Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (8)
$3,649.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (10)
$3,649.00
Musician's Friend
5.0 (35)
$3,599.00
Thomann
4.9 (7)
$4,390.00 $4,333.00 $57.00 · All time low

Average Price: $3,808

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Step back in time with the Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar - a beautifully crafted homage to the iconic sounds of the 1960s. This semi-hollowbody guitar captures the spirit of the British Invasion with its trio of vintage-style Toaster Top single-coil pickups that deliver a clear, jangly tone reminiscent of the era's greatest hits. Its compact 21" scale length offers a unique playing experience, while the reshaped body and headstock provide both comfort and style.

Constructed entirely from high-grade maple with a thick, bound rosewood fingerboard, this instrument is as visually stunning as it is sonically impressive. The maple's inherent brightness contributes to the guitar's signature shimmer, while the rosewood adds warmth and depth to your sound. The Rickenbacker 325 also features a vintage-correct Accent Vibrato with a roller bridge, allowing for smooth pitch bends and a playful vibrato effect.

Whether you're a seasoned musician or an enthusiastic collector, the Rickenbacker 325 is a must-have for anyone looking to recreate classic sounds with modern reliability. Its rich heritage combined with exceptional craftsmanship makes this guitar not just an instrument, but a piece of musical history.

Key Features:

  • Re-creation of a popular Rickenbacker model from the British Invasion
  • Semi-hollowbody maple construction
  • Compact 21" scale length for a unique feel
  • Thick, bound rosewood fingerboard
  • Vintage-style Toaster Top single-coil pickups
  • 3-way pickup selector with dual volume and tone controls
  • 5th blend knob for added tonal variety
  • Vintage-correct Accent Vibrato with roller bridge
  • Includes hardshell case for protection and storage

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Semi-hollowbody
Body Shape 325
Body Material Maple
Top Material Maple
Body Finish High Gloss Poly
Neck Material Maple
Neck Joint Set Neck
Radius 7.25"
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay Dots
Number of Frets 21
Scale Length 21"
Nut Width 1.629"
Nut Material Bakelite
Bridge/Tailpiece Roller Bridge with Accent Vibrato Tailpiece
Tuners Deluxe Vintage Repro
Neck Pickup Vintage Toaster Top Single-coil
Middle Pickup Vintage Toaster Top Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Vintage Toaster Top Single-coil
Controls 2 x volume, 2 x tone, 1 x mix control
Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings Rickenbacker Nickel Round Wound, .012, .016, .020, .032, .042, .054
Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case

FAQs

What type of music is the Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar best suited for?

The Rickenbacker 325 is renowned for its bright jangle and chime, making it ideal for folk rock and British Invasion styles. Its unique sound has been favored by bands like The Beatles and The Who.

What is the neck profile like on the Rickenbacker 325?

The Rickenbacker 325 features a set maple neck with a 7.25" radius, providing a comfortable and vintage feel that is well-suited for rhythm playing and chord work.

How does the Accent Vibrato tailpiece on the Rickenbacker 325 function?

The Accent Vibrato tailpiece allows for subtle pitch modulation, adding expressive vibrato effects to your playing without significantly detuning the guitar.

Are the pickups on the Rickenbacker 325 suitable for high-gain music styles?

The Rickenbacker 325 is equipped with vintage toaster top single-coil pickups, which are best suited for clean and moderately overdriven tones, rather than high-gain music styles.

Is the Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?

While the Rickenbacker 325 offers a unique sound and iconic design, its short scale length and specific tonal characteristics may be more appreciated by experienced players familiar with its style.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

1989 Rickenbacker 325 Black | Guitar of the Day

Video thumbnail for 1989 Rickenbacker 325 Black | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1989 Rickenbacker 325 Black | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar.

Comparisons

  • The Rickenbacker 325 is noted to be 34.5 inches long, about 5 inches shorter than a regular Fender Stratocaster, providing a unique and compact feel.

    Source
  • The 325 is described as having a body one inch shorter than a G&L Strat, emphasizing its compact nature.

    Source
  • Compared to Gretsch guitars, the Rickenbacker 325 is considered harder to play, but offers unmatched vibes and iconic looks.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find the Rickenbacker 325 challenging for playing leads but excellent for rhythm, attributing its size to enhanced control and comfort.

    Source
  • Even with smaller hands, users find adjusting to the 20.75-inch short scale guitar challenging, highlighting the transition from standard scales like Fender's 25.5 inches.

