how to spot an unmodified, original 480?

78 rpm · Post by **78 rpm** » Sun Apr 28, 2013 1:10 pm

Hi Everyone
I'm about to view a 480 at a shop in a week's time. Please would you give me some advice on what to look for if it is still original or if it has been modified over the years? I'm looking for an original. Will it always have the model number on the truss rod cover etc, that sort of thing?
Cheers.

badeggs · Post by **badeggs** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:36 am

What year is it, do you have the serial number? That will help point out what should be there.

In general a 480 should have an unbound body, bound neck, flat (or nearly flat) fretboard with dot inlays, likely Kluson double-line tuners, "Model 480" on the TRC.

But year-by-year the pickups can change, the fretboards got thicker, TRCs went from plexiglass to molded plastic...again, the year helps pin this stuff down.

480s are awesome! Welcome to the forum!

cjj · Post by **cjj** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:23 pm

Yes, welcome to the forum!

Pictures would definitely help (and we love to see 'em too!)...

78 rpm · Post by **78 rpm** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:11 pm

Hi Guys, thanks for the welcome.
thank you for your replies. it's a '76 model in fireglo. it's on ebay uk and at guitarvillage.co.uk . the trc doesn't have the model on it just the usual made in U.S.A. I take it they're good to play? I currently have a 330/6, 360/12, 620/6 and a 1997 but this would be a different type again?

godber · Post by **godber** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:47 pm

Chris, I think that guitar is seriously over priced for an 8/10 rating...by about a thousand quid! Honestly, shop around. They often come up in shops and private sales and listed here. It's also a guitar which divides opinion, so go and check it out and then see if you can get a more reasonably priced one.

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:55 pm

I find the 480 different to play than other Ric guitars because the neck is very slim (which I like) but also the neck is flat and has no radius shaping like other Ric necks. When I say "different", I do not mean this in a negative connotation. Its just a different feel than the 300 series and 600 series Rics and overall I think a 480 is a very comfortable guitar to play - and they are real eye-catchers !

The action on my 1973 model is very low, (see neck picture) resulting in the strings very close to the pickups and it's very loud !! My 480 has the most Gain sound of any of my Ric guitars.... it has those original 381 style High Gains from that era. See picture.
[It was refinished when I got it and the guy I bought it from had the skull switch and a bunch of stickers on it for his "metal" band image.].

: Schaller tuners replaced the originals when it was refinished. Note the Model Number 480 wording on the Truss Rod Cover.

badeggs · Post by **badeggs** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:11 pm

Checked out the listing, it's pretty stock as far as I can tell. The TRC may be original or not, they didn't always use the ones with the model #s on them. Looks real clean, too...but Mark is right - way overpriced! I'd think you could find a comparable late-70s 480 for half that.

480s are nasty little guitars, they almost got a Tele vibe to them. The necks/fretboards get thicker as the years go by - my '72 is about 0.9 inches, top of the board to the back of the neck (quite thin).

480s have a neck that slopes back at a slight angle from the body (the whole neck, as opposed to just the headstock being angled - notice the angle of the neck binding to the body in the pic I posted). And the flat fretboard turns some people off, so try before you buy!

And because I can't resist showing my 480 off:

redamber · Post by **redamber** » Wed May 01, 2013 4:46 pm

godber wrote:Chris, I think that guitar is seriously over priced for an 8/10 rating...by about a thousand quid! Honestly, shop around. They often come up in shops and private sales and listed here. It's also a guitar which divides opinion, so go and check it out and then see if you can get a more reasonably priced one.

I have to agree with godber. Here is my 1973 480 in Mapleglo, bought in the UK about 18 months ago for about one-third of the price which they are asking for the 1976 FG model. For as long as punters are stupid enough to keep paying these silly prices, the dealers will keep asking outrageous amounts. Do they not realise that we are in deep recession, that used guitar prices are in freefall and that many guitars are now changing hands for much more realistic prices on thriving markets on the internet and sites like the RRF? Little wonder that so many retail outlets are in trouble.

I am indebted to RRF member Grey (Erik Hazekamp - a source of great knowledge) for highlighting the minor mods to my 480 - but it is in great shape structurally and cosmetically and is certainly a safe 9/10. So, in summary Chris, hang on - your time will come!

78 rpm · Post by **78 rpm** » Wed May 01, 2013 6:41 pm

Hi Guys

thank you for all of your replies. I felt it was pricey at the time and they are offering a very low px for my blue boy 330 which I am trying to sell. good luck to them in their sale but it won't be me! I think the 480 looks good and if it plays as well? I shall keep looking!

collin · Post by **collin** » Wed May 01, 2013 10:55 pm

I'd say your Blue Boy 330 is worth more than a 480 - glad you didn't trade!

Grey · Post by **Grey** » Thu May 02, 2013 1:10 am

I looked at the listing and that is certainly more than an 8/10. I cannot find a single blemish on it and it probably the nicest, mintest 480 i've seen. That having been said, the price is absurd. It would be absurd even if it was 2500USD.

My 480 is close to that condition and was much, much less. If you want one of these, as James illustrated above with his MapleGlo 480, you can get them in great condition for a lot less.

godber · Post by **godber** » Thu May 02, 2013 8:42 am

Grey wrote:I looked at the listing and that is certainly more than an 8/10. I cannot find a single blemish on it and it probably the nicest, mintest 480 i've seen. That having been said, the price is absurd. It would be absurd even if it was 2500USD.

My 480 is close to that condition and was much, much less. If you want one of these, as James illustrated above with his MapleGlo 480, you can get them in great condition for a lot less.

ric480thatcouchshot2.PNG

I know that Chris is going to check it out personally, but as a word of caution, I bought an 8 or 9/10 from the same outlet a while back. The photos of it "bleached" out all trace of clearcoat finish scratches and indentations. The camera sometimes disguises.

I'm hot and cold with 480s, but yours is exemplary Erik.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Thu May 02, 2013 10:30 am

Five years ago when the market was more at its peak I balked at a burgundy one for $850. I thought that was over priced.

: Detroit Guitar Show 5-18-08

Grey · Post by **Grey** » Thu May 02, 2013 10:58 am

godber wrote:I'm hot and cold with 480s, but yours is exemplary Erik.

I appretiate it. These were made back when things were more... hands on. Granted Rickenbacker has done an great job of mainting a certain level of human-oriented craftsmenship, almost everything on these guitars and others from the time period were set and drilled by hand. As a result, each one is a bit different. Some just seem to "click" more than others with all the right details in the right places. The shape of the horns, the headstock crest, the finish.

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