58's from a couple different GC's. From what I understand, the chain is now completely out of them across the nation.
Also, according to the store managers I've spoken too GC's will remain authorized Rick dealers but do not plan on carrying any new Rick models, including the 325C64 or 360C6312.
If anyone is interested in buying one of the 325C58's from me please email me at [email protected] The guitars are in good to near mint condition to meet the needs of the the Beatles players or collectors.
I plan on listing the 325C58 Ricks on eBay but wanted to post here first.
Jim
[email protected]
So Rickenbackers will be available from GC only by "special order" (why else would they remain "authorized dealers"?)?
I did mention to one of the Nashville managers that I'd heard that 325C58s were being moved out quickly to make room for the 325C64s. I pretty much got a non-reply to that comment (validating what you're saying).
So GC will sell Gibsons, Fenders, and imports (??). Well IMO it's a sad day when the highest quality US guitar maker gets shut out by the biggest retail outlet.
I did mention to one of the Nashville managers that I'd heard that 325C58s were being moved out quickly to make room for the 325C64s. I pretty much got a non-reply to that comment (validating what you're saying).
So GC will sell Gibsons, Fenders, and imports (??). Well IMO it's a sad day when the highest quality US guitar maker gets shut out by the biggest retail outlet.
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adam_swapp
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I dunno. A month ago, the San Jose GC had two Ricks in stock - both were 325's. They're both gone, but there are now 2 330's on the wall in their place.
Maybe I should have bought one at the blowout price when I had the chance. However, I didn't want it for myself, and I didn't feel like going through the hassle of selling it. I guess somebody owes me because they got one cheap.
There's a reason GC had those things for so long - a lot of people just don't like them as guitars. Frankly (and this is only *my* opinion), even the sale price was more than it was worth as an instrument.
For those who do own one - how many of you honestly bought it as a working guitar? I would really like to know if it gives you musical options you didn't have before, or if you bought it primarily for the emotional and/or aesthetic appeal.
Maybe I should have bought one at the blowout price when I had the chance. However, I didn't want it for myself, and I didn't feel like going through the hassle of selling it. I guess somebody owes me because they got one cheap.
There's a reason GC had those things for so long - a lot of people just don't like them as guitars. Frankly (and this is only *my* opinion), even the sale price was more than it was worth as an instrument.
For those who do own one - how many of you honestly bought it as a working guitar? I would really like to know if it gives you musical options you didn't have before, or if you bought it primarily for the emotional and/or aesthetic appeal.
You want to put that where?
Adam,
In response to your comments and questions above:
IMO the 325C58 was definitely worth the $799 as an instrument. I believe it's probably worth more (perhaps twice that), but I would not have paid $2499 for it nor will I pay anything like that for a 325C64.
I do play the guitar live and I did buy it as working instrument. One thing to note, though: I ordered the vintage -style Rickenbacker trapeze tailpiece (which fits onto the same tail bracket as the Kaufmann) immediately after confirming the purchase of the 325C58. I knew that I would not be gigging with the Kaufmann. As bought, "out of the box," this isn't a guitar to take on stage. I really think that Rickenbacker should sell this guitar with the trapeze as an included accessory so the 325C58 will be a more viable instrument for performing.
In response to your comments and questions above:
IMO the 325C58 was definitely worth the $799 as an instrument. I believe it's probably worth more (perhaps twice that), but I would not have paid $2499 for it nor will I pay anything like that for a 325C64.
I do play the guitar live and I did buy it as working instrument. One thing to note, though: I ordered the vintage -style Rickenbacker trapeze tailpiece (which fits onto the same tail bracket as the Kaufmann) immediately after confirming the purchase of the 325C58. I knew that I would not be gigging with the Kaufmann. As bought, "out of the box," this isn't a guitar to take on stage. I really think that Rickenbacker should sell this guitar with the trapeze as an included accessory so the 325C58 will be a more viable instrument for performing.
