Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- electric guitars
Series name:
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 controls | 2 tone controls |
Volume controls | 2 volume controls |
Pickup selector controls | 3-way selector switch |
Electronics
Pickups brand and model | Rickenbacker Hi-Gain pickup(s) |
Pickups configuration | 2 single coil pickups |
General
Finish colors | black finish |
Made in | USA |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Scale length | 25 inches scale-length |
Body
Body material | maple body |
Body style | cresting wave style |
Pickguard material | white pickguard |
Hardware
Bridge | bridge-cover |
Hardware color | chrome hardware |
Tailpiece | trapeze tailpiece |
Fretboard
Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
Neck
Neck joint | bolt on neck |
Neck material | maple neck |
Number of frets | 24 fret |
Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Prices (13)
Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | $480 | new | guitar-list | List price (which coincidentally was the same as the model name in 1980). |
1981 | $630 | new | guitar-list | List price |
1974 | $5000 | worn | pollo | no |
1995 | £250 | good | pat | |
1992 | $500.00 | good | john | came with the case, still needs a black pickguard and a nut |
1981 | $150 | good | I 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. | |
1978 | 750 NLG | excellent | Ryan | |
1974 | £221 | new | pete | |
1974 | $200.00 | new | ||
1976 | $300 | excellent | ||
2008 | $1800 | worn | Cassie | Jet Glo 1973 |
1980 | £95 | worn | mick | when I bought it the "R" tailpiece had been replaced by a les paul type tailpiece.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 | £2000 | good | Ste | Complete 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! |
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Gallery (0)
Players (5)
Famous RICKENBACKER 480 players:
Murray Attaway Dan Mullen PlasticlandMatt Murphy (Candian) The Super FriendzPatti Smith Craig Ward dEUS