325C64 versus 330

[miguel]

I'm considering the purchase of a 325C64. I know I'll have to wait, but that's part of the Rickenbacker magic. I was wondering if the 325 and the 330 really sound so different. I own a 330 and a 370/12, but I have never played a 325. Your advice & comments will be most welcomed. Sorry if this topic has been discussed before!

[SixtyFour]

I'm considering the purchase of a 325C64. I know I'll have to wait, but that's part of the Rickenbacker magic. I was wondering if the 325 and the 330 really sound so different. I own a 330 and a 370/12, but I have never played a 325. Your advice & comments will be most welcomed. Sorry if this topic has been discussed before!

IMO, the model 330 vs 325C64 - two entirely different breed of animals.
the 325 is a short scale instrument, and you will notice the difference accoustically
between the two. Find any model 325 and play it for awhile, ... judge for yourself.

[doctorno]

The 325 definitely sounds different than the 330.

I have got a 325V59 and a 325C64 and I would recommend you to either search for a 325V59 or order the 325C58 instead of the C64. With the exception of the V63 I have played all the different types of 320s and 325s that were available in recent years and I must say that the C64 is the one that I like the least. Do not get me wrong: the 320 and 325 are great guitars with a unique sound and with their own special attractiveness - and the C64 is a good guitar, too, but it just does not work as good as the other 320s and 325s for me, because I really want to play it and not just look at it and think: "Ah, this was the one John Lennon used when he was photographed for the cover of ´Something New´."

[miguel]

The 325 definitely sounds different than the 330.

I have got a 325V59 and a 325C64 and I would recommend you to either search for a 325V59 or order the 325C58 instead of the C64. With the exception of the V63 I have played all the different types of 320s and 325s that were available in recent years and I must say that the C64 is the one that I like the least. Do not get me wrong: the 320 and 325 are great guitars with a unique sound and with their own special attractiveness - and the C64 is a good guitar, too, but it just does not work as good as the other 320s and 325s for me, because I really want to play it and not just look at it and think: "Ah, this was the one John Lennon used when he was photographed for the cover of ´Something New´."

Nos, Doctorno, thank you.

Wish I could just walk into a music shop here in Spain, grab a 325C64 and play it, but I can't. Rickenbacker's spanish distributor only imports three or four models. I asked Mr. Hall about this some years ago. It seems that there is not enough demand to import the more expensive models. In fact, it's even difficult to find a 330 in a music store!

I would like to ask you a question, Doctorno. Why do you think that the 325C58 is a better guitar than the 325C64? Do you believe that the playability is better?

Thanks again for your help & advice. Have a pleasant weekend!

[doctorno]

I have played the 325C58 in a shop only once. Except for the Kauffmann vibrato I liked the guitar. The neck is slimmer than that of the C64, the pickups, that are specially made for this model, have very little output (even less than the C64 with its 7.4k toasters), but the guitar seems to sounds very nice with them. I also like the thicker body shape of the C58 and V59. The C58 is the lightest of all 325s and it is possible to replace the Kauffmann vibrato with a Bigsby.

The combination of a roller bridge and a RIC Accent vibrato on the C64 does not work in my opinion. I have replaced these with a standard bridge and trapeze tailpiece. This improves the playability, but you do not have a vibrato anymore. Sadly the Bigsby does not fit on the C64. But my biggest concern about the C64 is its sound. I am not happy with the 7.4k toasters - especially not on this guitar: the sound seems not to be very balanced to me, there is a resonance frequency or something like that, that annoys me and that I cannot get rid of with an EQ. The highs are too trebly and the basses too muddy for my taste.

The V59 is more of a player´s instrument than the C-series guitars: very comfortable to play with a slim neck and a Bigsby that fits the body. The 12k toasters have a great tone that is more balanced than that of the 7.4ks in my opinion ... I know that many people like these 7.4k pickups very much. I do not know why. Maybe they are a great choice for a 12string guitar but on the 320 and 325 I personally liked all other pickups that I heard with these models better: the hi-gains on the 320 as well as the 12k-toasters on the V59 and the specially made low output pickups on the C58.

[miguel]

Thanks, Markus. What you say is very interesting.
Does anybody agree with Markus?

[miguel]

By the way, if anyone wish to comment on the sound differences between the modern 330 and the 325C64 / C58, I would appreciate it very much.

[deaconblues]

Having owned and operated first a 325v63, then a 325c58, and currently a 325c64, and being the owner of a 330 and 360/12VP, I hope I can be of some assistance. With respect to Markus, these are just my opinions.

The 330 and 325's of any kind are very different indeed - although the general Rickenbacker feel is there (thick finish/fretboard), the 325 is much smaller, and the C-series 325's have sharper body edges than a 330.

The v63 and c64 are much more similar to the 330, which I use as my measuring stick (average Rick). They are also all-maple, 1/2" thick, and have standard features like the double pickguard. The 60's necks are very slim like a modern Rick.

When I got the c58, I was interested to find how different it was from modern Rickenbackers - thick bodied, extremely light, strange attachments, nearly square neck profile, etc. I would recommend a c58 if you really want a unique look and feel like no other Rickenbacker.

Sound-wise, I feel like the vintage 7.5k pickups on the c64 and 360/12VP are way more versatile than the extremely weak c58 pickups (bridge pickup was almost too quiet to be of any use at all). Compared to 330 pickups, they are weaker and much better suited for vintage-sounding rhythm, while the hi-gains are better at leads and modern rock.

[cauger]

Sadly the Bigsby does not fit on the C64.

I've got a Bigsby on my C64 and it fits just fine, you just need an extra washer is all. It looks and plays great.

[miguel]

Daniel, Chris (and Markus, of course), thank you very much.
Daniel, I could keep asking you questions about the 325C64 for a week! Your description of the guitar is very good, so thanks again for your help. I have often heard that the 325 sounds somewhat 'muddy' compared to brightness of the 330. What do you think of this?

[deaconblues]

Glad to help, Miguel!

Yes, there is a 'muddiness' to the tone of a 325 versus a 330, I think because of the power issue - hi-gains just drive the amp better. The 325 is just not for lead guitar (although I do use it for leads on occasion!), it is the ultimate rhythm instrument. If you love the Beatles like I do, it sounds just like all those early records. Interestingly, the 360/12VP has always sounded very 'dry and crisp,' but I've never played one with hi-gains.

[miguel]

Thanks again, Daniel!
Yes, I do love The Beatles! It's my favourite band of all times. And I'm more into rhythm guitar than lead, so the 325 would be fine for me. If I get it right, you can actually duplicate the sound of John Lennon's 325 with the 325C64. Is it that accurate?

[deaconblues]

Yes, the 325c64 does sound just like the Beatles records, recall the solo on "You Can't Do That". However, I think that people sometimes overlook its versatility - it sounds great as a rhythm guitar on just about any song.

[miguel]

Fantastic, Daniel!
I owe you one!

[doctorno]

The 325 is just not for lead guitar (although I do use it for leads on occasion!), it is the ultimate rhythm instrument.

I do not completely agree with this. If there is any advantage of a short scale neck, it is that it enables you to play faster leads. And as far as my 325V59 is concerned with its slim neck and its 12k toasters, I love to play lead guitar on THIS 325. As far as the 325C64 is concerned, I must say that mine plays very well for lead guitar as well as rhythm guitar as long as I do not connect an amp. But when I connect the guitar to the amp, it does not sound the way I like it - that´s just my opinion, of course, I am certain that there are others who would prefer the C64 to a V59.