Johns Rickenbacker 325 with 1964 set list at the John Lennon Museum in Tokyo. Having said this, there are a lot worse guitars out there, and as well as being historically important, the 1820 bass can certainly provide the goods when required. John recording at Abbey Road with his Rickenbacker 325 prior to the black paint job September 4, 1962. Over the course of the 70s, the Japanese output improved dramatically, and in many ways these early 70s models are a low point for the brand. From the classic bright, attacking jangly sounds to fatter, crunchier & humbucker designs Ive tried to create Ric® & Toaster® style pickups & sets that chime with certain sounds & periods in music.
These new Epiphones were based on existing Matsumoku guitars, sharing body shapes, and hardware, but the Epiphone line was somewhat upgraded, with inlaid logos and a 2x2 peghead configuration. Vintage, Modern & Custom Replacement Ric®, Rickenbacker® & Toaster® Style Pickups. 1938 specs: 2 round knobs with ridges, one black and one white. PG 12206:RICKY 4001 TRC molded part with raised letters, rounded point, 5-15/16' long, 3 screws. P 12204: RICKY 4001 v63 TRC extra long part with sharp point, 6-5/8' long, 3 screws. 1935 specs: Black bakelite body, horseshoe pickup, 5 chrome plates on face, 1 octagonal knob on lower bass bout, detachable bakelite neck with molded frets, string thru body. Rickenbacker is a registered US Trademark you can contact the company for help getting a TRC with the logo ours do not have the Rick logo printed.
The Matsumoku factory had been producing guitars for export for some time, but the 1820 bass (alongside a number of guitar models and the 5120 electric acoustic bass) were the first Epiphone models to be made there. Electro Spanish Model B, available 1935 to 1943.
RICKENBACKER 325 BLACK FREE
By the end of the 1960s, a decision had been made to move Epiphone guitar production from the USA (at the Kalamazoo plant where Gibson guitars were made), to Matsumoto in Japan, creating a line of guitars and basses significantly less expensive than the USA-built models (actually less than half the price). 2020 Best Guitar, Rickenbacker Electric Guitar, 325 Electric Guitar F Hole Body, Cherry Red Body, Free Shipping FOB Price: US 210-230 / Piece Min.