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spencer
I was in GC Saturday, only to pick up a daisy chain 9v adapter for my tuner pedal. (only one wall-wart now!) I inquired about Rics, playing a little dumb : 'So where's all those little Lennon Rickys?' I asked if they blew them out to make room for the rest of the C series and the guy said they wouldn't be stocking those. I say 'Cmon man, those are Beatle guitars' the reply I got was 'whatever man, they don't sell'
This from a guy that looked just like Sammy Hagar.
This from a guy that looked just like Sammy Hagar.
It probably was Sammy.
I can see, though, that guitars like the 325 models don't sell well in today's market. Todays' market isn't about time and work to make music with a well made instrument. Today's market is about providing a guitar with which you can play two strings at a time, to drive your high gain amp through which most guitars sound the same. Hence the popularity of import slabs with cheap electronics.
I can see, though, that guitars like the 325 models don't sell well in today's market. Todays' market isn't about time and work to make music with a well made instrument. Today's market is about providing a guitar with which you can play two strings at a time, to drive your high gain amp through which most guitars sound the same. Hence the popularity of import slabs with cheap electronics.
It seems as though some of us who have purchased a 325C58 Rick from the GC during the Labor Day sale may have little experience playing them. Consequently, a few individuals are criticizing the 3/4 sized guitars based on their late 50's stock configuration or unique tone and playability.
It is important to remember that these guitars are reproductions of the originals. Therefore, they may not compare with new guitars and technology that some of us are accustomed to using on a daily basis. Yes, the 325C58’s are smaller sized guitars…yes, the Kaufman gets in the way and can cause damage to the top of the guitar if pressed down on…..yes, the control knobs aren’t the most functional and they are wired a little differently....…etc…..etc…....etc.
The Beatles and other groups purchased these type guitars as that is what was available, priced within their budget or hip at the time. Many of these 50’s-60’s groups transitioned into playing other guitars later on in their careers. In many ways I would not expect the 325C58 to exceed expectations if you are accustomed to playing full-scale guitars. (Strats, Tele's, Les Pauls, 335’s, PRS’s, Gretsch 6120’s, etc.)
Bottom line.....guitar manufacturer’s offer their individual guitar body styling’s, every model instrument has it’s unique appearance and every model has it’s individual qualities. The Rickenbacker 325C58 are what they are.......exact replica's of the guitars Rickenbacker manufactured in the late 1950's.
If you want the Fab look, sound and feel...this is THE guitar for you!!! The 325C58 will play very close to the original and provide the Fab sound as produced by the Beatles. With a few cosmetic changes and wiring modifications the 325C58 WILL deliver dead on the visual and tone target. Everyone guitar player (especially Beatle fans) should have one of these 325’s in their arsenal.
Either way, enjoy them while you have them!!!
Jim
It is important to remember that these guitars are reproductions of the originals. Therefore, they may not compare with new guitars and technology that some of us are accustomed to using on a daily basis. Yes, the 325C58’s are smaller sized guitars…yes, the Kaufman gets in the way and can cause damage to the top of the guitar if pressed down on…..yes, the control knobs aren’t the most functional and they are wired a little differently....…etc…..etc…....etc.
The Beatles and other groups purchased these type guitars as that is what was available, priced within their budget or hip at the time. Many of these 50’s-60’s groups transitioned into playing other guitars later on in their careers. In many ways I would not expect the 325C58 to exceed expectations if you are accustomed to playing full-scale guitars. (Strats, Tele's, Les Pauls, 335’s, PRS’s, Gretsch 6120’s, etc.)
Bottom line.....guitar manufacturer’s offer their individual guitar body styling’s, every model instrument has it’s unique appearance and every model has it’s individual qualities. The Rickenbacker 325C58 are what they are.......exact replica's of the guitars Rickenbacker manufactured in the late 1950's.
If you want the Fab look, sound and feel...this is THE guitar for you!!! The 325C58 will play very close to the original and provide the Fab sound as produced by the Beatles. With a few cosmetic changes and wiring modifications the 325C58 WILL deliver dead on the visual and tone target. Everyone guitar player (especially Beatle fans) should have one of these 325’s in their arsenal.
