Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Tom would have no problem either bending strings on a Ric or doing lead runs. Considering all of his years on 12 string bass (which he invented with Paul and Jol from Hamer).
Tom has long used Ric products. His stage rig for years included Ric Transinic cabinets that Jimmy Page used on Zep's '69 tour.

admin wrote:

well...that is a PEA GREEN Rick, is it NOT??

... or perhaps a Blue Boy under the lights.

Could it be MG, like mine?! The head stock laminates look to be visible, so that wouldn't be seen on a solid color, right?

I just watched the SXSW show on HDNET.Someone had a transonic onstage.

bartyclue wrote:I just watched the SXSW show on HDNET.Someone had a transonic onstage.

Right next to Dax in fact! Next to the Transonic was a set of Hiwatt stacks, then a pair of vintage AC-30s. And the Transonic was miked, so it wasn't just a stage accessory (like all but 1 of Rick's custom cabs were light boxes). But what a cool show it was.

bitzerguy wrote:

bartyclue wrote:I just watched the SXSW show on HDNET.Someone had a transonic onstage.

Right next to Dax in fact! Next to the Transonic was a set of Hiwatt stacks, then a pair of vintage AC-30s. And the Transonic was miked, so it wasn't just a stage accessory (like all but 1 of Rick's custom cabs were light boxes). But what a cool show it was.

Agreed.. I had forgotten how good they were live until I watched the show. Saw them years ago with Kiss when they were the opener. Not having the use of the full PA, they really didnt impress that much. Later when they became headliners they came back and blew the place apart. Zander is such an underrated vocalist IMHO. Another thing I noticed was the grill cloth on the transonic was ripped in a few places. I dont know if he didnt want to destroy the authenticity of the amp, but I thought what a pity he doesnt take better care of it.

It's always cool to see Cheap Trick using Ricks! One of the best live shows I've seen, was Cheap Trick in the late 90s, at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Fantastic show! They nailed all of their parts to a tee! Ya know, I wouldn't be surprised if that 330/12 is a mapleglo. It has the same kind of maple/walnut laminations in the headstock my maplego 360 has.

It's a MG under the lights. I've seen other shots of it before under more natural light/white light. Very Cool stuff!


Good one, Bad Ronbo! "Tom grabbed the wrong 12 string."

Funny comment about Rick's rig. Most of the onstage amps and speakers are Tom's (the Transonics, Hiwatts, etc). The last few times Ive seen the band, I was either backstage or onstage at some point. Most of Rick's stuff (a wall of black and white checkerboard Gibson amps) were for appearances or, I'm more convinced, part of an endorsement deal fulfillment. I got to whack a few chords through his rig (playing the checkerboard Hamer Standard from Dream Police) and he still uses two Fender Rivera-modded heads. Great live shows still.

paologregorio wrote:It's a MG under the lights. I've seen other shots of it before under more natural light/white light. Very Cool stuff!


Good one, Bad Ronbo! "Tom grabbed the wrong 12 string."

It might be really detuned...

Eden.

bartyclue wrote:I just watched the SXSW show on HDNET.Someone had a transonic onstage.

I saw that last night as well - great show! At one point Tom was playing the twelve string bass, Robin had a twelve string Telecaster and Rick was playing an eight string guitar - three guys, thirty-two strings!
Speaking of the eight string Rick was playing, does anyone know what it is? Its a Hamer explorer shape that looks like it has four string choruses. It also looks like it might be a bit bigger than a standard guitar. Mando guitar maybe?

86kubicki wrote:

bartyclue wrote:I just watched the SXSW show on HDNET.Someone had a transonic onstage.

I saw that last night as well - great show! At one point Tom was playing the twelve string bass, Robin had a twelve string Telecaster and Rick was playing an eight string guitar - three guys, thirty-two strings!
Speaking of the eight string Rick was playing, does anyone know what it is? Its a Hamer explorer shape that looks like it has four string choruses. It also looks like it might be a bit bigger than a standard guitar. Mando guitar maybe?

Mandocello..... I think it is used for a song called.... Mandocello...

Eden.

Thanks Eden! Here's a little blurb from Hamer about this instrument:
"This eight string instrument dates back to our early days with Cheap Trick, when we constructed a "Standard" version for Nielsen to use on the band's song "Mandocello." Its unique sound comes from four pairs of unison strings tuned like a cello starting at a low "C."

86kubicki wrote:Thanks Eden! Here's a little blurb from Hamer about this instrument:
"This eight string instrument dates back to our early days with Cheap Trick, when we constructed a "Standard" version for Nielsen to use on the band's song "Mandocello." Its unique sound comes from four pairs of unison strings tuned like a cello starting at a low "C."

A "real" mandocello (made by Gibson in the teens) is a superb sound like no other. I recently had to pass on a cheap one and was very sad.

On my list of things to do someday is to restore a wrecked Ric 12 string guitar and make it a mandocello. And/or get a Gibson K-4.

I made an electric Mandocello for my niece with a teardrop body and all.
I've started on another for myself but with 10 strings this time (which makes it a cittern)

Fun to play...

Eden.

I played an Eastman mandocello last year at a local shop - tremendous sound!