The 325 Connection 1964-1969

The 325 Connection

1964

It's 1963, and the 325 model has had a sudden burst of publicity that soon results in a boost of production. (or is it a resurrection). Due to the influence of a certain Mr. Lennon people are clamoring for those "little Beatle guitars". Late in '63, Rickenbacker guitars had undergone a facelift from gold lucite plates and stove knobs to a new 'fresh' style white acrylic control plate with elevated pickguard, smaller plain black knobs, and to top it off, an innovative mixer/blend control was also now standard. Opportunity was taken by F C Hall, astute as ever, to re-style the 325 incorporating the new control format with a trimmed down body and headstock on the 325. A shapely and elegant 325 was born. Samples were quickly provided for Lennon. In Feb '64 he received his now well known '64 325Jetglo and the next month the unique 325/12. These appear to be the first Jetglo 325 guitars officially produced by Rickenbacker. 1964 was a very big year for 325's. That year alone saw the production of no fewer than 226 units, with more to follow in the ensuing years. To this day the 325 re-issues would be among Rickenbacker's most popular models. All of this thanks to that old '58 model.

F C Hall took this snapshot* in Jan '64 when his 325's became known as the 'John Lennon model'. Judging by that very early style long vibrato arm and hex ferrules this was not a new guitar. I'd say this is probably our old friend, the Ric promotional guitar from 1959. Serial No. 2V285

John Lennon's 2nd 325 was this custom made Jetglo Solidtop model from early '64. Presented to him in Miami, whilst on tour, this 325 took over duties from his '58 model. It can currently be viewed at the John Lennon Museum in Japan. Serial No. DB122
For a closer look click HERE

Close on the heels of John's 6 string came this one-off 325/12*. Arriving in Britain in March of 1964 this 12 string is thought to be a Feb model. Like the 6 string it's a custom Jetglo solidtop with the new thin style body. Rumour has it that it had an Accent tremelo at one time. Very tricky with 12 strings!
Serial No. DB 151

In 1964, a damaged headstock required Lennon's new 325/6 to go in for repair. As a replacement he was supplied this Export version 325FG by Rose Morris UK. Known by the Rose Morris numbering as a 1996. It was used as a home studio guitar by Lennon for a few years at least. Lennon passed this one on to Ringo who keeps it as a treasured memento to this day. Serial No.DD3XX

This is a January '64 325 solidtop that is the only non-'Lennon Estate' 325 solidtop to surface so far. It is marked internally as a 'sample'. DA XXX.. Click for more details and pics
Click here for a full size pic

The first production run of 1996's for 1964 appears to have resulted in these DB's. Here's yet another one. Square heel, no volute, 2 o'clock soundhole. They do have the slimmed down headstock though. DB XXX

Another very early 1996 - this time refinished in Jetglo. The only known 60's refinished Jetglo model with a 2 o'clock soundhole. Interesting to see.DB XXX

This 1996 is a very early one as well. It has the early 'square heel' feature as does the fireglo solidtop featured on this row. Serial Number DB XXX

And here's another one of those 2 o'clock 1996's. Also from April '64 not far behind the previous matched pair. Not too clear a photo but I hear the guitar itself is in great shape.
Serial No. DD XXX

Here's an interesting turn of events. A re-union 36 years after leaving the Rickenbacker shipping area. This 1996 and the previous one have consecutive serial numbers.
Serial No. DD XXX

One from across the channel arrived in my inbox in May '07. One of the few known 1996's from March of '64 Residing these days in France.

Serial No. DC 22X.

This 1964 Export model 1996 is another one of the Rose Morris export guitars. It has the early style 2 o'clock 'f' hole. Previously owned by Liverpool entertainer Paty May.
Serial No.DD XXX

This 2 o'clock 1996 turned up in a pawn brokers store in Swindon UK back in '83. More recently it appeared in Tony Bacon's "The Ultimate Guitar Book" on pg 149. Serial No. DD XXX

This one sold on ebay in early 2006 and is in the same serial number range as the previous few DD's. Seems like they made a largish batch of these for shipment to the UK in April of '64. Serial No. DD3XX

This row becomes the re-union section because this latest addition is the next serial number along from the 1996 to the left. Oddly enough, Both are now located in the Southern hemisphere. Serial No. DD XXX

.Many of these early 1996's with the 2 o'clock soundhole tend to show up in the UK, as did this one. Later types are found in places that Rose Morris distributed to. DE XXX

The last known 2 o'clock soundhole 1996 is from June '64. Oddly, it occurs after a batch of 1 o'clock models. It's now thought that at least half the production of '64 1996's were with this angle of soundhole. Serial No. DF XXX

Here is the earliest known example of a 1 o'clock soundhole on a 325/1996. It occurs only 10 serial numbers along from the Bisonbacker. So we can narrow the changover down to mid May '64. Serial No. DE 53X.

This '64 325 Mapleglo didn't leave the factory with this neck and curly headstock. It was originally purchased as a standard 1996 in the UK. Nicknamed the "Bisonbacker".
Serial No. DE 52X

Yet another UK market Rose Morris 1996 with the early style soundhole. We used to think that only about 20 were made. Clearly not the case. Serial No. DE XXX

An interesting story behind this nice 1996 in it's original case. It had been refinished black but fortunately not too well. The black paint was able to be carefully removed revealing the fireglo still there. Serial No. DG XXX

An surprising discovery in recent times was this 325 Jetglo solidtop, just like Lennon's. Click here for a detailed look. The owner informs that this guitar was custom ordered back in '64
Serial No. DG XXX

A 1964 export 1996 refinished Jetglo. This was not a standard Ric finish at this time. You had to specially order it. As a result of Lennon's famous 325Jg it became available as a standard finish in later years. Serial No. DF XXX

An unusual Autumnglo looking finish on this one from my own collection. A very nice fade on it. Early in the sequence of later style soundholes. Serial No. DF XXX

This 310 from September of '64 is one with stories to tell I'm sure. This 310 is otherwise noteworthy for having the earliest known factory fitted 'R' Tailpiece in the 310-325 model range. It is a domestic US model with 1 o'clock soundhole. Serial No. DI XX

Here's a lovely RM1996 in original livery, fresh in from the UK. Proof that export and domestic Rics were made side by side is that the 310 to the right is the next serial number along. 310's were not made for export.

Next is this '64 310. As previously noted 310's are a rare animal. Serial No.DH XX. Why the low serial number. Back then when they got to 1000 they started at 1 again.