Rickenbacker cases.......

[1965]

I would quite go as far as Ugly as Hell its a case and it holds the Guitar.Its just a case what are you looking for? Everyone's got an opinion but the styling on the modern RIC cases to me are fine they hold the guitar well, look reasonably like a case and are coloured Black with silver flashes here and there.Seem fine to me.Case closed,well mine is anyway.....Actually no its not the only thing that annoys me is the 330 case i have smells wonderful i think its the glue,but the 360 and 620 dont have this thus im not getting that RIC smell when i open the others.Never mind.Case closed now......... Moving on

Well, the OP was talking about how pretty the cases are, not how well they hold a guitar. We already know they can do that. As I said, for protecting guitars, the modern ones are tougher and more durable. As an item of beauty though, the vintage silver cases are way better looking and more sophisticated.

[johnhall]

As an item of beauty though, the vintage silver cases are way better looking and more sophisticated.

That's an opinion, of course. Personally, I think they look . . . old. Must be why they're called "vintage".

[scotty]

I would quite go as far as Ugly as Hell its a case and it holds the Guitar.Its just a case what are you looking for? Everyone's got an opinion but the styling on the modern RIC cases to me are fine they hold the guitar well, look reasonably like a case and are coloured Black with silver flashes here and there.Seem fine to me.Case closed,well mine is anyway.....Actually no its not the only thing that annoys me is the 330 case i have smells wonderful i think its the glue,but the 360 and 620 dont have this thus im not getting that RIC smell when i open the others.Never mind.Case closed now......... Moving on

Well, the OP was talking about how pretty the cases are, not how well they hold a guitar. We already know they can do that. As I said, for protecting guitars, the modern ones are tougher and more durable. As an item of beauty though, the vintage silver cases are way better looking and more sophisticated.

Whilst i comprehend and endorse Robs post about the Beauty of both styles of case i cannot agree that a Modern Case is as ugly as hell due to it being a black rectangular box that holds a instrument. ??? Maybe im not getting it but i wouldn`t say there ugly?

[ozover50]

I reckon they both look great. For me it's what's inside that's the important thing!!

[johnhall]

One of those is a Porsche, the other a Chevrolet.

One has a hot chick inside, the other someone's granny.

You choose.

[jcreasy]

I post on here periodically but try to read as much as I can... Here is my two cents, which some of you will think is weird, and some of you will probably appreciate...

I really like the old style cases because when you open them up, it just kinda warms me up to the whole experience. Sounds stupid. But, I've got a great Shoreline Gold Fender Strato (I know, how dare I utter such words?) in a tweed case with red poodle... The tweed is stained and scuffed and the leather ends are nicked up (as is the guitar), but man, when you open that thing it just exudes cool. Then you sling it out tune up and go have a beer.

I have a Chandler 555 with a creme tolex case that has the same appeal.

However, my main guitar has always been 360 Ricks, and I've got the black tolex (with blue fur) and the SKB. Agree with Mr. Hall that the SKB is more protective (doesn't let the neck slide back and forth), but the tolex is cooler. When I settle a few more lawsuits, I'll be buying the silver re-issues with blue poodle... Just for that coolness factor.

I know... 2 dimensional, superficial and pompous. What can I say? I'm a product of the '80's.

JKC

PS I Want My MTV!

[blueflamerick]

Can I have the Chevy and the hot chick?

[paologregorio]

As an item of beauty though, the vintage silver cases are way better looking and more sophisticated.

That's an opinion, of course. Personally, I think they look . . . old. Must be why they're called "vintage".

Good one JH!!

At least they're a lot more solidly built than some of the original silver cases I've seen; I'd be afraid to put a guitar in some of those.

[jingle_jangle]

Erm, which is which? I remember my Chevies had some hot chicks.

All my Porsches tended to break down pre-chick.

[ajish4]

One of those is a Porsche, the other a Chevrolet.

One has a hot chick inside, the other someone's granny.

You choose.

If I went for the Porsche, I probably couldn't fit in it anyway.

At least, with any luck, the Chevy is paid for and the old Granny can cook!

[stubby]

I have to admit being kind of disappointed when I first saw the case. It seemed drab compared to the visions I had of the lovely guitar making its way to me. I had never seen a Rick case before and I hadn't even thought of it before seeing it. Having seen the guitars, I guess, subconsciously, I expected something not quite so "common looking." I had a good friend of mine in high school though whose name I didn't like when I met him (previous associations I suppose) but after knwoing this great guy for many years, I now think of that name fondly. My case has kind of become like that - it has nothing but positive associations as I know what lies within. And, after all, it's just a box and so far, my guitar is pristine after a couple of years of regular in and out use so the box is doing its job just fine. Verdict: good case.

[rob_u]

I had a 620-12 in one of the modern (SKB) RIC cases, and it did seem more protective than a tolex (vintage) case, my one compliant was that you had to be extremely careful when putting the guitar in the case. The metal valence is a small fraction of an inch away from the body recess, and I nicked the edge of the guitar several times before I realized this. When I traded the 620-12, for a 360-12 (comfort issues), I had the store order a vintage case for it (this was 2003, when the stores could still do this).

[collin]

Yeah, aesthetically I'm all about the vintage silver cases, but they just don't hold the guitar well. The neck support sucks, even on the modern reissues, and it's even worse on the actual old vintage cases.

The SKB would be my choice if I were gigging. I'd rather beat up an SKB going gig-to-gig, as it holds the guitar better, and isn't a big deal if it gets scratched.

The best of both worlds is the old Black tolex 80's cases. They are countoured for the body cutouts-upper/lower bouts, and have much better neck support, and still look cool/vintage.

For the really burly mixture of both, I made my own pro flight case at work- 1/4" silver vinyl wrap ply, ATA extrusion & latches, and Blue poodle from G&G. It's heavy as a guitar case can get, but I swear it could withstand a drop off a building (but no need to try.... ):

[Ric O'Sound]

The best of both worlds is the old Black tolex 80's cases. They are countoured for the body cutouts-upper/lower bouts, and have much better neck support, and still look cool/vintage.

I agree. The '80s cases offer excellent support for the guitar since the padding is tailored to the particular model of guitar. It prevents the instrument from shifting around inside during transit. I wish they would bring these back, but I think the "one size fits all" cases are here to stay, if for no other reason than to keep costs down.

[scoobster28]

I like the vintage cases too for their looks, but even when I bought my CW I considered ordered a standard case just to protect the guitar better. Maybe they could make a vintage case with a fitted interior similar to the SKB ones... then you could have the best of both worlds!