The Rickenbacker company has been producing instruments that date back to 1931. In 1925, John Dopyera (and brothers) joined up with George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker. They formed National and started to build resonator guitars. Dopyera left the company and Rickenbacker, Beauchamp, and Dopyera´s nephew, Paul Barth, started to build electric lap steel guitars. Beauchamp left in the late 1920s and the company was in the hands of Rickenbacker and Barth. In 1931, they started building aluminum versions of the electric Frying Pan prototype. Rickenbacker was added to the headstock around 1933, and the company was born. Shortly thereafter in the 1930s, amplifiers were introduced as companions to their new electric Hawaiian lap steel guitars. Rickenbacker produced various models in the 1930s and 1940s, but didn't introduce a formal amplifier line until circa 1953 with the M Series. This was the same time that F.C. Hall bought Rickenbacker. The M Series were widely popular and produced into the early to mid-1960s when they were replaced by the B Series. In the late 1960s, they introduced the odd Transonic series, which featured solid-state chassis. Various tube and solid-state models were produced in the 1970s and the TR Series appeared in the late 1970s. In the mid-1980s, Rickebacker bought the Road trademark (Bob Ross of Kustom fame) and produced amplifiers under Rickenbacker/Road. In the late 1980s, they produced the RG series of solid-state amps, which represented the last amplifiers by Rickenbacker. They currently focus on acoustic and electric models. For more information on acoustic guitars, refer to the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars. For more information on electric guitars, refer to the Blue Book of Electric Guitars.
Amplifiers previously produced in Santa Ana, CA between the 1930s and the late 1980s.

RICKENBACKER Guitar Amplifiers Models

RICKENBACKER B-9 Image

RICKENBACKER B-9

- ~5W, 1-10 in. Jensen speaker, three tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 7025, power: 1 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, front control panel, four inputs, two gray knobs (v, tone), silver covering, silver grille cloth, mfg. mid-1960s.

RICKENBACKER TR7 Image

RICKENBACKER TR7

- 7W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, tremolo, front black and silver control panel, two inputs, six knobs (v1, v2, t, b, s, i), black grained vinyl covering, black grille, mfg. circa 1977-1984.

RICKENBACKER M-8 Image

RICKENBACKER M-8

- ~5W, 1-8 in. speaker, all-tube chassis, preamp: 6AV6 (12AX7or 12AU7 may have been used as well), power: 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, back control panel, two inputs, single volume knob with on/off switch, gray covering, brown grill...

RICKENBACKER TRANSONIC 100 Image

RICKENBACKER TRANSONIC 100

- 200W peak power, 1-15 in. or 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two channels, fuzz, reverb, tremolo, top/rear wood grain control panel, top control panel features nine knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, trem. speed, trem. depth, r,...

RICKENBACKER B-9A Image

RICKENBACKER B-9A

- similar to the B-9, except has a 12 in. Jensen speaker, tremolo circuit, four tube chassis (2 X 7025 preamp), and a tremolo speed control for a total of three knobs, mfg. mid-1960s.

RICKENBACKER TR14 Image

RICKENBACKER TR14

- 14W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, reverb, front black and silver control panel, two inputs, six knobs (v, b, m, t, r, distortion), black grained vinyl covering, black grille, mfg. circa 1983-84.

RICKENBACKER M-11 Image

RICKENBACKER M-11

- ~10W, 1-12 in. speaker, five tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6SC7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, top control panel, three inputs (mic, two inst.), three knobs (v1, v2, tone), gray covering, brown grille, mfg. early 1950s-early 1...

RICKENBACKER TRANSONIC 200 Image

RICKENBACKER TRANSONIC 200

- 350W peak power, 2-15 in., 4-12 in., or 2-12 in. and 1-15 in. speakers, guitar piggy-back configuration, solid-state chassis, two channels, fuzz, reverb, tremolo, top/rear wood grain control panel, top control panel features nine knobs (C...

RICKENBACKER TR25 Image

RICKENBACKER TR25

- 25W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, reverb, tremolo, front black and silver control panel, two inputs, eight knobs (v, b, m, t, r, s, i, distortion), black grained vinyl covering, black or silver grille, mfg. circa 1...

RICKENBACKER B-14A Image

RICKENBACKER B-14A

- wattage unknown, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, all-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, tremolo, front control panel, four inputs, five gray knobs (tone, s, d, v2, v1), silver covering, silver grille c...

RICKENBACKER M-11A Image

RICKENBACKER M-11A

- similar to the M-11, except has a tremolo circuit, six tube chassis, tremolo speed control for a total of four knobs, and a one-button footswitch, mfg. circa 1956-late 1950s.

RICKENBACKER M-12 Image

RICKENBACKER M-12

- ~10W, 2-12 in. speakers, five tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6SC7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, top control panel, three inputs (early models) or four inputs (later models), three knobs (v1, v2, tone), gray covering, brown gri...

RICKENBACKER TR35B BASS Image

RICKENBACKER TR35B BASS

- 35W, 1-15 in. speaker, bass combo, solid-state chassis, front black and silver control panel, two inputs, four knobs (v, b, m, t), preamp in/out, black grained vinyl covering, black or silver grille, mfg. circa 1980-84.

RICKENBACKER B-15 Image

RICKENBACKER B-15

- wattage unknown, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker plus a tweeter, tube chassis, two channels, front control panel, four inputs, four gray knobs (v1, v2, b, t), silver covering, silver grille cloth, mfg. mid-1960s.

