Rickenbacker guitars are something of a different breed in a world populated by Fender and Gibsons. Their distinctive designs and unique sound have etched a significant chapter in the history of electric guitars as we know it. They’re renowned for their unique body shapes, eye-catching aesthetics, and distinct sound. And we’re here today to talk about one guitar in particular, a 1967 325 “Rose Morris” model in stunning Fireglo finish!
A bit of history on the 325. Originally designed by Roger Rossmeisl, who designed several guitars for Rickenbacker and later Fender, the 325 was one of two 3-pickup models of Rickenbacker’s short-scale “300-Series”. Although it’s nearly identical to the 320, the 325 designation specifies a vibrato tailpiece as opposed to the floating “R” tailpiece. The Rickenbacker 325 is renowned for its bright and chimey tone, which is a result of its unique construction and the use of high-quality materials. It features a semi-hollow body design, which reduces the overall weight of the instrument while maintaining a resonant, lively sound. The combination of a maple body, rosewood fingerboard, and the 20 3/4” scale length all contribute to the guitar’s distinctive tonal character. This example features a 2-piece maple body with some delightful figuring on the back. And equipped with 3 of Rickenbacker’s signature single coil “toaster” pickups, it’s sure to deliver that classic jangly Rick tone that we all know and love.
In all original condition, the guitar is essentially untouched from the way it left the factory way back in April, 1967! Included is the original silver hard shell case with blue interior, another distinctive feature of Rickenbacker instruments of this era. The guitar shows a bit of light playwear as any well-loved instrument of this age should. It’s in very good shape cosmetically and clearly an instrument that was treated with care and respect, but was also put to use as the 60’s music-making machine that it is. This 325 also has a comfortable slim C shape neck profile, measuring at 0.86” and 0.87” at the first and twelfth frets. The original frets have plenty of life in them for many more years of playing enjoyment.
Rickenbackers in general have a unique look that’s easily identifiable on any stage, but many readers will certainly recognize the 325 in particular as being the favored instrument of John Lennon. While Lennon originally obtained an early model 1958 during The Beatles time in Hamburg, he was known to have also owned and played several others, including a 325 Rose Morris model rather similar to this one. Another notable 325 player is John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, who played a Fireglo 325 Rose Morris built roughly two years later than our ’67. Fogerty’s Rickenbacker 325 (Or Rose-Morris 1996, to be exact) was used on much of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s studio recordings and live performances, including their performance at Woodstock in 1969.
So, what’s all this Rose-Morris business? Who was Rose-Morris and what did they have to do with the Rickenbacker guitars? Well, it wasn’t actually a person, but rather an English distributor of instruments and music equipment back in the 60’s. In those days, many UK distributors would order instruments directly from American manufacturers with their own custom specifications. This helped them stand out and offer consumers exclusive products that could only be found from these specific retailers. Such is the case with Rose-Morris, who in the early 60’s became a UK dealer of Rickenbacker guitars and basses. They were all special ordered with “f”-holes as opposed to the traditional Rickenbacker “slash” sound hole, which has since become a visual giveaway for Rose-Morris examples of this period. They also designated the models with their own nomenclature. In this case, the Rickenbacker 325 would be equivalent to the Rose-Morris 1996. As they were only a Rickenbacker dealer for a few years in the 60’s, this ’67 Rose-Morris 325 and others like it are becoming increasingly rare and sought after by players and collectors alike.
The Rickenbacker 325, or Rose-Morris 1996 if you prefer, is an iconic electric guitar that has left an indelible mark on the world of music due to its association with several legendary musicians of the 1960’s and 70’s. It’s much more than just a guitar; it’s a symbol of rock and roll history, with a uniquely Rickenbacker design and tone. This 1967 example is no different. Whether you’re drawn to its distinctive looks, its bright and chiming sound, or its historical significance, the Rickenbacker 325 deserves the recognition it’s earned since its introduction in 1958. Let it remind us of the enduring power of music and all the special instruments that create it.
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