It's almost Strat like on the "With The Beatles" album on tracks like "All I've Gotta Do" and "It Won't Be Long." Very odd and cool. That's the main reason I would want one, but I don't really do that music anymore so it hasn't been a priority.Lennon's first 325 was/is an an amazing and unique sounding guitar. It always surprised me it seems they considered their instruments second rate since those sounds became the benchmark for so many people later on That's the main reason I would want one, but I don't really do that music anymore so it hasn't been a priority.BTW I have seen multiple interviews with various Beatles who have said that they couldnt afford the instruments they wanted in the early days like Fender and Gibson, and, that they were hard to get in England.
If you have small fingers, it's quite a stretch to play the Root and 7th on the lower frets - so this is the perfect guitar for a small person to play that stuff really comfortably.Īlso - I think being a smaller scale it makes that type of rhythm guitar playing sound less muddy on the low fret bass strings. Roll Over Beethoven would be a good example, and quite a few Beatles songs. A lot of those 60's English rockers were very influenced by Chuck Berry and played a lot of those chugging type Root and Fifth chords on the bass strings where you alternate with the Root and 6th and maybe stretch to a 7th.
John played Rhythm guitar, and he was not a large person. I have played one and could have/should have bought one years ago. I've been interested in the 3/4 scale Ricky ever since I learned John Lennon played one. The guitar is a stunningly beautiful guitar and a joy to play. Amazing when recording - it just sits in any mix. Actually one of my very favorites of my more than 30 guitars of all types and configurations. Of course, that's just aesthetics.Īll of the above said, my RIC 350 is an awesome playing and an amazing sounding guitar. It's reasonably sized for a guy my size, but arguably looks a little toy-ish (body size) when I'm playing it. So, not exactly a 325, but playable for me.
JOHN LENNON RICKENBACKER 325 FULL
A 350 is basically a 325 body with full scale neck. I had RIC custom build a 350 for me about 20 years ago. If you can play one and are a large or tall person, the guitar may look like a toy strapped over your shoulder. If you are tall or have large hands you may find a 3/4 guitar to be uncomfortable if not down right un-playable. Not a deal breaker, but certainly an acquired taste. It's a short scale guitar and that is usually setup with heavy(er) strings than most people are used to playing with. Note: John Fogerty doesn't count because I've been told his was so modded that it had little in common with an off-the-shelf Rickenbacker 325.Well, a 325 for one thing is a 3/4 scale guitar, so that is an instrument of a different flavor. Any experience with one or any respectable players using one? But for a guitar that everyone seems to love (and is very expensive) why is it that no one famous (beyond Lennon, of course) play one? Do they really play or sound that bad? I've never had the opportunity to play one and I've been holding myself back on taking a chance buying one sound-unheard due to it's lack of being on any recordings other than early Beatles.
I love the look and I think I would love the scale.