Ebay Rick 480

[vulcan_creedler]

OK - my first post over the dark side in the guitar forums!!!!! (I'm a 4001/4003 bassist!)

Okay - I play occasional rhythm guitar too, but I'm hopeless with 6 strings (but can do a few barre chords!)

Just seen a few 480s, on T'bay, and was wondering if anybody had any thoughts on the following axe, on Ebay UK:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RICKENBACKER- ... 3b0&_uhb=1

There's a few cracks in the lacquer, where the neck bolts in, and the treble pickup has been replaced, but it looks like that a proper Ric pickup could be re-used, in conjunction with a new pickguard, judging by the dimensions of the newer bladed pickup against the bridge. I was hoping that no major surgery, or corrective surgery, would be required!!!!!

Or is it best to walk away.......................

VC

[Grey]

The pickguard has been cut to accomodate the mounting plate around the treble pickup and also to add a mini toggle above the pickup selector switch, so you'd have to replace it if you removed those parts. The plate would leave screw holes behind that a Rick pickup wouldn't be able to cover up. That, combined with the shape its in and the fact that it dosen't have the original case, makes the asking price more than I would pay, espically if you factor in the money you'd have to spend after the fact to get it back to stock.

If you look at the bridge, the saddles are bottomed out and that could indicate an issue with the neck.

[jps]

If you look at the bridge, the saddles are bottomed out and that could indicate an issue with the neck.

Given the construction of the 480 wouldn't this be relatively simple to take care if a neck reset is required?

[Grey]

If you look at the bridge, the saddles are bottomed out and that could indicate an issue with the neck.

Given the construction of the 480 wouldn't this be relatively simple to take care if a neck reset is required?

Sure, but it's just one more issue ontop of the pile of issues that I see when I look at the guitar in that listing.

[jps]

i totally agree, but if the buyer is into DIY this could be a good project, and the neck issue might be a bargaining point, too. Case in point, Chip's 480 series restoration project.

[Grey]

i totally agree, but if the buyer is into DIY this could be a good project, and the neck issue might be a bargaining point, too. Case in point, Chip's 480 series restoration project.

I really don't see the bargain in an opening price of £875.00 for this, that's about 1200$. Now add on the cost of replacing the pickup and pickguard.

[vulcan_creedler]

The biggest worry for me, is the cracks visible in the lacquer by the neck plate. If these are deep enough, the integrity of the body is questionable!

Also - the bridge is missing its cover. I'm no expert on Ric 6-strings, bvut is the bridge same as fitted to current 6 strings, therefore, would a modern cover fit?

I'm considering a ridiculous offer!

Guy

[Grey]

Also - the bridge is missing its cover. I'm no expert on Ric 6-strings, bvut is the bridge same as fitted to current 6 strings, therefore, would a modern cover fit?

Yes, i've done it.

[vulcan_creedler]

Just talked to my luthier, Jonathan at Feline guitars (IMO - the best luthier in the UK), who reckons the cracks are repairable. Obviously he can't say for sure without the beast in his hands, so a punt may be worth it!

Thanks for the info on the bridge cover Erik!

As part of the surgery to correct for the bridge pickup, new timber will probably need to be glued in, and then re-routed. Does anybody know if the bridge pickup is mounted on foam, like current pickups? Is the routing slightly bigger than the actual pickup, or does the pickup sit ON the body, rather than IN it. Any pictures gratefully received!!!!

Now - how about an HB1 there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with a push/pull coil tap..............mmmmmmmm!!!!!

Guy

[jingle_jangle]

Those cracks are not merely "finish cracks". The body is at its weakest at that area--and is about 1/4" thick there, with the sharp inside routed corners being the place where stress is directed. The guitar has fallen or been dropped. Merely standing it on its center strap peg and dropping it flat onto its back onto a hard surface could cause those cracks, which are structural and will spread to the neck plate screw holes in time, if they haven't already. Knocking the headstock sharply could also cause these cracks.

The structure of this guitar is seriously compromised. It is, however, possible that super-gluing both cracks may salvage the body, as super glue is stronger than maple given enough bonding area. OTOH, if dirt or wax have migrated into the crack, it would not glue properly. The fact that the bridge is bottomed out indicates that the cracks are affecting the neck-set, which is typically spot-on from the factory, being determined by the depth of the rout and thickness of the bolt-on neck in that area.

This would also make it likely that the injury is old enough, and the cracks wide enough, to admit dirt and/or wax.

So, this is a ****-shoot. I would not buy this without reassuring myself with an in-person inspection.

A new pickguard would take care of the extra switch hole and also cover the top holes for that pickup ring. I'm not sure if a refitted Rick hi-gain would cover the bottom holes, however.

$1200.00 is a bit steep for the USA (about 30% too high IMO), but not too bad for the UK if an enthusiast wished to take on the challenge.

[jingle_jangle]

Surely there's nothing wrong with the term ****-shoot???

C'mon!!!

[8mileshigher]

Based on what Paul W and Guy have said about potential problems with the neck pocket and those cracks, this one may be very risky at that price level.

[vulcan_creedler]

I mentioned all the bad points to the vendor, to see if could budge on the price. His response was along the lines that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that the guitar was worth $2000-$3000 if it had its original case.

Alas - "head in the sand" springs to mind.

So, IMO - AVOID it like the plague!!!!!

[electrofaro]

I didn't even pay that much for my 480 and it was structurally okay, only needed a refretting really... this is an insane price if you ask me.

[sloop_john_b]

Surely there's nothing wrong with the term ****-shoot???

C'mon!!!

Naughty boy!