McCormack: I am wondering if it would be possible to get a timeline on Rickenbacker guitar cases? I would like to write a short piece on the cases used by RIC over the years, in terms of the type of covering, construction and plush interior.
Hall: This is an utterly impossible project as there were simply too many variations even on a week to week variations. It all depended on the
case maker's supply of materials.
McCormack: Are you able to comment on the types of cases in general terms, the manufacturers and the types of linings that were used over the years?
Hall: This might be slightly easier.
Grey cases - I believe these began to switch to silver about 1962 although this would have been a very long switchover due to the wide variety of case types in inventory.
Don't forget that Electro guitars had brown cases.
Silver cases - (red lining, blue lining, blue luminescent lining)
These continued probably into the early 70's with the same changeover problems as mentioned above. But then, of course, they were brought back
again in 1984 for the vintage series. Linings varied with the textile markets and supplier- not only the color but the textile pattern as well.
Black tolex - These continued until the mid 90's when we began to try several different type of molded cases.
Here's info you probably don't have- the case makers themselves:
1. Victoria Luggage- The original silver and black case supplier. Out of business. Strange story. Owner, Sid Handler, was son of Mattel Toy
founder, Ruth Handler. When she was bumped due to SEC violations in 1974, family empire collapsed.
2. DeCuir Sample Case- Alternate supplier of black cases. Out of business more or less due to death of owner.
3. Geib Case- Alternate supplier of black and molded cases, major supplier to Gibson since the 1930's. Chicago based until 1980s, they moved to California. Out of business due to death of owner, Nick Geib. World respected yachtsman, endorser of Bacardi Rum due to many wins of
the Miami-Havana race.
4. G & G Case- Alternate supplier of black and silver cases in past, continues to be supplier of silver cases. Founded by Ben Germain, factory manager of Victoria Luggage when they closed.
5. SKB- Molder cases only. Saunders, Kottman, and Brown. Brown was owner of very large music store, funded Saunders and Kottman in their small
enterprise. Brown bought out and SKB becomes very large case supplier to gun, golf, sporting, and scientific community, remaining in music
products as well.
Hope this helps a little. Cheers, John Hall
Thanks John, this helps immensely. Here is a photo of my 1966 Silver Rickenbacker Case.