RICKENBACKER TR50BH HEAD Image

RICKENBACKER TR50BH HEAD

- 50W, head unit, bass configuration, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black and silver control panel, five inputs (one stereo), eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: distort, b, m, t, v), black grained vinyl covering, black or silver...

RICKENBACKER M-14A Image

RICKENBACKER M-14A

- ~10W, 1-12 in. speaker, six tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6SC7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, tremolo, top control panel, four inputs, four knobs (v1, v2, tone, tremolo speed), gray covering, brown grille, 22 in. wide, 16 in....

RICKENBACKER M-15 Image

RICKENBACKER M-15

- wattage unknown, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker, seven tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 6SC7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5AR4, two channels, top control panel, four inputs , four knobs (v1, v2, t, b), gray covering, brown grille, mfg. circa 1953-early...

RICKENBACKER TR50GH HEAD Image

RICKENBACKER TR50GH HEAD

- 50W, head unit, guitar configuration, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black and silver control panel, five inputs (one stereo), eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, t, Ch. 2: distort, b, m, t, v), black grained vinyl covering, black or silv...

RICKENBACKER M-15A Image

RICKENBACKER M-15A

- similar to the M-15, except has a tremolo circuit, eight tube chassis, tremolo speed and intensity controls for a total of six knobs, and a one-button footswitch, mfg. circa 1956-late 1950s.

RICKENBACKER M-16 BASS Image

RICKENBACKER M-16 BASS

- ~50W, 4-10 in. Jensen speaker, seven tube chassis, two channels, top control panel, four inputs , four knobs (v1, v2, t, b), gray covering, brown grille, 26.5 in. wide, 21.5 in. tall, 8.5 in. deep, mfg. late 1950s-early 1960s.

RICKENBACKER M-22 Image

RICKENBACKER M-22

- wattage unknown, 2-15 in. speakers, eight tube chassis, three channels, top control panel, six inputs (two normal, two bass, one Variable Reluctance High Fidelity Phono, one for high fidelity FM tuner or Crystal pickup), six knobs (v1, v2...

RICKENBACKER B-16 SUPERSONIC Image

RICKENBACKER B-16 SUPERSONIC

- wattage unknown, 4-10 in. Jensen speakers, seven tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AU7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5AR4, two channels, front control panel, four inputs, five gray knobs (v1, v2, b, t, Brillante), silver covering, silv...

RICKENBACKER TR75GT Image

RICKENBACKER TR75GT

- 75W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black and silver control panel, four inputs, 10 knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, m, t, Ch. 2: v, b, t, p, r, distortion), black grained vinyl covering, black or silver gril...

RICKENBACKER M-23 Image

RICKENBACKER M-23

- wattage unknown, 3-12 in. speakers, eight tube chassis, three channels, top control panel, six inputs (two normal, two bass, one Variable Reluctance High Fidelity Phono, one for high fidelity FM tuner or Crystal pickup), six knobs (v1, v2...

RICKENBACKER TR100BH HEAD Image

RICKENBACKER TR100BH HEAD

- 100W, head unit, bass configuration, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black and silver control panel, five inputs (one stereo), eight knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, m, t, Ch. 2: distort, b, m, t, p, v), black grained vinyl covering, black or...

RICKENBACKER M-30 EK-O-SOUND Image

RICKENBACKER M-30 EK-O-SOUND

- wattage unknown, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, 11 tube chassis, two channels, echo effect, top control panel, two inputs, six knobs (inst. Ch. v, echo Ch. v, echo input, secondary echo level, echo decay, tone), slanted rear cabinet, gray cover...

RICKENBACKER TR100GH HEAD Image

RICKENBACKER TR100GH HEAD

- 100W, head unit, guitar configuration, solid-state chassis, two channels, front black and silver control panel, five inputs (one stereo), 10 knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, m, t, Ch. 2: distort, b, m, t, p, v), black grained vinyl covering, black or...

RICKENBACKER M-88 Image

RICKENBACKER M-88

- ~5W, 1-8 in. speaker, three tube chassis, preamp: 6AV6 (12AX7or 12AU7 may have been used as well), power: 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, back control panel, two inputs, two knobs (v, tone), gray covering, brown grille, 18 in. wide,...

RICKENBACKER MODEL 98 Image

RICKENBACKER MODEL 98

- wattage unknown, 3-8 in. Jensen speakers, five tube chassis, one top control panel with three knobs (v1, v2, tone), and pilot lights, one rear control panel with four inputs, accessory 110V outlet, input jack switch, gray covering, brown...

RICKENBACKER B-22D Image

RICKENBACKER B-22D

- wattage unknown, 2-15 in. speakers plus two tweeters, tube chassis, two channels, front control panel, inputs and controls unknown, silver covering, silver grille cloth, mfg. mid-1960s.

RICKENBACKER B-115 Image

RICKENBACKER B-115

- wattage unknown, 1-15 in. speaker, bass combo, tube chassis, seven tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 7025, 1 X 12AT7, power: 4 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front silver control panel, four inputs, various knobs, black covering, bla...

RICKENBACKER B-212 Image

RICKENBACKER B-212

- wattage unknown, 2-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, tube chassis, nine tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 7025, 1 X 12AT7, 1 X 12AU7, power: 4 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front silver control panel, four inputs, 12 knobs (Ch. 1: v, t,...

RICKENBACKER B-410 Image

RICKENBACKER B-410

- wattage unknown, 4-10 in. speakers, guitar combo, tube chassis, nine tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 7025, 1 X 12AT7, 1 X 12AU7, power: 4 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, two channels, front silver control panel, four inputs, 12 knobs (Ch. 1: v, t...