Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Lest you think my photo was a Phtoshop job, too, note that I've done a dozen or so of these modifications and they hold up fine. There's only about 2mm of meat in the spring pad, but it's enough to hold very well. I think the screws would pull out before the Bigsby fails. It's WAAAAY over designed in every way.

There's even room to thicken the center of the spring pad to further reinforce that area for a screw boss.

jingle_jangle wrote:Lest you think my photo was a Phtoshop job, too, note that I've done a dozen or so of these modifications and they hold up fine. There's only about 2mm of meat in the spring pad, but it's enough to hold very well. I think the screws would pull out before the Bigsby fails. It's WAAAAY over designed in every way.

There's even room to thicken the center of the spring pad to further reinforce that area for a screw boss.

Well you definitely did a nice job on the mod. I looks so clean, it looks like it came that way. So much so they should post this picture in the back of a guitar rag and ask readers "what is different?" and see if anyone even picks up on it!

Cool idea, Chip. Imagine this mod done to Erik's photoshopped AZ 480 further up in the thread. I look at the pic, see the tab, and it jumps out at me...without the tab, the super-clean look is preserved.

Would I drill holes in a 480 to mount a B5? That's today's toughest question! I will tell you that I'd never do that to a 481...

jingle_jangle wrote:Would I drill holes in a 480 to mount a B5? That's today's toughest question! I will tell you that I'd never do that to a 481...

That is a tough question. I think it would come down to whether or not you'd REALLY use the Bigsby or if the guitar was already chopped up/beat up anyway. Otherwise I think I'd keep it original (less reversible mods).

Amen to that, Chip...

My comment re: the 481 was in light of, not only the rarity and desirability of those beauties, but also that all of the naughty bits on a 481 are set at a 7 degree angle. Tacking on something that is square would make the whole thing look terribly out-of-kilter. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

If the 480 didn't have an 'R' tailpiece, i'd put a Bigsby on it. I have one on the SG and love it. But the Rick is fine just as it is, and when I need to use the whanger (as chet would call it) I use the SG.

There's one in the Register with some off-brand Bigsby style trem. I think it'd look better with the tailpiece bracket removed though.
http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D4

Too much anlaytical thinking there...

Makes perfect sense to line up the bracket and strap bolt with the center of the Fakobigsby. But then the strings won't have a straight shot to the bridge. So it makes perfect sense, too, to **** the Fakobigsby to satisfy both requirements.

Result is one spoiled guitar and many pairs of crossed eyes.

If it makes sense, it won't necessarily end up looking right...

jingle_jangle wrote:Amen to that, Chip...

My comment re: the 481 was in light of, not only the rarity and desirability of those beauties, but also that all of the naughty bits on a 481 are set at a 7 degree angle. Tacking on something that is square would make the whole thing look terribly out-of-kilter. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

Oh, agreed Paul. Shame on me as I was being self-centered and thinking of my 480's. Doing it to a 481 with slanted bits would make me dizzy, like watching those Batman TV show reruns with the angled shots!!!

Here are a couple of shots of this Daphne Blue painted 480 that I picked up this week.

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=401843

It has not been Zymolized or cleaned up yet .... still with the skull switch and sticker residue, gunk and rust etc. from its previous owners. The seller claims he was the second owner, bought it four years ago (when it was refinished) at a guitar shop in the Mid West. The Bridge has been replaced and the old wiring harness was in a baggie. Otherwise its prior thirty three years are unexplained. The Volume/Tone controls have all been switched around. I haven't had time to take off the pickguard yet and look inside. The pick-ups appear to crank, but I've only tested it late at night on a practice amp. There are no round-tops on these High Gains - appear to be old-style threaded rods ? The R-tail piece is potted and cruddy.

It's serial # indicates March of 1973.

We're looking to find a nice Ric case for this baby, to give it a proper home.

Here's some close ups of the Pick ups and Bridge. I guess they are originals as there is some rust and imperfections on the chrome. I'm guessing the pick guard is a replacement as its in great condition. The neck is great and real low action.

More pics to come in a few days after I start cleaning the sticker residue up, etc.

Well, I had to go take a few more pictures afterall. Sorry it was dark and no other lighting in the room, (except the flash) so these are not the best pics.

Last pics for now (tonight) of this Daphne Blue refinished 480

The tuners have been replaced too, those look like Grovers so the holes have probably been reamed. Missing the foam pad under the bridge pickup. Otherwise it looks to be in good shape, just dirty.
I got all the parts for my 480 when I replaced the rusty hardware from POTR so if you're looking I reccomend starting here http://www.pickofthericks.com They have the switch tip, all the various types of screws, etc. in one place.
It's a pretty easy to navigate site, but I can give you a list of which screws match which parts, if you want.

Spike- wrote:The tuners have been replaced too, those look like Grovers

I checked - they are Schallers .... but maybe replacements from a later era ??

That would be good to get a list of screws hardware/pieces. Much obliged.

Erik, a question if you note on the Neck pick-up, the strings are off centered from the pole pieces. Not lined up over the mark at all. Are yours like that, or am I possibly dealing with the workmanship of an inexperienced luthier who might have inadvertantly flipped the PUP around, making the strings off centered, when he screwed the PUP into the replacement guard ? ?