Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The 91 FG 330 I just bought came with a black tolex case with white piping and stiching on the ends. It does not say Ric anywhere. The interior is blue and it is not for fitted. Was that the standard case at one time before the current standard plastic form fitted case ?

In short....Yes!

The new style case appeared in '96ish.

I believe that is the correct case. A few of the black cases around that time had Rickenbacker nameplates like the current silver reissue cases but most were plain. My 1990 360/12V64 came in a black Tolex case with nameplate. I believe RIC started using the SKB cases in late 1995. I had a 360 WB from October 1995 that came in one.

My guitar is not held too tight in this older case. seems like it is allowed to move back and forth a bit. Maybe a towel is in order.

That isn't unusual. Rickenbacker did use some form-fitting black Tolex cases in the mid-late 80s. My 370/12 RM came in one. These are sturdy and very protective cases but it is getting difficult to find extras in good condition.

Since you guys brought it up...
Sorry Mr. Hall but I'm not crazy about the current 360/12 case.
I wish the case came with a closeable compartment inside like all my other guitar cases.
I'm always afraid that my tuner and capo are going to move around inside and scratch the guitar.

If you attach some velcro to the tuner & wrap a piece around the capo they will stay put in the case.
Just a thought. I prefer the closed compartment also.

I use an oversize Ziploc bag to hold the stuff; the bag winds up being too big to slide out of the cutout. As an overkill, one can leave enough air in the bag so that it will occupy the entire cutout space. It won't ever move then!

Good advice, Doctor. I do exactly the same.

I keep all my bits and pieces like that in an aluminum flight case that also houses my pedals, microphone and guitar cords. I had a really bad experience with things floating around in my guitar case once.

I also use an aluminium flight case for my straps/leads etc, but have three cases put aside for gigging. Two vintage for my main 6 & 12 string & a SKB type for my 2nd 6 string (unless it's my 350V63). The pockets in the vintage type cases are invaluable. When you open the SKB type (standing up), everything falls out, so the compartments are not much use.

My plastic 360 case is so much better than my wood/tolex 360 case I dont even know where to begin (although that discussion has been done here before). Right off the bat, weight and durability are enough to end the discussion.

At first I missed the closable compartment but then I just shifted those items (strings, picks etc) to the other compartmented carry bag I take anyways. I use the storage recess in the plastic case for the strap and the cord and all is good.

The top part of the case has the lid for the acc. compartment built in to it and should seal it off just fine when the case is closed. At first I was concerned about the apparent lack of a lid, too.

I prefer my silver tolex cases to the new black plastic ones. They look better if nothing else and they smell better too!

Ed Roman has some pretty harsh words about the new cases as I recall..

Yea... on some other thread (a few months ago) Ed Roman's inexplicable hatred for the plastic Ric cases was explored. If I remember, ol' Ed didn't really have a good argument... it was just an emotional rant against changing a design that he had been familiar with for so long.

I agree about the cool look of the Silver tolex case. But for the real-life abuse that a case goes through when giging, the lighter and more rugged plastic case is the way to go.... IMHO.