Rickenbacker 481

[DavidW]

I understand these are extremely rare, only two made? But does anybody have more detailed of the three pick up german carving model with a "black/autumn" burst? It's such a rare and interesting Rick, I don't care if I never get to hold it. I saw in an old thread that it sol dat Guitar Broker several years back?

David

P.S. I must thank the forum for putting up with my questions, soon I'll be able to contribute too

[Grey]

Huh??? Pics please.

Is it even physically possible to fit 3 of those big 481 humbuckers on a guitar?

[jfine]

Are you sure you're not thinking of the 381? That's a hollowbody with a German carve on both the top and back, and there was a very rare three-pickup variant. The 481 was a solidbody with the same shape as the 4003 bass, with a flat top (no German carve), slanted frets, and two big humbucker pickups that I don't think have been used on any other Rick model.

[Grey]

Like this? http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/3 ... 693-pu.htm

[electrofaro]

For completeness we should point out that the 3-PU version is the 483, but that it is based on the 480, not the slanted-fret 481.
I do also think he might be mixing up 481 and 381 by the fact he's referring to a german carve, which excludes the 480/481/483.

[DavidW]

My mistake everyone, I was referring to model "384". Here's a picture of it.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/gallery_ima ... _year=1950

It's the only picture of it I can find, but there's also a non german carve version, which is more or less like a full-bodied capri.

[electrofaro]

My mistake everyone, I was referring to model "384". Here's a picture of it.

Ah, no worries!

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a flat version of 384 or 381 just an early, 1950s Capri before they went slimline?

[DavidW]

The 384's were "full-bodied", which I was lead to believe meant they were thicker than the typical Capri width of 2"....but I could be wrong. Somebody at ric might have some insight, I'm not sure how many people know that this model even existed.

[electrofaro]

Quick check in books & RIC website to compare the thickness:

- Thin Body Series like early 330 = about 2 inch
- Thin Full-Body Series like 330F = about 2.5 inch
- Thick Body Series like 381 = about 2.5 inch

Smith describes one 381 prototype as being like a 360 but about twice as thick. Not sure if he means compared to the current 360 thickness though, or really 4 inch

Anyway, we shouldn't get distracted from your question about the black/autumnburst though - if a picture exists it will be interesting!

[egosheep]

I understand these are extremely rare, only two made? But does anybody have more detailed of the three pick up german carving model with a "black/autumn" burst?

[DavidW]

I'd hadn't seen the first one, but the second one is what I posted up above. I was hoping for more recent pictures seeing as how it sold back in 2001? give or take a couple of years. Probably a pipe dream, though.

[egosheep]

I'd hadn't seen the first one, but the second one is what I posted up above. I was hoping for more recent pictures seeing as how it sold back in 2001? give or take a couple of years. Probably a pipe dream, though.

Hi David, I didn't see that you had already posted a photo. I believe these are two pictures of the same guitar. It's features are pretty unusual, like the chrome brackets for the pickguard.