Custom (Rick) case

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:38 am

I can't find the thread where I said I'd post pics, so rightly or wrongly I'm putting them here. I ordered a case for the 330 that I'll be picking up in SF and taking on my upcoming trip:

Recessed latches, carbon fibre material, all that stuff. Size-wise it's not much larger than the standard Rickenbacker case:

The guy does great work - if anybody in Oz is interested I can give you contact details. He will deal direct with the public - wish I knew that beforehand!

The thing is..... it probably won't be a 330 that I'll be lugging around!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:05 am

I don't think that's carbon fiber, Aitch...looks like fiberboard case material to me...

Cost was...?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:16 am

Well....... he tells me it's carbon fibre but I don't know much about this stuff. I saw the material, which is about 5/16" thick corrugated - hard as a rock. A heavy swing with a 9lb hammer didn't do anything to it. He jumped on an empty sample case he had and it compressed less than 1/2".

$600 AUD..........

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:26 am

Wow, really sturdy and great-looking.... But, ouch! A bit pricey....

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:44 am

A good road case could save a fortune, despite the cost. Looks great Aitch.

BTW, I'll get back to you tomorrow. I'm a little bit unreliable at the moment, for which I truly apologise....my full attention is on the pre production of my new album at the mo. It is an all consuming task I'm afraid, I hardly eat or think of anything else when I am this involved (lost 10 lbs though, which I desperately needed to lose!)...apologies to all.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:48 am

Sorry, Aitch, I'm just going on appearances. It probably is sheet carbon fiber if it's that strong! Good price, if that's the case.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:51 am

No problem, Tony. Your attention to your album should be all-consuming!

Yes, Melibee.... not cheap by any means but I think I did pay over the odds a bit. Surprisingly, the manufacturer said so when I told him what I expected for the price. The dealer made a good whack out of it, that's for sure! I'll go direct if there's a next time.......

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:54 am

No worries at all, Paul. I value your opinion and comments highly.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:58 am

Thanks Aitch.

Don't worry about overpaying for the case...it doesn't matter. If it's as good as it looks, it will last a lifetime & well worth the money!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:13 pm

I guess the other good thing about it is the size of the cutout. Given that it's for a 330 I may be able to get foam inserts cut so that other smaller-bodied guitars will fit snugly, making it close to universal.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:36 pm

Ukelele, pedals, French Dip sandwiches...

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:47 pm

These people make an affordable flight case.
http://stores.ebay.com/Angstrom-Cases
...and they will make one for whatever you can give them a template for for $300

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:35 pm

Seems like pretty good value, Ben. That would come in a little less than what I paid taking into account duty, takes, freight, etc.

There are a few other things to consider with cases as well, such as neck thickness, bridge height, headstock angle and heel position/size/shape. Most case manufacturers will know these for Fenders, Gibsons, etc. but perhaps not for Rickenbackers.

In this instance the manufacturer asked me to take the guitar to him so that he could take these measurements himself.

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:23 pm

You'll be transporting precious cargo over a great distance. you'll want the best container for it.

I think you made a great investment, Aitch.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:47 pm

Don't worry Howard, with all the flying you'll be doing soon, the case will pay for itself in just the piece of mind of knowing, no matter what they stack or throw on top of it, the contents will be safe.

With all that travelling, I'd be a nervous wreck using the original case. Each time you collected it you'd be praying they hadn't damaged it or the contents - too stressful. You've done the right thing!