Restoring a 480...

[electrofaro]

Brand: Rickenbacker
Model: 480 JG
Year: 1975 February (OB796)
Current State: Semi-Playable

I've decided to start "restoring" the '75 480. As I don't have unlimited finances I've decided to go at it in 3 phases.

Phase A
- new bridge
- bridge cover
- new strings
- modern Schaller style strap pins

Phase B (which will be done by De Gier : http://www.degiergitaarbouw.nl/)
- new frets
- new nut
- new colour

Phase C (optional)
- new pick-ups
- new tuners
- new control buttons
- Pickguardian custom pickguard (to finish the project eventually)

So far I haven't made up my mind about the colour just yet. Depends on what the wood looks like when they've stripped the JG off.
Any remarks about doing things in different order are welcome, as I've never done anything like this before...

(I still have to upload pictures of the current state to the register)

[kiramdear]

Werner,

This sounds like a very sensible and good plan. The first part is something you can accomplish easily by yourself.

Cool website for Gier, too. You guys are so advanced with this web stuff. And I notice they are hiring. What a great job for me if I still lived there!

[electrofaro]

Well, I took the 480 apart, cleaned it and now it looks like this (see picture attached)

Note: from the inside of the plug-in hole came a small rubber ring - I have no idea where it should be so I kept it out - if anyone has an idea please tell me so I can fix it. I can take a picture of it if needed...

[johnallg]

Tiny rubber grommet? If so, it goes between the neck pickup and the guard with the height screw through it. Should be one at both screw positions.

[electrofaro]

Tiny rubber grommet? If so, it goes between the neck pickup and the guard with the height screw through it. Should be one at both screw positions.

A-ha! Thanks!

I just got one of those though... maybe I can find something similar in a DIY shop...

[johnallg]

If it still has both "layers" of rubber - ie a complete grommet that looks like a bagel with cream cheese in the middle, then slice it in half (through the "cream cheese" part) and use one "donut" on each side where the height screws are. Allows you to raise the pickup higher then a full grommet that way also. Just be careful not to ever overtighted the height screws or it will crack the pickguard.

[electrofaro]

Well, it's only half a grommet... I should've recognised it myself when I saw it... it did look vaguely familiar

Right now the bridge pick-up's on it without anything between it and the pickguard. I guess it's how I got the 480 as I can't see how half of this grommet could've come off in one piece before I unscrewed the pick-up from the plate... I'm glad I can fix this now. Thanks for helping out - much appreciated

[electrofaro]

Phase A
- new bridge
- bridge cover
- new strings
- modern Schaller style strap pins

So far I've managed to clean and restore the bridge, but still need those little rubber gromits. And put new strings on it. It's really in need of a fretjob, though... too bad I got fired because it's got to wait now. Not sure I even want to play it without new frets