Hi gang,
During what years did RIC offer black tolex exterior and orange/red interior cases for basses like this one?
And how about this one with purple interior?
If your bass' original case is identical to the ones mentioned above, what year is yours?
Does it have the "Rickenbacker" logo plate on the outside? (I only know that the vintage silver cases do.)
Orange/Red and Purple interior cases...When were they made?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Brad, you've got eagle eyes. I'm impressed.
Sorry I forgot to mention that the seller had told me he purchased a Fender bass with no case and he coaxed the dealer out of that RIC case.
The original case (according to the seller) of the '72 4001 Fretless that I just scored also has orange interior,but its lack of an accessories compartment makes me suspicious. I sure hope the case is the real deal.
Sorry I forgot to mention that the seller had told me he purchased a Fender bass with no case and he coaxed the dealer out of that RIC case.
The original case (according to the seller) of the '72 4001 Fretless that I just scored also has orange interior,but its lack of an accessories compartment makes me suspicious. I sure hope the case is the real deal.
My 1974 4001JG is (and came) in an original hardshell case EXACTLY like the black tolex/red lining you refer to, Paul. A P-Bass/Tele-Bass can fit in it, but not a J-Bass.
The (original) case for my 1976 4001BG (now white) has a slightly different inside layout and is lined in orange felt. The lid sports 'Rickenbacker' in very large silver print.
As for my 1980 4001BG, it came in an original HSC lined in deep blue felt, ditto for my 4080.
My 1970 21 fret 4001 came in a non-original HSC.
The (original) case for my 1976 4001BG (now white) has a slightly different inside layout and is lined in orange felt. The lid sports 'Rickenbacker' in very large silver print.
As for my 1980 4001BG, it came in an original HSC lined in deep blue felt, ditto for my 4080.
My 1970 21 fret 4001 came in a non-original HSC.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
Well, actually, Paul, the inside of the original HSC my 1976 4001 came in is exactly like the one your fretless 4001 is depicted in, only it has the accessories compartment. If you look closer, you'll see the case your fretless 4001 is in appears to have had an accessories compartment which clearly has been removed, thus I think we can say your fretless 4001 has the original case.
A Rickenbacker bass is much like the Jaguar E car - perennially ultra-fashionable.
My 68 came in the original black/orange case exactly like that one. It has an accessories compartment. The fit...well there is a couple of inches gap at the end of the case, and the bass can move around. It does not have the added curve like your 72 case Paul. The reissue cases are far superior in quality and fit.
Through the years a variety of interior colors of the "whore house plush", as it is called, has been used. It was simply a matter of availability to the case makers, as well as the fact that in the past we've had multiple case makers simultaneously. It's impossible to pin a certain color (or even exact style of case, for that matter) to a particular time period.
The current vintage reissue case, however, has been quite constant in style and trim for something like 13 or 14 years.
The current vintage reissue case, however, has been quite constant in style and trim for something like 13 or 14 years.
Here's another one on ebay with silver tolex.
Does it look like an old RIC 4001 case?
Does it look like an old RIC 4001 case?
