Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm in the market for a 325. I've just about got the dough, but before I spend it I want to make sure which guitar I want. One one hand there's the C58 - ultra light weight, huge tone, icon of the Ed Sullivan show. And then you've got the V63 (or C64, I don't care which), which has got every get past February of 1964 to back it up, including the legendary Shea Stadium.

Here's the thing. When I think of that Beatles sound, I immediately go back to that really chunky stuff you can hear in "I Want To Hold You Hand" and "Twist and Shout". Obviously that's the V81. And of course, we've all seen how wide of a range of tonal possibilities the guitar has, with Lennon's mad triplets in "All My Loving".

Then again, there must've been a reason why Lennon retired his V81 for the DB122. Anybody want to chime in here? I'm leaning towards the C58, as I think the black and gold scheme is BEAUTIFUL, but I want opinions. What do you all think of each guitar?

Also, could anyone provide sound samples? Is it really possible to replicate that dirty sound on a C58? I've heard people call it the "mud pickup"...anyone care to elaborate on this?

Thanks,

Nick

Nick, you may as well think of it as a project to buy both, but not at the same time. Get the one you want the most to start with, then start a second fund for the other. Having owned both and another one on order I can tell you they're all a blast in different ways. The C58 IMO has a different vibe than the 60's model, but they are both cool, I don't need to tell you that. Good luck and start saving again...

Nick

John retired his first 325 because he had just acquired a brand new shiny 325 so he was going to use it, I don't think he was sentimental about it at the time, plus his original 325 was worn out. I think he used the term "hammered" to describe its condition after four years of hard work. And considering how much he used it during the early years probably equated to many more.

The guitar is only one half of the equation. If you want to nail the sound that John had you'll also need a Vox AC30 set up quite loud to get the amp working in order to get the sound that you hear on the records. Start with a neutral EQ (12 o'clock positions) and then play around with them from there but use your ears, not the positions of the dials to guide you. Trial and error should get you there.

Hope this helps.

Karl

Many studio recordings attributed to Rics were actually done with John playing his Gibson J-160E..."I Want To Hold Your Hand," "I Feel Fine, "She Loves You," much of the "Please, Please Me" LP, etc. I love my C58, but if you're trying to get the right sound on many of the tracks, it's really the J-160E sound you're hearing.

IWTHYD was not the J-160E. No way.

The muddy tone is totally the V81.

IWTHYD? What does the D stand for? (I hesitate to arsk...)

"I Wish To Have Your Daughter". That was an obscure cut, for sure.

Paul, Paul, Paul,!!! Tsk, tsk, tsk!

What is that bear doing?

I see the bear, but I don't see the guitar.