If I Want To Buy A Short-Scale 325....I Can't?

[doctorwho]

... I don't think they ever offered "standard" 325's alongside vintage spec reissues at the same time, and if they did---it wasn't for very long....

I think that the two actually did overlap for a while; IIRC, though, the 'standard' issue would have been formally designated a 320 VB or, with reissue toasters, 320 VB VP; however, there are none in the registry with that designation, so maybe they were issued as 325s. If there is a one-owner example out there, it would be nice to hear from the owner.

Tommy, I applaud that you stick to your principles on acquiring instruments - although the majority of my guitars were bought used, I am like-minded when it comes to cars - I have only bought one used car (my first car) in the last 40 years.

[Tommy]

...- I have only bought one used car (my first car) in the last 40 years.

Damn, I'm just the opposite with cars. I see absolutely no reason to buy a new car - after all, it is only "new" for twelve months, then the new model comes out and makes your new car an old car. Just used cars for me. I only drive Mustangs and they ain't exactly making 1966, 1968 Mustangs any longer so used is the only option.

Used guitars - no way.
Used cars - the only way.
May be strange, but that's my way.

[customxke]

Just curious....do you think its ridiculous that ford isn't making '68 Mustangs?

[jingle_jangle]

Uh huh. It's been a great thread and we've unearthed some interesting factoids about short-scale Rickenbackers, which are darned near my favorites, although it's a close heat between shorties and every other Rick ever made

But it does seem like you've set yourself a set of impossible requirements, so a new short scale is out of your reach unless you get really lucky and score an NOS 32X at a giveaway price.

I always own at least one new car for utility purposes--generally something functional but unexciting. Then I round things out with inexpensive but tasty and interesting used cars, which have been quite reliable and cheap to insure and drive (you can only drive one at a time!), which I find here and there. I'm pretty intuitive when it comes to picking them, and typically do my research and get some great deals. Although ten years ago, when I had the space for it, I had two newbies and 5 neat oldies, I'm down to one newbie and two oldies. My favorite oldie was shipped to Brasil (CKD, in crates marked "furniture" and "metal sculpture") and is kept there for occasional use:



Rickenbackers? I've bought a few new ones, but something that most of my Ricks were either trades or purchased through Ebay--something that gives lots of people shivers. I have not gotten a single stinker through Ebay, and three of my nicest vintage Ricks came from local Craigslist ads. And then there's the one from Kenny Howes, which arrived yesterday and will be lovingly restored...

[Tommy]

Nice Woody. Nothing like an older car.

Just curious....do you think its ridiculous that ford isn't making '68 Mustangs?

Of course not. Cars change yearly. A '69 is vastly different from a '68 which is vastly different from a '66 and so on. Rather unproductive for Ford to release just a '68 to a small group of potential buyers.

Now consider this: if Ford today only released a '68 Replica Mustang with absolutely no opportunity to buy a new modern Mustang, wouldn't you consider that absurd? Well, that's what Ric is doing. A "Miami" 325 can be had...but no basic 325.

[tennis_nick]

Nice Woody. Nothing like an older car.

Just curious....do you think its ridiculous that ford isn't making '68 Mustangs?

Of course not. Cars change yearly. A '69 is vastly different from a '68 which is vastly different from a '66 and so on. Rather unproductive for Ford to release just a '68 to a small group of potential buyers.

Now consider this: if Ford today only released a '68 Replica Mustang with absolutely no opportunity to buy a new modern Mustang, wouldn't you consider that absurd? Well, that's what Ric is doing. A "Miami" 325 can be had...but no basic 325.

Yeah but... the "basic" 325 would be... pretty much a C64....

[Tommy]

Yeah but... the "basic" 325 would be... pretty much a C64....

Look, go to the Ric website. Go to the 300 series page...there are no 325s at all. Go to the "C Series" page - the guitars for collectors page - and that is the only place you will find a 325.

Now suppose you want a 360/12. You can find one under the "C Series" and under the standard "300 Series" heading. The 360/12 is available for those who want the classic replica or the standard. Why can't they do that with the 325s? Make a basic one, not just the "Miami" one.

Seriously, not everyone out there plays John in a Beatles tribute band. Some of us rhythm players want to play quickly and sloppily on a short scale. We do not seek collectors guitars.

[winston]

Tom,

You are relatively new here and you seem to have an axe to grind with Rickenbacker. This is not the place for you sharpen it. I think you have made your point so let's move on to a more pleasant discourse.

[kiramdear]

Yes, please, if i might observe that O.P.'s concerns/predicament/issues were addressed in the first page of this thread. Isn't this horse dead yet?

[Tommy]

You got it.
No axe to grind at all....just wish they would put into production the 325 again. I'd be first in line.

[jingle_jangle]

You got it.
No axe to grind at all....just wish they would put into production the 325 again. I'd be first in line.

Tommy, your RIC/Ford analogy doesn't hold, except from one direction: you want a new Rick 325, and Ford isn't making them!

You can buy a new Rick 325C64, so step to the head of the line!

Ohhh, that's right...too expensive...so what you really mean is: if you could get a new 325 from RIC for, say, $1500.00 or so, you'd step up? Well, you're almost a decade too late for that.

Time for Plan B.

[wj350]

Tom, I joined this thread rather late, and I thought I was on your side in terms of the desire to buy new, vs. used.

But this really is confusing me now. The 325 is available today, as a 325c64. Even Ric doesn't pay much attention to what the "C" means other than to acknowledge a nod to the classic build and components.

Is there a Tele or Strat or LP out there today that's not essentially a "C" series guitar? Truth be told, in terms of main stream marketeers, other than Washburn and Jackson, I don't think there's been much more than reissues from any of the manufacturers.

Bill

[customxke]

I want a 360F that costs $1200.

[paologregorio]

I want a 360F that costs $1200.

"America has a lot of good five cent cigars...they just cost ten dollars"...

"You can't always get what you want"...

[collin]

I want a 360F that costs $1200.

Yeah, and I want a standard Capri 335. C'mon Ric----why don't you guys offer a standard Capri anymore?!? I don't mean some fancy pants expensive vintage reissue Capri made for all the Gatemouth Brown tribute bands.....I mean a regular old Capri that retails for $1300 for guys like me who don't want to buy a dirty old used Capri.