    Source
  • The Rickenbacker 325's tone is described as unmistakably unique, being scratchy, jangly, and warm, distinctly different from other guitars.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is often used for rhythm, aligning with John Lennon's use, while lead parts are typically handled on different instruments.

    Source
  • The guitar excels in playing rock and roll riffs and chords, with "All My Loving" being notably easier due to its scale length.

    Source

Other

  • The 325 was originally purchased in Mapleglo finish and painted black, later restored to natural maple, showing its journey through modifications and restorations.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Accent vibrato's string break angle is suboptimal, leading owners to use Winfield Vintage aftermarket springs for better action.

    Source
  • Owners find the action difficult to set correctly, often resulting in high action due to the string break angle issues.

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  • Strings are recommended to be 12s or 13s for tuning stability, with flatwounds suggested to avoid pitch variations.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Modern V-series bridge with notched saddles is preferred to reduce buzz compared to vintage-style roller saddle bridges.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The laquered fretboard is polarizing, with some players loving the feel while others dislike it.

    Source

Critic Reviews

The Iconic Rickenbacker 325 Has a Story Like No Other Electric Guitar | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

Vintage Vault: 1964 Rickenbacker 325 - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
elie_winston_michnik

A very good guitar, It has many options

I like the way John played on it like when he played Twist n Shout.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kevin Parker uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Kevin Parker

Singer, Guitarist

Tame Impala

...
Verified via NME.COM

Kevin was seen using the Rickenbacker 325 recently, NME did a review about this performance. End Of The Road – Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, September 4-6 Read more at http://www.nme.com/reviews/various-artists/16243#rZQhRCp7PK0hTHVx.99

See how John Lennon uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Photo

John Lennon played 325s and their assorted variants during the 1960s (Including a 12-string made to match his second 325). These instruments gained prominence due to John Lennon's use of a 325 during the early years of The Beatles. John Lennon's 1958 model was among the very first batch made and has the pre-production feature of a solid top, i.e., no sound hole.

This guitar was modified with Bigsby vibrato and nonstandard control knobs. Lennon used this guitar during their first public appearance of the Ed Sullivan Show.

See how Albert Hammond Jr uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Albert Hammond Jr

Singer, Guitarist

The Strokes

...
Verified via Photo

Albert mentions that during the early days of the Strokes he used a Rickenbacker 325 similar to the one John Lennon played in Hamburg. This article also lists a Rickenbacker 3 pickup in his gear list.

See how Tom Petty uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Tom Petty

Singer, Guitarist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via YouTube

In this 1985 live video of Don't Come Around Here No More, Tom Petty plays a jetglo Rickenbacker 325.

See how Mike Campbell uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via YouTube

In this source video Mike Campbell is playing a Rickenbacker 325 Capri in black. He tunes the guitar down a whole step, and has been using it on the Hypnotic Eye tour for "American Girl".

See how Peter Buck uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Peter Buck

Guitarist

R.E.M.

...
Verified via Photo

Peter Buck used the Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar in Capri Black during a live performance in the spring of 1985, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Inthestudio.

In my opinion, this looks like a full-scale Rickenbacker 350 JG, also because it appears to have higain pickups and an R tailpiece.

See how Dean Ween uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Dean Ween

Guitarist

Ween

...
Verified via YouTube

At 6:42 you can see the Rickenbacker guitar next to Deaner

See how Paddy McAloon uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Paddy McAloon

Singer, Guitarist

Prefab Sprout

...
Verified via YouTube

2:13 Prefab Sprout - Electric Guitars video

See how Brent Fitz uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Brent Fitz

Drummer

BulletBoys

...
Verified via Photo

"A photo for #FitzyFriday taken a long time ago in a magical musical place while sitting at our family piano, playing my favorite @rickenbackerofficial guitar, at my parent’s home in #Winnipeg. Excited that our hundred year old piano is about to make its’ way to Las Vegas to the home of my sister @brenda.fitz, and since we both live in Vegas, the guitar and piano will soon reunite harmoniously!"

See how Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Clarence can be seen with A Mapleglo Rickenbacker Capri.

See how Andrew Gold uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Andrew Gold

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Playing Rickenbacker 325 Capri Black in this photo.

See how Mike Pachelli uses Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar

Mike Pachelli

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/CWbZRcnIg36/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link you can see his Rickenbacker 325 which he uses in many of his Beatles guitar lessons!

Album Usage

The Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Rickenbacker 325 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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