Rickenbacker Style 3 Model Small Combo Tube Amplifier, c. 1935, made in Los Angeles, serial # B-350, black fabric covering finish.
"The Speaker" was the original nickname for this, what was considered one of the VERY first practical commercially available guitar amplifiers. This model was featured in the earliest Rickenbacker (or "Rickenbacher") catalogs, pictured alongside the iconic A-25 "Frying Pan" lap steel. It is said to have been designed by C.W. Lane, one of Electro Strings stockholders and built by the Van Nest radio shop in L.A. The special small black case was provided by Johnson Cabinet Works. This particular amp is the third known variant of this initial design; the very first had no metal corners, nor did they feature the "Rickenbacher" logo plate on the face which appeared around 1934.
Like other Ricenbacker amps of the era, the enclosure has Black Keratol covering over the wood box and a gold grille cloth. In 1932 three versions of the model were sold accommodating up to three inputs, priced at $62.50, $65 and $70, respectively. This being the "two input" model, the control panel is as simple as can be with the inputs and no controls. There is not even a dedicated on/off switch; when the amp is plugged into the wall, it is on! Two 47 power triodes in push-pull with limited preamplification puts out around 2-3 watts of power into a 10" field-coil speaker.
This example is literally one of the first couple of hundred (at the most) guitar amplifiers ever sold commercially; it shows some wear but considering its nearly 90 years on earth remains nicely preserved and still sings with a sweet and chiming sound, not an overdrive monster but with a lot of tonal color. It came from the original owner's family, with the grandfather playing his Rickenbacker steel through it in a band called the White Flyer Troupe.
Height is 11 in. (27.9 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) width, and 5 1/2 in. (14 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, considering its over 90 years on Earth this amp is nicely preserved. The rather frail and thin black Keratol covering shows very minor wear, mostly only around edges of the cabinet and the metal corners are overall nice and clean. The gold-colored grille cloth fabric is surprisingly nicely intact with no notable tearing or staining. The handle appears original and is in fantastic shape considering its age and has many years of service left in it still! The chassis is shows moderate wear and generally only a minor amount corrosion on metal components.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original including the 10" Utah field-coil speaker, which has been reconed by our in-house specialists and sounds fantastic. All transformers appear original; the power transformer bears the code 3259. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and biased to spec.
This is a very playable and extremely historic amp. It is still the perfect companion to an early Rickenbacker lap steel and a fine example of one of the earliest and best of the amplification units that started the electric guitar revolution. Overall Excellent - Condition.
