Risson Eta Amp Clip

kevlar3000

kevlar3000

Bullet Proof Toneologist
RISSON ETA CLIP
lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4953501&q=lo


USE THIS hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4953501&q=hi

I have been tinkering a bit with this one, converted it to EL34s from 6550, had a set of Siemens just work really well with it. When I got the amp, it was very hard dynamically and had a lot up upper mid gain. It was built to be a hard rock/metal machine in the late 70s LA heyday, so aggressive and tight is how it is built. I have been trying to relax it a bit. Clipped a cap of the volume, upped the value of two signal caps. A .01 to a .022 and a .022 to a point .033. I also upped the OUTPUT coupling caps to .1 from .047. I was amazed, as it is still not a bottom heavy amp. But it sits more naturally now. I am awaiting lower value filter caps to arrive, likely not til Mon. That will really round out the edges and give me more to dig into dynamically. I am digging it quite a bit, still want to fatten it a bit more but it is close.....
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

Cool. My first tube amp was that amp. Risson was built out here, and when I was 14, I stumbled upon one for $260 at a pawn shop. They were really one of the first boutique Marshall companies in the US.

It's cool that you know how to tailor the sound with caps. I was a kid, so I just used it with whatever 2 6550's it came with. I remember liking it because it had more gain than most Marshalls coming out back then....800's.
I sold mine in 1987 to raise money for a brand new Jubilee 2555, which I sold in 92.....stupidly. Rissons are going for today's money, so how much did you find that one for?
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

Wattage said:
Kev that things sounds fantastic!
Click to expand...

Agreed...I think I'd prefer it a bit tighter for my tastes, but its not too too sloppy. Another great score along with the Ibby! :bigthumb:

That top end may sound a bit harsh all by itself...but I'd get it in the band mix and see what you think. That fizz will "disappear" and you'll cut right through.
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

Gearjoneser said:
Cool. My first tube amp was that amp. Risson was built out here, and when I was 14, I stumbled upon one for $260 at a pawn shop. They were really one of the first boutique Marshall companies in the US.

It's cool that you know how to tailor the sound with caps. I was a kid, so I just used it with whatever 2 6550's it came with. I remember liking it because it had more gain than most Marshalls coming out back then....800's.
I sold mine in 1987 to raise money for a brand new Jubilee 2555, which I sold in 92.....stupidly. Rissons are going for today's money, so how much did you find that one for?
Click to expand...


That is a hell of a first amp. Values have not taken off at all on these, no one knows them and they were already an obscure amp in the LA scene. You can find them used for 400-600, I traded one of my Traynors for it, I had 5 so I figured getting something like this was worth it. I love the obscure brands, LOVE THEM!! This is such a tiny piece of rock history, that I really wanted to add one to use. Bob Rissi, has a stockpile of 18 watt heads that he built in the 70s and is now selling on ebay. I think they run 900 or so, so it is not too crazy, if getting new is a want.

I think stock it is pretty stiff, but very much in a Motley Crue kinda way. It does those old hard rock sounds, but lacks a sweet touch. I like like stuff looser, a little squishier so I am tinkering away. When you open it up, it is very much built like a shop amp. Everything had gone to PCB builds for the most part, but my head, was built with his own hands. It has a variety of vintage caps, the wiring is not pretty and shiny, it is greazy if you will. I like it, in the same way it would be really cool to have a Boogie from the garage built era. It was a dude hot rodding amps and a few LA legends messed with em.

I don't have too much stress tinkering anymore, I am no pro, as I lack the official technical skills to label what I do, but I kinda know what does what, more gain, less gain, harder, squishier ect.... It all started with messing with volume caps and presence caps, in most cases that is all it takes.... I could not afford to have the amps I do, if I had to pay for all the service... Seems like it is always 2 weeks and 200.00////
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

JeffB said:
Agreed...I think I'd prefer it a bit tighter for my tastes, but its not too too sloppy. Another great score along with the Ibby! :bigthumb:

That top end may sound a bit harsh all by itself...but I'd get it in the band mix and see what you think. That fizz will "disappear" and you'll cut right through.
Click to expand...


Many thanks Mr B.

It is close, nothing too dramatic, just want to smooth the extremes a tad.
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

I've looked at all the current info on Bob Rissi, and he's just building stuff to order, using his stockpile of old Risson parts.

The first time I'd seen them were when I was a young teenager going to LA clubs, seeing bands like Armored Saint, Heretic, Leatherwolf. hahaha

They all liked the new Risson company, because they were handing out cost deal endorsements to local metal bands. Everyone wanted a souped up Marshall back then, so Risson got popular quick. I'll never understand why they didn't catch on, and grow into a company like Metaltronix or Bogner.

I've always liked owning a souped up EL-34 amp and a handful of non mastervolume vintage sounding amps, including 6L6's and EL-84's. It covers the whole spectrum. My style is like David Grissom or Audley Freed, so I have to have bluesy stuff as well as high gain rock lead amps.
When I was in my teens, it was Peavey or Carvin combos and Risson. Then, it was Twin and Marshall Jubilee. Then, Blues Pearl fender-clone amps and modded Marshall Superbass. And now, Gibson Goldtone, Matchless Chieftain, and Bogner Ecstasy. The only thing I wish I had now is a good blackface Fender.
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

Damn it is nice, it has the sound for sure, and as you say it just needs those small twists for a personal touch!
Have not seen those in ages, remember some ads and few US setups with those amps:)
 
Re: Risson Eta Amp Clip

Rid said:
Damn it is nice, it has the sound for sure, and as you say it just needs those small twists for a personal touch!
Have not seen those in ages, remember some ads and few US setups with those amps:)
Click to expand...


The ads for these amps are the best, I am glad he still has his website filled with all that stuff. Nostalgia central!!
 
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