Ric Cases

[aerome]

Recently picked up a RIC case from the bay, the modern plastic style. When it arrived it was for a 600 series so I couldn't use it, the 360V12 wouldn't fit. Put it back in the box to resell and resigned myself to the fact that it would probably be at a loss. Story of my life. A couple of days later I pulled it out of the box and started snapping some pics for posting on CL and the bay and noticed that 3 of the 4 feet were compressed into the case, something that I never bother to check as the rest of the case was nice. I checked the shipping box and this anomaly wasn't due to the UPS gorillas. Got in touch with the seller and he wasn't happy because I opened it 4 days earlier and never reported the damage back to him. He offered a partial refund if I shipped it back but also offered to toss me a few bucks if I wanted to try to fix it myself as I've done some plastic work with aircraft interior pieces. Poked around at the feet when one kinda just fell off. The plastic was very brittle and more thin than I imagined. Brought it over to a bud who makes the plastics for aircraft and he advised against monkeying around with it. Sent it back today, the escapade will cost me $40. Oh well, I'm a big boy and can't cry (too much) over spilled milk.

Although I was initially elated to have guitars with the newer box, my confidence in these plastic cases went right down the tubes after seeing the construction. After seeing the gauge of plastic I really consider these about a step and a half above a gig bag, which I really think should be banned in society. I should mention that I'm accustomed to the older style cases and am on a search to replace the three plastics I have with the more traditional cases. Found one on the bay for the 4003 and am looking for replacements for the 360, 620 and 360V12 (that case is just old and ratty). Sure the older ones are heavier but when you're toting around a high end instrument such as any RIC, shouldn't you want more than a velvet double condom protecting it?

What say the group? Am I nuts or are there others who feel the same way?

Thanks.

[cassius987]

The case series you are referring to is generally very sturdy, it's just these little rounded "feet" that are mounted in hollow plastic that cripple their reputation in some circles. I have to say it is indeed disappointing SKB or whoever did the design couldn't have thought to extend those feet into the styrofoam core which is the actual protective element. The interior, latches, handle, and actual protection are all excellent.

[collin]

The true test of a case is how well it protects the guitar.

I think the G&G "vintage" style case is a higher quality than the SKB type, yet both seem to protect the guitar properly. I've only seen a few incidents, and they've all been with the SKB cases (not including a few incidents where people ding their guitars on the aluminum edge of those cases).

G&G grew from another company that had merged with the Victoria Luggage co. that made vintage Rickenbacker cases in the 1950s-1970s. These cases have stood the test of time externally, yet the guitars flopped around like fish inside, with little regard for the guitar's safety, causing many incidents, particularly when shipping.

Short of a proper flight case, my money would be spent on a vintage reissue G&G case, especially one of the black ones from the late 1980s with form-fitted sides (as the guitar doesn't shift around).

[ken_j]

I have always perferred the vintage style case over the molded ones. Probably because I am old school. I have a reissue silver (bass) case that I bought a few years ago. This seems to weigh a fraction of what a former '70s era black case did. I don't think that the wood is as thick but properly designed it may be as strong or stronger. I hope I never have to test it. I have had non-SKB molded cases that have worked fine and never had any issues, but I don't move my equipment like many here. I think the molded cases get their strength from the lamination of the plastic onto the Styrofoam.

[ricaddic]

I have been a fan and belever in the vintage case and not at all a fan of the current SKB case that is being used they to me are very flimsy and any slight weight on the case sinks it in resting the wieght on the instrument inside, and yes they are notorious for the feet pressing in and breaking off, SKB does make better cases, im probibly gonna get yelled at but I dont care, the SKB cases Fender has been useing since 2008 are much more solidier and more protective to the instrument stored in the, would love to see Ric use a simuler or same case..

[rickenbrother]

The only advantage I see in the the molded cases over the older type cases is the weight difference. Makes it easier on the wife to be a roadie.
I wish SKB would make improvements to the RIC case, especially at the feet or see RIC find another lightweight molded case maker than will make them sturdier. SKB also seems to skimp with the padding between the body cavity and the bottom of the bass cases. The RIC cases made by SKB look nicer than the ones that they make for other companies like Musicman. But my StingRay5 case can take rough handling that the cases they make for RIC can't.