Either way, enjoy them while you have them!!!
Jim
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adam_swapp
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There are several reasons that I didn't buy one when I had the chance:
- I thought it was too much money for a guitar that needed immediate mods (e.g. replacing/pinning the Kauffman) to be usable.
- I didn't like the feel of the neck.
- I didn't like the third pickup.
- The vibrato arm was in the way.
- Even though the Beatles are my favorite band, emulating John Lennon holds no appeal for me.
This boils to this: I'm cheap, I didn't like the feel of it, and I'm comfortable in my own skin. All that aside, though, I had no problems with the workmanship of the guitar to the degree that I inspected it. It seemed to be a well-made instrument.
- I thought it was too much money for a guitar that needed immediate mods (e.g. replacing/pinning the Kauffman) to be usable.
- I didn't like the feel of the neck.
- I didn't like the third pickup.
- The vibrato arm was in the way.
- Even though the Beatles are my favorite band, emulating John Lennon holds no appeal for me.
This boils to this: I'm cheap, I didn't like the feel of it, and I'm comfortable in my own skin. All that aside, though, I had no problems with the workmanship of the guitar to the degree that I inspected it. It seemed to be a well-made instrument.
You want to put that where?
Adam,
Hey. Correct me if I'm off base...
The 325C58 is indeed a reissue of the 325 model/type that Lennon bought in Hamburg, but it's also a reissue of the initial production run of the model 325, right (John's was the second one stamped with a serial number, I believe)? As such the 325C58 isn't only a "Lennon" guitar, but is just as much a celebration of the 325 model itself.
Indeed, one might argue that since the 325C58 is identical to the stock 1958 325 model (Kaufmann, funky knobs, etc.) that the latter is more the case than the former. Were it truly a "Lennon" model it would have a Bigsby and Burns knobs, right?
Sorry if that's splitting hairs (i.e., who would have cared about the 325 if Lennon hadn't played one, etc.), but I was under the impression that some other artists of significance had played & recorded with 325s, in addition to John Lennon/The Beatles (John Fogerty, Tom Petty)... & while the 325s that Fogerty & Petty played might not have been identical to the 325C58, the character of the C58 as a reissue of the intial 325 brings their use of the 325 into relevance here (at least as I see it).
All that being said:
I agree that the Kaufmann is a silly piece of hardware (see my comment above that IMO a trapeze should sell with this guitar in addition to the Kaufmann)...
The neck is chunky and does take some getting used to...
The middle pickup does get it in the way (I, in fact, may remove the middle pickup from my 325C58 completely)...
Hey. Correct me if I'm off base...
The 325C58 is indeed a reissue of the 325 model/type that Lennon bought in Hamburg, but it's also a reissue of the initial production run of the model 325, right (John's was the second one stamped with a serial number, I believe)? As such the 325C58 isn't only a "Lennon" guitar, but is just as much a celebration of the 325 model itself.
Indeed, one might argue that since the 325C58 is identical to the stock 1958 325 model (Kaufmann, funky knobs, etc.) that the latter is more the case than the former. Were it truly a "Lennon" model it would have a Bigsby and Burns knobs, right?
Sorry if that's splitting hairs (i.e., who would have cared about the 325 if Lennon hadn't played one, etc.), but I was under the impression that some other artists of significance had played & recorded with 325s, in addition to John Lennon/The Beatles (John Fogerty, Tom Petty)... & while the 325s that Fogerty & Petty played might not have been identical to the 325C58, the character of the C58 as a reissue of the intial 325 brings their use of the 325 into relevance here (at least as I see it).
All that being said:
I agree that the Kaufmann is a silly piece of hardware (see my comment above that IMO a trapeze should sell with this guitar in addition to the Kaufmann)...
The neck is chunky and does take some getting used to...
The middle pickup does get it in the way (I, in fact, may remove the middle pickup from my 325C58 completely)...
