Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Choice of 3.....

381V69 Blue Boy

350SH

325C58 Natural Finish

I'm not interested in how rare the guitar is, just how good it plays/sounds and overall quality of build.

Based on my very limited knowledge, either of the first 2 should be fine. I seriously doubt you would be happy with a short-scale guitar.

Gotta admit i've never played a short-scale Ric, but i have heard that the 325C58 sounds fantastic.

I've never set hands on a 381 either and as for the 350SH, I'm just a sucker for double bound guitars.

I've got a budget of £2,500 UK

Steve-- A few words of caution: Be sure a short-scale model is to your liking before plunking down the cash. The tone may not be enough compensation if the guitar doesn't feel or play right for you. A short-scale RIC ISN'T for everyone.

I'd go for the 350SH. Its a beautiful guitar and very collectable.
The 381 is beautiful but quite bulky and possibly a bit fragile for everyday use.
A short scale is a lot of fun to play those Beatles and CCR songs but limited for general use. Get a second hand v series for half the money unless Beatles authenticity is important to you or you are really into Beatles music.
You dont say what you already own.
I own a 360v64 and 660/12 (my main guitars), a 325v63 for kicks and just ordered a 730/12 accoustic to complete (ha ha) my set.

Go 350SH! I remember seeing one in NYC at a "famous" guitar store when it first came out and thinking, "how am I gonna get $1300 together for that thing?" (I think that's about what it was).

This is so exciting to have my 2nd posting ever on this forum (lol).

Philip: I have 330FG, 360FG, 360BT MID, 360V64MG, 350V63BG and 370/12DG.

How do the Ric accoustics compare with the likes of Martin, Gibson etc?
Also I've never really heard much about the "Jazz Bo" - Anyone got one?

The trouble that I have is Aberdeen's music stores seldom stock Rickenbackers and if they do, they are standard fireglo 330's or 360's.
I have to rely a lot on internet reviews or word of mouth to buy a new Ric.

Hmmmmm they are all 300 series. Thought of a 660/12?. They are superb. A 325 would fit in well there. I have no idea what a ric acoustic sounds like but its going to look great in fireglo next to my other two. I'd still say the SH model but then you already have a 350.
Maybe a 380lpz, a 600 something, a 325 or an acoustic. Why not order all 4. They will probably arrive at 6 month intervals anyway.

A word about the 381/v69: stunning. The 381/v69 is a joy to behold and a delight to play. And I don't see how anyone who has ever owned one could ever refer to the 381 as "bulky" or "fragile;" mine was certainly neither. They are a mere fraction of the heft of a Les Paul, and built like a bank vault. I would add, however, that the choice of a "Blue Boy" finish seems peculiar for a 381. The maple RIC uses for the 381 is of such high quality that a Mapleglow or Fireglow finish would seem a more aesthetically-pleasing choice.

This raises the question of, "Who's playing this thing, and how, and to do what?" So far, many wise souls have told you what THEY'D buy if they were you, but the point is, they aren't going to play your guitar for you. So what do you want this guitar to do for you? Do you intend to hang it on the wall and look at it? Are you amusing yourself playing along with CD's at home? Are you on the road 200 nights a year; are are you playing lead, rhythm...and on blues, metal, folk, country, gospel, zydeco...what?????? Please advise; otherwise, all we're doing is projecting our desires and intentions onto you.

As for me, I've never "gotten" the appeal of the 3/4-scale guitars, and wouldn't have one if I found it under a Christmas tree. Unless you have tiny hands, play no complex lead work, and don't ever play above the 5th fret; or you anticipate growing up to become John Lennon, I'd advise going in the direction of a considerably more...versatile...instrument than the 325.

What's with the 350/SH? Is there some particular attraction to the instrument itself, or is this a measure of your devotion to the Bangles and the wonderfully pneumatic Ms Hoffs? If that it, this certainly seems like a lot of lucre for a souvenier...could I interest you in a Bonnie Raitt Strat?

lol, I can assure you that any attraction to the Bangles is purely non-musical

I agree with you on the 381. The reason why I put down that finish is because I know someone who is selling one. I'm also worried that the Blue Boy finish might yellow with age, like the Tuxedos.

I play in pubs and clubs in Aberdeen and Edinburgh from Sunday to Thursday - Mostly Rock and sometimes a bit of Classical (Some classical peices sound superb on 12 string)

Can't see me ever making the charts though - I'm too old and ugly for that now

Wileyibex said: "What's with the 350/SH? Is there some particular attraction to the instrument itself, or is this a measure of your devotion to the Bangles and the wonderfully pneumatic Ms Hoffs? If that it, this certainly seems like a lot of lucre for a souvenier..."

Ugh

Whats *with* the 350SH? Its one of the finest 6 string guitars ever produced by RIC... period. Ms Hoffs IS mighty fine, but it really wouldnt matter if the pickguard was signed by Moms Mabley



Maybe you should hold out for the 350MM Steve!

Looks like Moms was going thru her "Gilligan" phase. Skipper! ha ha

Moms looks like she has that, "Come to Moms, Skipper;" look on her face. I'd be very afraid.

Vickie is my personal favorite Bangle. I know her a bit, and she's a very nice and talented lady. Plays Gretsches. Quite well. Hmmm...anyway...

Cerealy, though, please tell me what's so great about the 350SH? Specifically,
(a) What distinguishes the 350SH from any of the 320/325/350 "Looks-Like John's-Guitar" complex, to merit designation and the extra $$$? You rarely if ever see any "name" players using them or any of their kith for serious lead work...Is the 350 something more than an expensive (albeit attractive in a vintage sort of way) rhythm guitar? and,
(b) What would motivate one to choose a 350 instead of, for instance, a 650C with your choice of pickups -- say, a toaster in the bridge position and a humbucker in the neck position? The latter would seem to cost less and be far more flexible...

Wait! I think I've just about talked myself into doing just that: a 650C in FG with one toaster and one hamburger...that would be a pretty nifty and versatile kit, and would come in for about $1K.

And another thing: since the 650C is now said to be available in any of the "standard" Ric finishes, can you get it in MG? Even if it's not made of Maple? The catalogue says the body is "hardwood." Which one? Should we then properly refer to the natural finish as "HG" on a 650C?

MAN, I've got a buncha questions today.

A few months ago, there was a 650C Mapleglo for sale, I think on gbase.com...? It looked very nice with a charactered (i.e., flamey) maple body.

I've seen JH tell us that they made the specification "hardwood" so that they could use any walnut dakota's etc that didn't make the grade for a natural finish but that no such "rejects" have surfaced to date and so all 650C's sold to date have been maple. So mapleglo wouldn't be a problem.