Is this an original 1973 case?

[jakeox]

This auction (for a Dec 73 4001) shows a case, claimed to be original to the bass:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0186206520

My June 73 came in a case that looks a lot like this one, just different color plush and no Rickenbacker badge on the outside. Is it possible that this case, and my case, are original 1973 cases? This is the only other one I've seen a picture of. I found it to be pretty bad at protecting the bass from sliding all over the place, so I've put my bass in a later 70s case that is form-fitting.

If my case (which looks like this) is actually original, I'm glad nobody bought it for cheap on craigslist. Any case experts out there?

[rikk]

I'm no case expert but it does not look like a RIC case to me. Also it might be the new pickguard on that bass but it also does not look like the 1/2" spacing that a 4001 would have had in '73.

[jps]

That is not a Rick case, I have never seen a real one with rounded corners like that.

[elysrand]

I too have never seen one like that (and I have a good statistical sample size of Rick cases from this era that are genuine!)

[jakeox]

Thanks everyone. I never thought mine was original, but seeing the same case in this auction made me think about it. I guess this was some kind of generic/replacement case from that era. I'm not a huge fan of it, which is why I'm trying to recoup a couple bucks for it on craigslist.

[rickaddict]

Definitely not original. And the Rickenbacker "badge" on the case is actually a bumper sticker.

Looks like around 3 or 4 inches of slide space in there!

Nice pickguard, BTW. I think I'll so that to all of mine.

NOT!!

[johnallg]

Interesting, as the 4001 (1975/6?) bass I just bought came today and was in the same design case, though it has a black interior. Lots of room to slide. A Jazz will not fit in it - too long and body shape is wrong.