Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been using a transonic 200 I stumbled across a couple of years ago. It is unique in sound and appearance. I also use Fender and Vox tube amps, and I don't mind the lack of tubes at all in the transonic. Mine is very warm with very strong midrange and treble punch, remarkably like you would expect from a Rick guitar. It breaks up nicely when pushed a little. I bought it for the cabinet alone (2-12", 1-15") thinking the amp would be unsalvageable. I found Bob Rissi through this forum and he made the amp almost like new. He's amazing to talk to and is extremely generous with his help. So although I'm not a collector I ended up with this fantastic thing. The only problem is that it is so loud it needs to be played in a big room and I'm afraid to take it out of the house. I play bass as well and even with my Ric 4001 bass I don't like the transonic as a bass amp, but it makes every guitar I have sound great.

There is an article in the December 2010 issue of Vintage Guitar magazine on the Transonic amps.

For a bit of eye candy, recently on ebay, two 2 x 15" Transonic cabs:

The responses to the Article in " Vintage Guitar Mag " are very much appreciated.
I have always been proud of the Transonic Amplifiers. I was allowed to have complete control
of the circuit designs, & basic styling, as long as they were designed to be extremely reliable.
I just want to say, I must thank France Hall for giving me the chance to build something of
great quality that will endure for years to come. I also must thank John Hall for continuing
the Rickenbacker tradition of excellence and quality in building Guitars.
I am very proud to have been a part of Rickenbacker's history.

Bob Rissi

In support of transistors, my bass in process will be a bi-amped bass rig. I've a Peavey preamp with a tube side and solid state side. To drive the mids, I have an old Mesa Boogie tube power amp. To drive the woofers, I'm looking at used Crest solid state power amps.

Great photo, Bob! Do you recall the year that was made?

Wow, that might be the prototype Transonic 200 that Bob is leaning on. Amazing. I wonder where it is today.