Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Have had my 325 for about 6 months now and have been wanting to perfectly replicate that distinctive Lennon rhythm sound. Do any forum members have any advice on ideal settings for that sound?
Thanks,
Pete.

Ok, I'll try to answer that.
Firstly, there are not that many recordings by the Beatles that feature the 325... Lennon used the J160 much more in the studio, both plugged and unplugged.
That said, I think the most trademark-Lennon sound from the 325 is made using the bridge pickup, with the
tone rolled of until the treble level becomes acceptable.
The funny thing about Rickenbackers in the sixties configuration is that they have a very wide tonal range.
If you set the amp to be used with the bridge pickup, then you will likely find that the same setting will sound boomy if you select the combined neck/middle pickup (upper toggle position)
This is what I do:
Use an amp with a good midrange register ex. Vox. Set the bass and treble controls to off on the amp, thus giving you maximum midrange.
Select the middle toggle position on the 325. Set the two volumes alike, the neck tone fully clockwise, the bridgetone to approx 50%. The fifth knob approx. fully clockwise.
To my ears that setting generates a Beatles-like sound. (depending of course on the specific version 325 model you got)

Hope this helps a bit

Hello,
Interesting website I found for the Vox Valvetronix settings. Even if you do not have that amp you can still see what kind of effect settings you can use on other amps to come close.
http://www.valvetronix.net/
greetings,
Ronald (350v63 liverpool)

Ron,
The Valvetronix site works pretty well at getting close on lot's of different mixes..i tried a few blues/classic rock settings on my Ampeg R212R, clean on a Fender Frontman practice amp and rock on my EVH 5150 and it really puts them 'in the ballpark' with just a little tweaking for personal tastes...useful tool to have for quick reference to a certain sound

Thanks for posting the link...

Glen

Nice to help Glen.
I never introduced myself properly on this site, I have posted already several times. This is a good oppertunity also to give my sincere thanks to the help I have gotten here.

My name is Ronald, I am Dutch but live in Finland where I own a little hotel and do snowscooter and husky safari's.
Previously I have lived in the U.S. for ten years and Japan for three years. I am 48 and after not playing much guitar for 20 years I have picked it up again a few months ago when I was asked to sub for a member of a duo that quit while on a gig at a local resort hotel here. (I offered it as a joke after a few drinks during a party).
About six weeks ago with my renewed interest I came up onto a website called 'the canteen':
http://www.thecanteen.com/ where they feature the guitars of the fab four, and being a beatles fan(esp. John) I got very excited. (almost better than sex at this age).
So first I purchased a Epi Casino(used through an ad. in Holland) with the necessary research, serial number, contacting Epi/Gibson directly etc.
Next the Rickenbacker, a 325 I do not have yet but as you can see somewhere on this site I do now have a 350v63 'Liverpool'(through ebay, Jeff Fogerty).
I am not ready yet, still my wish list is a 325, a 4001, a hofner bass, a martin D28.
I purchased also a Vox Valvetronix ad120vt (used through a local ad.).
The guitars I already had from my youth and a bit later are a Ibanez concord hummingbird 12 string Accoustic/electric, A 6 string Aria western, a Casio(Fender Japan midi guitar)based on stratocaster and an old Greco. Basically just as a collection hobby since I never learned how to play properly, just the basic chords and so.
But now it is taking off, it goes really wel, I am happy.
Other sites that I found that strengthened my interest:
very good and well done site: www.beatlesgear.com
and the valvetronix.net as I mentioned before, and there are more.

Anyway I hope I can be helpful to others as well, last 6 to 8 weeks I have done a lot of web research on the guitars if they are fake or not, sounds and gear etc. Bought one of those korg ampworks also on ebay, interesting little tool.

The closest I ever came to a beatle was visiting the Dakota several times and talking to the doorman 2 months after 'it' happened, writing to Yoko and receiving her (x-mas)card as well, hand written. And also when living in Tokyo may Japanese teacher (Nizuma-san) happened to be a friend of Yoko and taught Japanese to John as well while she was living in New York.

Thats all I have to say for now, hope my story is enjoyable and helpful.
regards,
Ronald