RICKENBACKER 480

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  • Rickenbacker 480 electric guitar
    Rickenbacker 480

Overview

Brand name: 

RICKENBACKER

Product: 

  • electric guitars

Series name: 

RICKENBACKER 400 SERIES

Dates of manufacture: 

1973 to 1984

RICKENBACKER made the 480 between 1973 and 1984. All the 480 Series models (the 480, 481 and 483) had cresting wave style bodies like the famous 4000 series basses. Despite its cool looking body shape the 480 never caught on in the same way as the 4000 series bass models but are collectible due to their relative scarcity. Unlike most Rickenbackers the 480 model has a bolt-on neck and a 25 inch scale length. The 480 was available in the full range of Rickenbacker finishes although most commonly in JetGlo (black).

Specifications (21)

Controls

Tone controls2 tone controls
Volume controls2 volume controls
Pickup selector controls3-way selector switch

Electronics

Pickups brand and modelRickenbacker Hi-Gain pickup(s)
Pickups configuration2 single coil pickups

General

Finish colorsblack finish
Made inUSA
Number of strings6 strings
Scale length25 inches scale-length

Body

Body materialmaple body
Body stylecresting wave style
Pickguard materialwhite pickguard

Hardware

Bridgebridge-cover
Hardware colorchrome hardware
Tailpiecetrapeze tailpiece

Fretboard

Fingerboard materialrosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard position markersdot fingerboard position markers

Neck

Neck jointbolt on neck
Neck materialmaple neck
Number of frets24 fret
Tuner layoutthree-each-side
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Prices (14)

DatePriceConditionNameComments
1980$480newguitar-listList price (which coincidentally was the same as the model name in 1980).
1981$630newguitar-listList price
1974$5000wornpollono
1995£250goodpat
1992$500.00goodjohncame with the case, still needs a black pickguard and a nut
1981$150goodI bought mine with neighborhood Lawn Mowing Jobs ($8 a Yard back then) for $150 at a little Independent Record Store outside Washington DC .I think it was Annandale. My buddy Steve who had a drivers license and was collecting every Zappa record he could find told me about it and the price was exactly what I had. Gave me a ride and to get it & I've had it ever since.
1978750 NLG excellentRyan
1974£221newpete
1974$200.00new
1976$300excellent
2008$1800wornCassieJet Glo 1973
1980£95wornmickwhen I bought it the "R" tailpiece had been replaced by a les paul type tailpiece. it played very well. it also had been given a pearlised black spray job( I thought it was rubbish) I've sripped it back to the bare wood and will have it re finished in wine or midnight blue. I have also bought a used "Bigsby" tailpiece which I'll fit. I can't get hold of an "R" from anywhere, i've been looking since the day I bought it 38 years ago. I no longer play in a band, getting a bit long in the tooth, and will probably sell it on as I've a nice 86 strat, an 86 Yamaha SE1212a very rare and a custom made tele to keep my hand in. I'll keep you posted and post some photos when I get it finished.
2015£2000goodSteComplete of original hard shell, discovered in a Oxford guitar boutique by internet search. All parts originals; I just cut the condenser of bridge single coil to avoid volume reduction. Great piece!
1994$150.00excellentjohnThis one is white. All original. Been in its origigal case. 1975 April is its birth date.
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1 Comment

rick 480 players

Submitted by Yakhov (not verified) on

Sly, of Sly and the Family Stone, played one.

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