How fragile are old rics?

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

Oh, and just one more thing...don't use a gig bag.

[rickenbrother]

Interesting aside - There's a vintage guitar shop in NYC called Chelsea guitars. They have in storage TONS of HSC's. Why? Because with living space at such a premium in New York, many of their customers come in with a gig bag, and walk out with a guitar, leaving the case behind.

I don't know how it is elsewhere, but the growing trend in SoCal with many guitarist and bassists is to show up to rehearsal or a gig just carrying their guitars without a gig bag or case. Usually they just walk in/out with their guitars on their straps like they are playing them, regardless of the value of the guitar. The guitar rides in the back seat or trunk of their car unprotected. I'm amazed every time I see this, which is quite often. I guess this is supposed to look cool. I must look very uncool keeping my basses in their cases.

[johnallg]

I must look very uncool keeping my basses in their cases.

Yeah, but a lot smarter!

[badeggs]

Usually they just walk in/out with their guitars on their straps like they are playing them, regardless of the value of the guitar...I guess this is supposed to look cool.

Yeah, real cool until they're axe gets smashed by something.

Cases are mandatory.

[jdogric12]

I don't know about a 72 4001, but I used a good gig bag for my 85 4003 for gigs and never had any problems.

[sloop_john_b]

I don't know about a 72 4001, but I used a good gig bag for my 85 4003 for gigs and never had any problems.

For a long time, I also used a gigbag with all my basses, including my 4005. J, you were there when I bought it (Sam Ash on 48th), that thing is heavy duty to the max. Lately i've been a little more paranoid about damage and have been using the HSC's, though.

[edski]

A good instrument is meant to be played, and the vibrations from playing it keep the wood resonant. Thus, you should play your guitars/basses regularly...

As for case vs gig bag...I prefer cases, but a good bag and care do well. But the main ingredient there is "care"...

[marc61]

Interesting aside - There's a vintage guitar shop in NYC called Chelsea guitars. They have in storage TONS of HSC's. Why? Because with living space at such a premium in New York, many of their customers come in with a gig bag, and walk out with a guitar, leaving the case behind.

I don't know how it is elsewhere, but the growing trend in SoCal with many guitarist and bassists is to show up to rehearsal or a gig just carrying their guitars without a gig bag or case. Usually they just walk in/out with their guitars on their straps like they are playing them, regardless of the value of the guitar. The guitar rides in the back seat or trunk of their car unprotected. I'm amazed every time I see this, which is quite often. I guess this is supposed to look cool. I must look very uncool keeping my basses in their cases.

Jaco was known for dragging his bass around without a case.

[elysrand]

Jaco was known for dragging his bass around without a case.

Yeah, but NONE of us are Jaco, nor are we anywhere near him, Zarc Frankly, I vouchsafe he didn't use Ricks much, and if he did, he was Simply Stupid for carrying them around outside of a HSC of some kind!

[beatlefreak]

Would you feel comfortable using a gigbag with your vintage ric?

I wouldn't feel comfortable using a gig bag for any guitar.

[paologregorio]

Interesting aside - There's a vintage guitar shop in NYC called Chelsea guitars. They have in storage TONS of HSC's. Why? Because with living space at such a premium in New York, many of their customers come in with a gig bag, and walk out with a guitar, leaving the case behind.

I don't know how it is elsewhere, but the growing trend in SoCal with many guitarist and bassists is to show up to rehearsal or a gig just carrying their guitars without a gig bag or case. Usually they just walk in/out with their guitars on their straps like they are playing them, regardless of the value of the guitar. The guitar rides in the back seat or trunk of their car unprotected. I'm amazed every time I see this, which is quite often. I guess this is supposed to look cool. I must look very uncool keeping my basses in their cases.

Yeah, but those guys are morons and your basses are freakin' gorgeous(and pristine, at least those I've seen in person)! I have yet to encounter this phenomenon at gigs. Where are you gigging and rehearsing at? We're in the same neck of the woods. I want to see this and test the local water supply for lead!

If that's the new musician chic/cool, then I'm the biggest dork in So. Cal, since I'm the opposite extreme; hardshell case, and two covers for my AC 30-one that's really snug fit, and another padded Vox cover over that. Even my pedals have a case-an industrial strength pedal board with a lid.

An aside, but back to the point; I do own a gig bag, but I've only used it once, when I brought three guitars to rehearsal that was right after work. I always bring my guitars to my cube at work, and I wanted to be able to carry them in one trip. I actually bought the gig bag for my bass(Geddy Lee J-bass), but I don't gig with it, so mostly the bag sits in my closet. It's pretty nice for a gig bag, but it just seems weird to use one, for the most part. The shoulder strap idea is cool, but as padded as it is I feel weird about using one.

[morrow]

I use gig bags all the time but they are well padded high end bags .

[rickenmetal]

I used to carry my 330 on my back in a gigbag, and not a very expensive one, all across town using public transportation. Absolutely no problems at all.

Although I might be worried about doing the same if it was in a car's trunk, things can get bumped around there.

[rickenbrother]

If that's the new musician chic/cool, then I'm the biggest dork in So. Cal, since I'm the opposite extreme; hardshell case, and two covers for my AC 30-one that's really snug fit, and another padded Vox cover over that. Even my pedals have a case-an industrial strength pedal board with a lid.

Well then we are tied for being the biggest dorks in So Cal. Right now my band is not doing much other than auditioning new lead vocalists. We had to finally give our singer the boot a few weeks ago. With the holidays so close there haven't been many auditions, but most of the ones we've had have been horrible. The last one was hysterically funny. I felt like I was Simon on American Idol. It's amazing, some of the people who THINK they can can sing!!!

[s4001]

Joey can vouch for what happened to my CS having it in a gigbag.