This is an extremely rare chance to own a Rickenbacker 480. As far as I know this is one of only two currently available to buy in the UK. They very rarely come up for sale - and when they do it's usually in Japan. I've owned this guitar for almost 20 years but I very rarely play it and it mostly just sits on the wall looking great, so it's time to move it on.
So what we have here is a 1974 model in Jetglo black and reasonably good condition for a 50 year old guitar. The 480 was made between 1973 and 1984 and in fairly small numbers. The 480 came fitted with the standard Rickenbacker "hi-gain" pickups.
This particular guitar is great to play, sounds nice, responds really well to effects, and has an easy low action. However, it does have a few issues.
Firstly, I took it to a luthier about 6 years ago as the pots were pretty scratchy and one pickup had stopped working. He had a good look at it, fixed the pickup, and told me I could either have the whole wiring harness properly serviced at great cost, or just replace it for quite a bit less. I opted for replacement. I still have the original wiring harness and it will go with the guitar in case you want to get it serviced and re-fit it. The replacement harness is the correct USA made OEM one - but it's not the 1974 original. The pickups are still the original ones. The bridge pickup is bright and clear but a bit lacking in guts. The neck pickup is rich and solid sounding.
Secondly, while the guy had it, he told me that it was originally Burgundyglo. So the Jetglo black colour is not original. I knew that anyway, as the paint job is pretty terrible and amateurish - and looks pretty scruffy. I quite like it - but you might want to get it taken off and repainted properly. There are several bumps and scratches in the wood - and I suspect this paint job was done to cover up a hard life in the guitar's early years.
Thirdly, he also told me that the guitar had two cracks on the back - either side of the neck - that had been repaired at some time in the past. I have included a picture at an angle that shows the repaired cracks. They have never been an issue in 20 years and the guitar is solid and resonant. If you're going to get the guitar re-sprayed you could get the finish smoothed off and bring it back to the original perfect condition.
Fourthly, one of the adjuster bolts on the bridge is missing. It works perfectly well without it, but it needs replacing really.
Lastly, the machine heads are Schaller ones and I don't know if they are original or not. They've certainly been there since before i got it. One of the machine head locators on the front of the headstock is different from the other 5 but, again, it makes no difference unless you want to bring it back to showroom condition.
Apart from the above things the guitar is in great condition. None of these affect it's playing or integrity, but I want to be 100% honest about the issues. After all, this guitar is 50 years old.
On 02-May-24 at 21:47:28 BST, seller added the following information:Please remember you are bidding to buy. You are welcome to come and view. I'm afraid the original case was stolen at a gig many years ago but the guitar will be very well bubble-wrapped and packaged in a reinforced box. You can, obviously, come and collect if you prefer.
On 03-May-24 at 12:19:01 BST, seller added the following information:Just to add that I've been advised by a Rickenbacker expert that the scratchplate/pick guard is a slightly different shape to some other 480's so it may not be original. I can't confirm that but just wanted to let you all know. Google it and see what you think. 🤔