January 1964 325fg Solidtop

The following photographs of a January 1964 326 solidtop appeared in a Japanese Guitar Magazine, forwarded to me by fellow Ric enthusiast John Williams. This guitar has an internal marking designating it a 'sample' 325. The opinion of some is that this 325 was a trial unit leading up to Lennon's DB122. Translations are compliments of Tuck Hersey.

In late 1963 the heastocks got a little smaller, but still slightly bigger than their successor. (It was in mid 1964 that all headstocks became small)

The inside of the body is carved close to the edge. It has a fairly loud acoustic sound due to it's hollowness. (my note - see the internal text - 325, & sample)

A rare example - no volute on a small head. Small headstocks usually came with volutes.

Good angle to look at Rics. The ramps are still hand carved these days.

The roller bridge is built using 'ball ends' of strings. It accompanies a vibrato unit

Sharp heel. Guitars with volutes usually come with rounded heels.