Rickenbacker · 325 · 1958–present
The 325 came first. It was the opening model of Roger Rossmeisl's Capri line in 1958, a three-quarter-size guitar with a 20.75-inch scale and three toaster pickups. John Lennon had seen jazz player Toots Thielemans with one, and in Hamburg in 1960 he bought a natural 1958 325. He fitted a Bigsby, had it refinished black, and it stayed his main guitar until Rickenbacker sent him a new Jetglo 325 with a solid top and an Ac'cent vibrato in February 1964. When he broke that one's headstock at a Christmas show in 1964, Rose-Morris, the UK distributor, gave him a Fireglo Model 1996, the f-hole export version. John Fogerty played a Fireglo 325 on CCR's Suzie Q. Bjorn Eriksson says most 325s built in 1964 went for export, so a 1964 Fireglo with an f-hole is often really a 1996. Most 325s for sale now are reissues like the 325V59, 325V63, 325C58 and 325C64. They're the sensible way to get the Lennon look, but the scale is short, so try one if you're used to a full-size neck.
Run the jackplate serial through Rickenbacker's online decoder. Lennon's 1958 guitar is V81 and his 1964 Jetglo 325 is DB122, which shows how the 1961–1986 year-then-month letters work. Reissues were built decades later, so their serials decode to the year they were made.
Lennon broke his second 325's headstock when he dropped it, so look hard at the headstock and neck joint for repairs. Vibratos, knobs and pickguards were often changed, Lennon's included, so compare the hardware with the year. Toasters swap easily, so ask whether the pickups are original.
Buying guide
Buy a reissue for the Lennon look, like the 1997 325V59 titled all original with its case at $3,499 delivered from a US dealer, or a 325V63 from a Japanese dealer from $2,410. About 66 are listed and most ask $3,175–4,550 delivered, nearly all 325V59, V63, C58, C64 and 325JL reissues dated 1984 on, while the one 1966 original asks $7,500 and a 1958 asks $55,490. Run the jackplate serial through Rickenbacker's online decoder, since a reissue's serial dates to the year it was built, and ask for photos of the headstock front, back and sides, because broken 325 headstocks are common. The 1990 325JL listed by two Japanese dealers at $3,436 and $3,450 looks like one guitar, so compare photos.
$2,410.00delivered
The lowest delivered 325 here, a 325V63 Jetglo reissue. There's no year in the title, so decode the jackplate serial and check the headstock for repairs.
Rickenbacker 325V63 Jetglo Electric Guitar
$3,499.00est. delivered
A 1997 325V59 titled all original with its original case, from a US dealer, in the lower half of the band. Ask for the jackplate serial and headstock photos front, back and sides.
1997 Rickenbacker 325V59 Mapleglo Short Scale All Original w/ OHSC
$2,501.00delivered
A dated 1996 325V63 for about $90 more than the cheapest, a sensible way into the Lennon look. The 20.75-inch scale is short, so try one first if you're used to a full-size neck, and budget for import duty from Japan.
Rickenbacker 325V63 1996 Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar
$7,500.00delivered
The only 1960s 325 here, a 1966 Mapleglo with its original case from a US dealer, at a fraction of the 1958's ask. Decode the jackplate serial, ask whether the three toasters and the vibrato are original, and confirm the returns policy before you pay.
1966 Rickenbacker 325 Mapleglo Natural Vintage Electric Guitar w Original Case!
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$2,410.00delivered
$2,410.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,410.00
Good buy
325V63 reissue, no year. Ships from Japan.
Seller: tomoook-8
99.4% positive
Used$3,499.00est. delivered
$3,399.00 + $100.00 shipping
Buy It Now$3,399.00
Good buy
1997 325V59, titled all original with OHSC. In the US.
Seller: guitarchimp
100% positive
Used$2,501.00delivered
$2,501.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,501.00
Good buy
1996 325V63 reissue. Ships from Japan.
Seller: fun-japanproduct
100% positive
Used$7,500.00delivered
$7,500.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$7,500.00
Good buy
1966 original, titled with its original case. In the US.
Seller: kcvintageguitars
100% positive
Used$3,759.00delivered
$3,759.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,759.00
Our take
2011 325C64 reissue. Ships from Japan.
Seller: fun-japanproduct
100% positive
Used$3,436.09delivered
$3,436.09 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,436.09
Check the seller
Same 1990 325JL guitar_shop_kiss lists at $3,450. Compare photos. Ships from Japan.
Seller: eastislandcrew
100% positive
Used$3,450.00delivered
$3,450.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,450.00
Check the seller
Same 1990 325JL eastislandcrew lists at $3,436. Compare photos. Ships from Japan.
Seller: guitar_shop_kiss
100% positive
Used$55,490.00est. delivered
$54,995.00 + $495.00 shipping
Buy It Now$54,995.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled 1958 and 1 of 30, the top ask here by far. Ask for the jackplate serial. In the US.
Seller: raretoyzz
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 11, 2026.
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