Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are you able to identify some of the key factors responsible for RIC's decision to stop the production of amplifiers? I have heard that the liability insurance was one of these factors, however, I am wondering what others may have been responsible for the company's decision. Some of the larger transonic amplifiers seemed to be highly sought after at one time. Thanks for any insight that you may be able to provide.

Liability insurance premiums was the ONLY reason given for abandoning the amp line. They were paying out more in premiums than they were taking in profit. Mr. Hall's comment (1994): "Peavey, Fender and Marshall can afford it. They have the numbers. We're doing just fine making guitars. We don't want to have anything to do with anything that plugs into the wall."

I was given the same answer by John Hall in June, '98.

Tracy's answer misquotes me a bit. What I said was that most smaller amp companies do not have product liability insurance and one serious injury claim could easily put them out of business. Large companies like Fender and Peavey probably self-insure as they can likely handle a sizeable claim. However, I won't jeopardize my company by operating without it and it simply became too expensive for anything that plugs into the wall.

Hi,

I have a Rickenbacker TR7 amp bought about 10 years ago here in the UK for £40. I've never seen one nor has any of my friends and I was wondering on it's history. Serial No: is 001535

Anybody know anything?

Paul: There should be two letters that precede the numbers in that serial. Can you post what they are? These amplifiers went out of production around 1986.