Brand: Rickenbacker
Instrument Categories: Electric, Guitars, SOLD, Solidbody
Built from 1973 to 1984, the Rickenbacker Model 480 featured the Cresting Wave body design taken from the iconic Model 4000 Series basses. The Cresting Wave was a design by Roger Rossmeisl, who was also responsible for the Rickebacker 300 series thinline guitars, and the Fender Telecaster Thinline. These guitars are fairly rare – until this came in, I had only ever seen offshore copies of this guitar, many years ago. The largest structural difference between the Model 480 and model 4000 series basses is that the 480 has a bolt-on maple neck instead of through-neck construction.
This example of the Model 480 dates to February 1973, so it is a fairly early example. It is in complete and largely original condition, even the bridge cover is still in place. Fretwear is minimal., The finish has a bit of wear around the edges, particularly on the lower treble bout edge. The Treble Tone knob has chipped. The pickups are the original High Gain models.
The pickguard looks to have been replaced – it is a single layer plastic guard, a little oversize around the neck pickup. Most stock Rickenbacker pickguards are plexiglass, and are more prone to breakage than vinyl-based plastics. At the time this guitar was built, the pickguard material was Rohm and Haas plexiglas. When Rohm and Haas sold that division in 1998, Rickenbacker started using other brands of acrylic sheet plastic, carefully selecting each batch.
This guitar has been recently set up in our shop, and plays well, and is quite comfortable. Overall this is an unusual guitar that works well and would really stand out. The original hardshell case is included.
Click here to view the 1975 Rickenbacker catalog page for the model 480!
- Model: 480
- Year: 1973
- Finish Burgundy
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: MB 644, dates to February 1973 at the Rickenbacker shop in Santa Ana, California.
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 01/05/2017
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