[cjj]

I suspect it's all about the price. If you pay SKB more money, they will make you a better case. I'm sure RIC has contracted to buy a case that they feel provides good protection at a reasonable price point. A more expensive case would push the cost of the instruments up.

And of course, no matter what, they will never be able to please everyone so they might as well try to minimize the cost and let those who want something different buy it themselves.

I myself, like the vintage style cases best. The look, the feel, the heft, it's just what I expect to have for a case. But I'll tell ya, if I were a working musician, carrying my instruments all over the place day after day, I'd invest in a good ATA Flight case, cause there's not much that'll take the abuse one of those will.

[ricaddic]

The only advantage I see in the the molded cases over the older type cases is the weight difference. Makes it easier on the wife to be a roadie.
I wish SKB would make improvements to the RIC case, especially at the feet or see RIC find another lightweight molded case maker than will make them sturdier. SKB also seems to skimp with the padding between the body cavity and the bottom of the bass cases. The RIC cases made by SKB look nicer than the ones that they make for other companies like Musicman. But my StingRay5 case can take rough handling that the cases they make for RIC can't.

I hear ya Joey, the music man case and the current Fender case are pretty much the same case, the Fender case has the TSA locks on them but are sturdy and solid and look just like the same SKB case, as far as looks, I like the look of the music man and Fender case better too.

[nukebass]

I'm not a big fan of the SKB, but that's what most of mine have since that is what they came with. I've never had a problem with the feet, but I don't like the latch/metal rim layout and how much the instruments move. I store mine standing up and the 650 doesn't fit in the case at all. I've got an old t-shirt in the case to try to protect it from the damage induced by moving (whether contacting the metal edging or the nylon case strap rubbing into it), but it seems like somebody got the dimensions off a little as much as the guitar moves.

[cassius987]

if I were a working musician, carrying my instruments all over the place day after day, I'd invest in a good ATA Flight case, cause there's not much that'll take the abuse one of those will.

Funny thing, I finally ordered a Levy's EM-8 gig bag last year after getting to schlep one with my Dingwall Combustion (that I returned for tonal reasons), and I love it so much. My basses go in their cases for shows or extensive travel but the gig bag is perfect for any basic schlepping. Sling it on your shoulder and go. I am prepared for any risks this involves. I'm not going to ship the thing in a gig bag or something that crazy, although Dingwall does it for all of their stuff I hear (even multi-thousand dollar sooper coffee table basses).

[artisan4]

I love the G&G cases, I've had two SKB cases with problems and no problems with the G&Gs. The latch fell of one SKB case for my Telecaster and the feet fell off the SKB case for my Rick bass.

[aerome]

Great answers and opinions. I'm going to order some G & G's tomorrow. Thanks all!

[Rickissippi]

This is one of many on-going debates among Rick-heads - modern, plastic, SKB case or vintage, silver, G&G case.

Personally, I love the look of the vintage, silver case; however, my 2009 Rick came in a modern case, and I wasn't about to shell out a couple hundred bucks for a case just for looks when my guitar already had a perfectly good case. The G&G ones are not form-fitting in my experience (don't know the cases Collin mentioned), and just have big, rectanglular, one-size-fits-all cavity for any guitar, while the SKBs have form-fitted sides that hold the axe quite securely (and great hinges, too). Also, John Hall weighed in on this once over at the corporate forum and he said that all his personal Ricks are stored in, and travel in, the modern, plastic cases. He also noted that whenever the original "frying pan" lap steel travels for shows or whatever, it goes in an SKB, modern, plastic case. That was enough for me.

FWIW, my Rick-in-case fell out of a car recently as we were packing up after a gig, and the guitar was fine - it didn't even get knocked out of tune.

[kiramdear]

My favorite case is the one that came with my '82 320. Black tolex with tight (and I mean shoehorn) form fitting interior padding. Seem to be the best of both worlds: tough and no movement.

[Clint]

My favorite case is the one that came with my '82 320. Black tolex with tight (and I mean shoehorn) form fitting interior padding. Seem to be the best of both worlds: tough and no movement.

My '87 620 has a case like that. I wish today's silver tolex cases were form fitting like the old black ones.

About the SKB cases, we have to remember, their design philosophy is different from the vintage style luggage cases. Modern cases are designed to absorb that one crushing blow, then be discarded; much like a bike helmet. Like others have said, if you're looking for real protection, get a flight case. The funny thing is, the flight case would cost more than I paid for the guitar.