Delving into the world of the 3/4 scale

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:42 pm

This morning, I took delivery of my first short-scale Rick - a 325v59, Jetglo, made in January of '86.

I have played a few of them before so I knew what to expect with the scale. This one is a particularly nice player and is well set up - it holds it's tuning exceptionally, even with gratuitous Bigsby wobbling and the action is just about perfectly to my liking.

I knew that flatwounds were de rigeur for these guitars, but the sound is pretty dark, a bit too dark for me. I don't know whether to attribute this to the flats or the 80's toasters, which I seem to remember hearing were wound up around 11k ohms and maybe even higher. My Carl Wilson is quite a bit brighter and "thinner" sounding than this one.

Also, the neck pickup is kind of weird sounding - the best way I can describe it is like a Strat in the 2 & 4 positions - really Knopfler-esque, or like Jimi on "Little Wing". Is this normal?

The finish is battered real bad. No checking, but there's general surface scratching throughout (Including some really bad ones under the Bigsby), as well as three or four particularly deep gouges that have apparently been colored in with a Sharpie marker - the wood most certainly would have been showing through these. One is right on the lower horn next to the pickguard, and it's almost the size of a dime. Definitley a candidate for a good refinish. Any color ideas?

I'm not crazed for the Lennon exacting specifications, but I thought i'd pop off the top tier pickguard to get more of a true 50's 325 look. When I popped off the bottom one, surprise! - a "Pickguardian" sticker.

It really got me thinking - what has this guitar been subjected to over the past 20 years? The finish is beyond bad, and it's had it's pickguard changed to boot. Did it see time on the road in a Beatles tribute, then retired in favor of a c58? Who knows!

So a few parting questions - What gauge are the strings generally used on these? I'd like a new set for it - only roundwounds instead of flats. Anything in order to brighten up the tone without swapping out the pickups.

I'm really enjoying this guitar - the short scales rock!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:49 pm

John, I've tried several sets on my different short scales and have ended up at the "source"--the Rick short scale heavy set. They sound just right for my guitars, hold their tune very well, are priced reasonably, and seem to be lasting well, too.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:20 pm

I'm with Paul. I use the .12's, short scale, heavy set.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:45 pm

.12's or .13's are best for it. Many go for the Pyramid strings, but they're too pricey for me. I use D'Addario Chrome .12's - Easily available, not expensive, and they give that great 50's sound and feel. I really like them.

You're right - The pickups on your guitar will be the 11-12k ohm variety. By the way, the 325V59 does not have the .0047 cap installed in it. You might want to consider that for a brighter sound.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:09 pm

Of course, I forgot about the cap! I'll pick one of those up and try it. That definitley adds to the sound in the Carl Wilson 360.

Are the RIC short scale strings flatwounds? I'd like to try rounds.

drathbun · Post by **drathbun** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:04 pm

They are roundwound nickle medium strings in short scale. They are heavy if on a full scale neck.

12 16 24W 32 42 54

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?viewitem=95106&category=viewitem&buffer_category=Strings

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:04 pm

Yeah the RIC .012s are great. I like flat .012s on my Casino but rounds on the tulips. But I change my mind every few years.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:27 am

Figured out my pickup situation:
Switch down = bridge pickup
Switch middle = all three pickups
Switch up = neck and middle pickup

Is this standard wiring for a 325? I'd like to have the neck pickup isolated, so i'm probably going to mess with the wiring a bit.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:19 am

That's the standard wiring for a 325 (and really all unmodified 3 pickup Ricks).

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:47 am

Dude you should do the RM wiring where you have volume for each pickup, and one master tone. Maybe throw one of those freaky treble boosters in too!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:00 pm

When i've got the time and ambition, J, I think i'll try that. For now, i've disconnected the middle pickup and am much happier with the guitar. The neck pickup isolated sounds great.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:13 pm

I don't use the guitar tone controls. I have my 325 wired with only two knobs. One controls the volume of the bridge and neck pickups, the other the volume of the middle pickup. The selector switch works to select the bridge pickup, the neck pickup, or both. The middle pickup is not on the switch--I select it by turning the volume knob up. This way, I can get any pickup combination I want, and can dial in the amount of any pickup. Only drawback is that I can't regulate the volumes of the bridge and neck separately.

BUT with this setup and only two knobs, I get the greatest range of tones of any guitar I own. A "tone control" only rolls off treble anyway, and I generally don't use the guitar for mellow, jazz tones anyway. If I need that, there's always the amp tone controls.

nab · Post by **nab** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:13 pm

John, first off - congrats on your 325!
I find the neck/mid combo kind of "muddy" on my 1996. Been considering the 5th knob as volume option. Is the RM wiring Jason mentions different than this (sounds like it)?

Re strings - guess I'm the oddball but I couldn't stand the 12's on my 1996. I've gone to 10's, I don't notice any real problems with tuning/intonation. A little more "twang", and the roller bridge may need replaced by 6-saddle.

John, how about some pix if poss? Can never get enough of those i even if it was a warhorse!

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:35 am

Okay scrap my idea. I like the sound of Paul's thing. Maybe add a tone knob if you get bored. I hate to think that 3rd pickup is just sitting there going to waste.

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:40 am

>>The finish is beyond bad<<

As bad as Lennon's was?