Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm torn between one of these two beautiful guitars. i'd get them both, but can't afford to. My question is: which one is the better player? is it the 350 because of the long neck, or is it the 325 because of the short scale and fast playability? Thanks in advance

Hey. It's really going to depend more on you than on the guitar(s). Some people simply cannot play a 325 well because their hands/fingers just aren't suited to the short scale. I love my 325v63 & find it very much a joy to play. I have it, though, because someone else was quite happy to do an even swap for a Jetglo 360v64-6 -- the 325 was just too hard for them to play.

You need to find a 325 and spend a bit of time with it, if possible, so you can see for yourself it it will, or won't work for you.

Good luck!

I like the 350 because the scale length is quite similar to my assortment of Stratocasters. They have been my main guitar for many years now.

I like to be able to play an instrument without having to look at the neck. The ability to be able to play in the dark has really come in handy at times.

The 350 allows me to play in my preferred manner. But like Lawton said you really need to spend some time with each instrument before you can choose. This yearning that many of us have for Rickenbackers, can easily turn out to be a life long commitment. Good luck with your research.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

I have a 325V63 & a 325C58, both are a joy to play. I also have an Ovation Ballader Electric / Acoustic that is standard scale. I don't have any problem going from standard scale to 3/4 scale, you just have to get use to it. As Lawton stated, you should really try out a 325 and get the feel for it. You may find you quite enjoy the smaller 325. They are truly a blast to play - JMO. Good luck with your decision & welcome to the Forum, Cheers!

Welcome from me too, Matt. I agree with the posts above...... I would try before buying a short scale, even if it's not a Rick!.

Hey, Matt--welcome!!

I cut my teeth on short scale guitars with a new '67 Fender Mustang back then. Really enjoyed the fast feel of the neck. Since then I've always had at least one shorty.

Of my four Ricks, two are shorties and two standard scale. I have little difficulty switching back and forth; as David says you just have to get used to it. For tortuously fast chording and quick leads nothing beats 'em.

The only caveat is that you can't have tuna can fingers--your fingers should be slender to fit.

I go the chance to play a 325c58 awhile back, and I was astounded at how short the 'short scale' was. 20.75" is *really* short.

I like the visual balance of the 325 - the neck on the 350 doesn't quite fit the size of the body in my opinion. But still, for my hands, the 350 is probably the more 'practical' guitar. The 325 just seems so... cute. I'd love to have a 325, but I'm not sure I can justify the money versus overall usefulness. Unless I got a good deal... Anyone selling?

Matt,

I've owned both, but I sold my 350. It's one of those things you almost need to audition (if you can), short scale or not. Your preference. What's comfortable to you? And Ethan is right, the scale on a 325 is very short.

BTW, welcome to the fold.

C58s and V59s are not all that's out there in short scales. There are vintage 320s as well, and they are a good deal cheaper, in general, than the reissues. If you simply must have a vibrato, it takes only a few minutes to fit a Bigsby and bowtie bridge, at a cost of about $150.00 extra.

I love my 325C58's, but for playability (is that a word?) I prefer my 350. I think the longer scale just fits me better. That is the only reason that I would pick one over the other.

Hey guys.. i really appreciate your responses. I briefly messed around with a short scale guitar.. one of those student guitars daisy rock or something.. i think they're short scales and i think my fingers are a lil too big for them.. i have somewhat long lanky fingers and am not sure i could play it very well. the 350 it is... is there much sound difference between the two?

A Daisy Rock, huh? Gosh, Matt, methinks you visited a Guitar Center...

Don't know if your impressions were accurate; the scale length may have been similar, but the "feel" is so much more than that. I too have long, lanky fingers, and the short scale on a Rick or Fender Duo-Sonic is a dream.

I will let others comment on the sound difference, never having done an A>B test on these two.

I'll echo Paul on that.... A Ric short-scale is a dream to play if you have long, skinny fingers!

Oh yeah, I always forget about the regular issue short scales! I should look into a late 70s or early 80s 320.

Anyone know if the 320 shift to 24 frets in the early 70s like the rest of the 300 series?