Trivial vintage hardcase question

[steversaurus]

Were vintage 60s-70s Fender and Rick hardcases made by the same company? Are the shape/dimensions the same? ie: would a 70s 4001 case with orange lining be the same as the one of the late 64-66 no logo Fender cases?

[johnhall]

Yes, Victoria Luggage was our common supplier in the earlier part of that time period and later, DeCuir Sample Case also came on the scene with cases of that type.

All of the cases were completely custom, that is, they were ordered by each company specifically to fit their own product. I will have to defer to someone else to tell you if one of our cases would fit a Fender or the other way 'round.

[libratune]

Are the shape/dimensions the same? ie: would a 70s 4001 case with orange lining be the same as the one of the late 64-66 no logo Fender cases?

A question of this import should not go unanswered. I acquired a 72 4001 that came in an orange-lined black tolex case. It was a bit loose in the case, but the seller assured me it was original. I didn't believe him.

My 65 Jazz Bass + case and Feb 73 4001 + case volunteered to be specimens. These cases are believed to be original to the basses.

Both cases: black tolex, no logo, same latches, hinges and other exterior hardware.

Bottom line -- the no logo black Fender case is approx. 1/2" longer (exterior and interior) and 1/2" wider (again, both) than the early 70s 4001 case. The 73 4001 will fit in the Fender orange-lined case with a bit of wiggle room, but the 65 Jazz Bass will not fit in the blue-lined 4001 case.

Cases

Fender in Fender case

Fender in Rick case

Rick in Fender case

Fender in Rick case

[Lefty4003S8]

Stupid question-----Isn't the Jazz Bass longer than the 4001????
IF that is true....then it wouldn't fit in the Rick case...right??

[libratune]

Stupid question-----Isn't the Jazz Bass longer than the 4001????
IF that is true....then it wouldn't fit in the Rick case...right??

The question was whether a 60s Fender bass case was the same size as a 70s Rick case.

The answer is no, the Fender case is larger. And yes, the Jazz Bass is longer. That is why it won't fit in a 70s Rick case.

[steversaurus]

Thanks that is exactly the answer I was looking for. Incidentally, the case that came with my 72 4001 will fit a geddy lee jazz bass (which I don't know if it is shorter than the real 60s/70s). Which now makes me wonder if what I have in fact is actually a no logo Fender case.

[ilan]

A Geddy J is the exact same size as any Fender J or clone.

My '73 4001 feels very good inside a 70's Fender "amp logo" hardshell case, black Tolex w/orange lining. Some of you may feel a little uncomfortable about a Ric inside a Fender case, but they are a good match.

[libratune]

Thanks that is exactly the answer I was looking for. Incidentally, the case that came with my 72 4001 will fit a geddy lee jazz bass (which I don't know if it is shorter than the real 60s/70s). Which now makes me wonder if what I have in fact is actually a no logo Fender case.

Did the case that came with your 72 4001 have orange or blue lining? If it's orange, then no wonder the JBass will fit, as that is a Fender case. If the lining is blue and the JBass fits -- I give up!

[ben_brown]

I've been down this road before. My experience was that a 4001 is a bit snugger in a Fender reissue brown case than the typical black tolex Fender case....which in fact still does have the orange lining.

[chefothefuture]

If I'm not mistaken, there are two different cases for the
J-Bass and the P-Bass.
The J case is longer.
A 4001 will fit in a P Bass case.
Things are a little crazy in the vintage cases as there are
Fender P Bass cases from the early 70s with Blue lining.
I have also had Rick cases from the early 70s and late 60s
with Orange lining.(also Pink!)
These anomalies could be the result of a music store switching
cases. But since Fender cases generally had a logo where Ricks
did not, I'd bet that an early 70s Rick in a Victoria case with orange
lining ( no logo) would be original.

Back in the late 70s when instruments were sold "a-la-carte" on
48th st in NY, I bought many a new Rick w/out case as I could get
a used Fender case for a third of the price of a Rick one...

[FretlessOnly]

If I'm not mistaken, there are two different cases for the
J-Bass and the P-Bass...

That's not my understanding, at least where the 70s cases are concerned. Fender used the same case for both the jazz bass and the P-bass. If you had a J-bass, it fit in there snugly; if a P-bass, there's about 3/4" of wiggle room.

Not too long ago I was considering getting a used 70s case for my '76 FL P-bass. Every vintage case I looked at was advertised as being for a J-bass/P-bass. Nowadays, there are separate cases made for each.

[chefothefuture]

If I'm not mistaken, there are two different cases for the
J-Bass and the P-Bass...

That's not my understanding, at least where the 70s cases are concerned. Fender used the same case for both the jazz bass and the P-bass. If you had a J-bass, it fit in there snugly; if a P-bass, there's about 3/4" of wiggle room.

Not too long ago I was considering getting a used 70s case for my '76 FL P-bass. Every vintage case I looked at was advertised as being for a J-bass/P-bass. Nowadays, there are separate cases made for each.

I wouldn't doubt that given the sometimes odd fit the vintage cases would have.
Today there seems to be greater care given in sizing and fit.