Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This came with my March '73 4001. The handle needs replacing (the replacement is a bit wonky but it works).

I have one as well, though mine is a bit shorter than a bass.

I agree with Mark Sanders. I've had 25 Rick basses, from 1971 to 2006 models. Two or three of mine from the early 90's had a case just like that. Its similar to the silver tolex vintage reissue cases that came a couple years later... except the fur, tolex, and handle are like the stuff used in the late 70's. Great cases though.

FWIW, re: early '80s, this is the case that came with my September '83 4003. I can't guarantee its original, since I've only had it since summer, but it resembles the others, except the interior is black. Form-fitted inserts, double snaps on the accessory cover, the accessory compartment is divided into two sections, and there's quite a long neck rest. Leather pad to guard against wear from the upper strap button, and a notch in the padding to accommodate the lower strap button are nice touches, avoiding the damage I've seen in other makers' cases from the buttons.

farace wrote:FWIW, re: early '80s, this is the case that came with my September '83 4003. I can't guarantee its original, since I've only had it since summer, but it resembles the others, except the interior is black. Form-fitted inserts, double snaps on the accessory cover, the accessory compartment is divided into two sections, and there's quite a long neck rest. Leather pad to guard against wear from the upper strap button, and a notch in the padding to accommodate the lower strap button are nice touches, avoiding the damage I've seen in other makers' cases from the buttons.

That looks exactly like the case my 74 4000 came with....the best one I've seen.

So we're pretty much looking early 90s....

I guess the value of a case of that era is similar to just any modern case? Probably just worth keeping rather than moving on?

I was going to flip it to fund some work, but it's newer than I was told!

That case looks a lot like the case I got from a UK dealer 4 or 5 years ago. The dealer (I can’t remember who) had a batch of new cases made by G&G Quality Case Co. (the company that made cases for Rickenbacker). The NOS case you’re looking at could come from that batch - maybe?.

My case ID prowess sucks! I thought the form fitting interiors were 80's and spanned quite a length of time. Tony Matura is good at id'ing vintage cases.

Sepp

What do you think the price of an early 90s case is?

That's if it's not early 80s.....

They're good cases. Very similar to the silver RI cases, so I'd put their value right around there.

The silver vintage style are quite hard to find - out of stock from where I've looked - they seem to around £219 ($331) new.

So as mine is mint and unused, I'm guessing at a ball park of £175 ($265)? Even the modern black ones new are £200 ($300)!

In an ideal world, I'd keep it - but I need to fund a refret.....