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beatlesgear
"Indeed, one might argue that since the 325C58 is identical to the stock 1958 325 model (Kaufmann, funky knobs, etc.) that the latter is more the case than the former. Were it truly a "Lennon" model it would have a Bigsby and Burns knobs, right?"
No. Lennon payed it out live longer with the stock features than the with either the Hofner knobs (7 months) or Burns knobs (8 Months) when it was black, no kidding. The longest configuration used by Lennon was actually natural finish, B5 and radio knobs (just over a year). Although, one might argue that since the guitar remained stock for almost 3 years, from the point it was shipped to Germany in October '58, then bought by Lennon in October '60 and the first mods were performed the following summer. A stock '58 might be the longest configuration.
No. Lennon payed it out live longer with the stock features than the with either the Hofner knobs (7 months) or Burns knobs (8 Months) when it was black, no kidding. The longest configuration used by Lennon was actually natural finish, B5 and radio knobs (just over a year). Although, one might argue that since the guitar remained stock for almost 3 years, from the point it was shipped to Germany in October '58, then bought by Lennon in October '60 and the first mods were performed the following summer. A stock '58 might be the longest configuration.
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kennyhowes
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So, Nick -
Having said all of that, did the Alder 325 go under the bed once JL got the '64 325? And, in the end, which 325 got more use?
Aside: It is pretty interesting, the iconic (sp?) stature of Beatle guitars, considering the relatively short time they were used. (Does not apply wholly to the Beatles: Pete Townshend only used a Ric for the first Who album and some early singles, yet because of a really cool poster is forever linked to them! He probably used Les Pauls [the "numbered" ones] for a longer period of time. But I digress.)
Having said all of that, did the Alder 325 go under the bed once JL got the '64 325? And, in the end, which 325 got more use?
Aside: It is pretty interesting, the iconic (sp?) stature of Beatle guitars, considering the relatively short time they were used. (Does not apply wholly to the Beatles: Pete Townshend only used a Ric for the first Who album and some early singles, yet because of a really cool poster is forever linked to them! He probably used Les Pauls [the "numbered" ones] for a longer period of time. But I digress.)
Let's see (not that I'm Nick...)...
"Hamburg" 325 (Alder, Kaufmann, full hollow): 1960 to 1964 (Feb 64), encompassing the British Beatlemania period and most of the early material recording...
"Miami" 325 (semi-hollow, Accent Vibrato): 1964 to 1966 (?), dropped at some point resulting in a headstock crack and as yet unrepaired.
The Miami, though used for a shorter period, is the guitar seen on "Hard Day's Night" and "Help!", and is the guitar that was played at Shea Stadium. It's also the Jetglo with white pickguard and trussrod cover (the '58 had the gold pickguard & t-rod cover), which seems to be the "expected" appearance for Lennon's 325.
So my answer (not that I am Nick) would be that the original '58 got the most use while the '64 325 seems to be the guitar of the two most visually associated with Lennon. I imagine, actually, that most of the more 'casual' Beatles fan "public" probably implicitly assumes Lennon's 325s are actually one guitar (even though there were four 325s used by Lennon altogether, right Nick?).
"Hamburg" 325 (Alder, Kaufmann, full hollow): 1960 to 1964 (Feb 64), encompassing the British Beatlemania period and most of the early material recording...
"Miami" 325 (semi-hollow, Accent Vibrato): 1964 to 1966 (?), dropped at some point resulting in a headstock crack and as yet unrepaired.
The Miami, though used for a shorter period, is the guitar seen on "Hard Day's Night" and "Help!", and is the guitar that was played at Shea Stadium. It's also the Jetglo with white pickguard and trussrod cover (the '58 had the gold pickguard & t-rod cover), which seems to be the "expected" appearance for Lennon's 325.
So my answer (not that I am Nick) would be that the original '58 got the most use while the '64 325 seems to be the guitar of the two most visually associated with Lennon. I imagine, actually, that most of the more 'casual' Beatles fan "public" probably implicitly assumes Lennon's 325s are actually one guitar (even though there were four 325s used by Lennon altogether, right Nick?).