Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While watching the Cheap Trick compilation video "Every Trick In The Book," I noticed that Robin Zander is playing what appears to be a model 610 on "Way Of The World" from the album DREAM POLICE (1979). I have also seen what appears to be the same guitar show up in later live performances from the early 80's with what appears to be an Ovation 12 string neck! Can anybody fill in the details? And what about the "Lightshow" that Zander is playing in the video for "Wherever Will I Be?"

That guitar is a Hamer 12-string. In the early days of the band Robin played an early model 610. The Hamer has the same body style. As far as I know it's a one-off custom model as I've never seen another.

True, the 12 is a Hamer custom-made for Robin, and he does always pull out the Rick for a portion of each show (particularly "I Want You To Want Me"). And I think the Lightshow from the "Wherever Will I Be" video is a rental, I don't think he owns it. I've never seen it before or since.
"I've seen Cheap Trick 51 times!"

There's a story about that Rick. Did it belong to the Ramones? Sombody here knows...

Not a 610 in the Way Of The World video. It's a '50s 450 MG, with an anodized-gold guard. (See also the gatefold pic from CT Live At Budukan.)

Robin told me he borrowed the Lightshow from our very own Mr. NcGuinn, which makes it the famous 341/12 SF, I believe...

Cheap Trick rented quite a bit of gear from us for the "Wherever Will I Be" video.

The Lightshow in the video is McGuinn's 341/12SF. I was trying to get them to buy it and the 4005L bass we had at the same time to go with the Transonics they got from us. Their loss. McGuinn has the Lightshow again, and it's currently hanging in the R&R Hall of Fame.

Scott: As always some more interesting history. Can you or anyone else comment on the playability of the slanted fret model?

Also Scott, what were the Transonics like to play through? I saw Led Zep in 1969 and they were using them.

I'm a lefty, so the slant fret models are hopelessly backward to me. I seriously doubt any lefty slant fret models were produced.

The Transonics were very similar to Vox Super Beatles, except louder and more fun to look at. I had those Led Zep amps way back when. I even tried to sell one to John Paul Jones one day without knowing who he was. Everyone else got a big laugh out of that. He looked more like Zep's accountant than a member of the band when he came in... oh well.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a 4-12 Transonic cab on Ebay right now! CHEAP!

There sure is!

Didn't notice the seller until now! Good luck Kenny! If I didn't live in Michigan, I might be taking more than a passing interest in it!

I was able to have my above question answered last night in a brief dialogue with Rick Neilson after their show in upstate NY. He said that Robin owned the 450 way before the Ramones. I'm not sure where I heard that rumor.

By the way, I asked for an autograph that included "Rickenbackers Rule". He obliged with a hearty chuckle and wrote "R R". I really didn't want his autograph...just a chance to ask him that question. But it would have been silly to not have him sign something, since that is what he was doing!

Here's a recent shot of Robin and his 450.

It's possible he didn't oblige with the "Rickenbackers Rule" because it may violate some other endorsements..