Rickenbacker bass amp

[paulo]

Just curious if any of you guys know anything about this amp... Have any of you guys played/owned one? There's an add on local CL for $350 but not sure about the price. Is the amp any good?

[GIBrat51]

Not specifically, no. But I have two Rickenbacker guitar amps - A TR-7 and a TR-15 - that should be pretty similar. So..
Rick's TR amp series are first generation solid state amps, from the very early '70s. Solid state amps from that time are not well thought of - then, or now. Their performance was usually pretty dismal; any halfway decent tube amp could easily out-perform one. It's that bad beginning, I think, that's probably the reason so many people still don't care for them. However...
The Rick TRs are far and away the exception. The man Rickenbacker hired to design them was an electronic genius (really), and the TRs were probably the best solid state amps you could get at the time. After Rickenbacker went out of the amp business, he went on to design the better solid state ones we have today. Like I said, I have 2; and IMO, as small guitar combo amps go, they definitely can hold their own against anything you can get new today. Played through the TR-7, with a little reverb and delay, my Rick 330 guitar is a jangly Surf Rock monster; the sound is unbelievable.. If everything works as it's supposed to, that is not a bad price at all. TR bass amps are pretty darn scarce; much more so than the guitar amps (and even they are thin upon the ground..).

[paulo]

Not specifically, no. But I have two Rickenbacker guitar amps - A TR-7 and a TR-15 - that should be pretty similar. So..
Rick's TR amp series are first generation solid state amps, from the very early '70s. Solid state amps from that time are not well thought of - then, or now. Their performance was usually pretty dismal; any halfway decent tube amp could easily out-perform one. It's that bad beginning, I think, that's probably the reason so many people still don't care for them. However...
The Rick TRs are far and away the exception. The man Rickenbacker hired to design them was an electronic genius (really), and the TRs were probably the best solid state amps you could get at the time. After Rickenbacker went out of the amp business, he went on to design the better solid state ones we have today. Like I said, I have 2; and IMO, as small guitar combo amps go, they definitely can hold their own against anything you can get new today. Played through the TR-7, with a little reverb and delay, my Rick 330 guitar is a jangly Surf Rock monster; the sound is unbelievable.. If everything works as it's supposed to, that is not a bad price at all. TR bass amps are pretty darn scarce; much more so than the guitar amps (and even they are thin upon the ground..).

Thanks for the info!
This is a TR35B. I may give it a shot!

[fivebass52]

From this website.... http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum/viewt ... f=8&t=8639


Here's the description from the RIckenbacker Solid State Amplifier Series catalog:

"MODEL TR-35B...The Model TR-35B is a low-priced, highly portable amplifier, specifically designed to complement a varied range of instruments. The TR-35B combines all the features found on other TR series amplifiers, such as pre-amp in/out, external speaker jack, and a single 15" speaker specially designed for maximum projection built into a surprisingly versatile unit weighing only 35 pounds. Reasonably priced, this conservatively rated 35 watt amplifier is perfect for practicing, recording and performing small club engagements. Its wide range of tonal response makes it the ideal companion for the multi-instrumentalist."

So, a good practice amp/small gig combo... but, after doing a Google search, enough bass players seem to think it sounds better than most of this size... besides, it looks retro, so it's cool! The only thing is if you're willing to part with $350 for it. I think a better price would be in the $250-300 range, and even then it's limited to small gigs....

[paulo]

I was thinking about using it at home so should be good enough but I was concerned about the price, I also think $250 would be a go price for it. I'll try!

[NoXX]

I was thinking about using it at home so should be good enough but I was concerned about the price, I also think $250 would be a go price for it. I'll try!

Quite a bit of discussion on this amp on Talkbass- it gets mixed reviews, so I'd urge you to try it first to see if you love it. Some guys love it, but Johnk, who usually has very good advice, hates it with a passion.... Either way I think $350 is a bit steep for s solid state amp from that era.

[paulo]

I was thinking about using it at home so should be good enough but I was concerned about the price, I also think $250 would be a go price for it. I'll try!

Quite a bit of discussion on this amp on Talkbass- it gets mixed reviews, so I'd urge you to try it first to see if you love it. Some guys love it, but Johnk, who usually has very good advice, hates it with a passion.... Either way I think $350 is a bit steep for s solid state amp from that era.

I may have to hold on to this one for now but maybe down the road if he still have it i'll give it a shot!
Thanks guys for all the info, it was really helpful!