Rickenbacker 325

Infobox Guitar model|title=Rickenbacker 325


bgcolor=#FFFFF
manufacturer=Rickenbacker
period=1958 - Present
bodytype=Semi-Hollow
necktype=Set-in
woodbody=Maple
woodneck=Maple
woodfingerboard=Rosewood
bridge=6-way
pickups=Three Single-coil pickups
colors=Mapleglo (natural), Jetglo (black), Fireglo (red sunburst)

Overview

The Rickenbacker 325 features a 20-3/4" short scale, dot fretboard inlays, and a small (12-3/4" wide) body. The body is unbound, semi-hollow (though lacking a sound hole), and boasts the "crescent moon"-style cutaways. This series is currently available only in "Vintage" or "C" reissue forms. These instruments were originally intended to be student models, but gained prominence due to John Lennon's use of a 325 during the early years of The Beatles. Lennon first heard of Rickenbacker guitars from an early musical hero of his, Jean "Toots" Thielemans. Lennon was able to obtain his first 325 from a Hamburg, Germany music store in 1960. Although accounts differ as to whether the instrument was part of the shop's regular inventory or if Lennon had it specially ordered, George Harrison maintained in an interview with Guitar Player Magazine that Lennon bought it "'on the knocks'—ten percent down, and the rest when they [catch] you!"