RICKENBACKER 480 electric guitars

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 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

Add or edit RICKENBACKER 480 specs

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1980	£95	worn	mick	when I bought it the "R" tailpiece had been replaced by a les paul type tailpiece.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!