Rickenbacker 481 - who remembers it?

[Chris Pile]

When I started in the music biz in the mid-70's, I worked a couple years at a store with a Rickenbacker franchise. We carried all of them - basses, guitars, the works. We even kept double necks in stock. One of the coolest guitars was a white 481 with black binding, bolt-on neck with 24 slanted frets, and these huge humbuckers that had a beefy non-Rick sound. It was easy to play, and I loved the tone - especially for crunchy rock stuff. Only made for a couple years, they are impossible to find these days. If I could find some of those pickups, I'd build a whole guitar around them - they were uniquely cool.

 

[Mincer]

Have to say, I wasn't aware of this model.

 

[Securb]

I have gassed over the 481 for years.

 

[solspirit]

Looks like a comfortable guitar too

 

[beaubrummels]

I've seen them but never had an opportunity to play one.

 

[Synapsys]

Guess Ibanez stole that slanted frets idea for the new Q series...

 

[Chris Pile]

Guess Ibanez stole that slanted frets idea for the new Q series...

Possible, but doubtful.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

An 8˚ tilt on all the frets was an option Rick offered on the 360 from 1968, then in the 70s they came out with the 481. I think this is talked about in Tony Bacon's Rickenbacker book in passing, not much info out there. A cool obscurity.

Where exactly Ibanez got the idea for the Q guitars (which also have an 8˚ tilt), no idea.

 

[Chris Pile]

Where exactly Ibanez got the idea for the Q guitars (which also have an 8%; tilt), no idea.

I'm gonna say a request by certain artists who consult for Ibanez.

 

[Benjy_26]

What are the benefits of the fret slant?

 

[JOLLY]

I can't say as I recall ever seeing one of those, but I like it.

 

[Wattage]

Played one once in the early 80's, didn't dig it at all

 

[Chris Pile]

What are the benefits of the fret slant?

The fingers naturally pivot about 8 degrees, so the idea is that playing slanted frets is more comfy.

 

[Benjy_26]

The fingers naturally pivot about 8 degrees, so the idea is that playing slanted frets is more comfy.

Got it.

​​​​​I was thinking it was an intonation thing.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I think I dig the 360 a tad more in this format. Looks a bit more subtle too. I think they had a patent on this slant as well, but assume it has expired?

I'm gonna say a request by certain artists who consult for Ibanez.

Could be. There seems to be a lot more broader artist involvement in recent times.

 

[playas]

Got it.

​​​​​I was thinking it was an intonation thing.

I thought that too but if you look at the nut and bridge they have a similar angle also.

 

[GuitarStv]

Played one once in the early 80's, didn't dig it at all

I've only played a few Rickenbackers . . . but they were uniformly terrible feeling. Didn't like the necks at all.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I've never heard of that model but it's a very interesting idea. I'm curious enough to make a neck with slanted frets just to see how it feels.
I understand how some people may have a hard time with Ric necks, but they are not difficult to get used to if you play them for more than a few minutes. (They certainly aren't shred necks).

 

[Mincer]

The modern version of fanned frets is to have a different scale length for the lower strings, so they sound better. But I like this ergonomic reason better. I wonder why it never took off?