Help puting a manufacture date on a case

outlaw · Post by **outlaw** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:52 am

I searched through the forums didn't find much. Seem as far as colors it was whatever was available.

just wondering if there's any way (construction wise) to date this case... it has the Rickenbacker name on the outside.

http://www.indysworld.com/4001CASE.JPG

thanks,
Mick

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:03 am

RIC used cases like that from around 1977 to around 1988 or so. All of my earlier ones('till around the early '80's) have a blue fur lining inside, the later ones(mid to late 80's have black fur).

Starting in the late 80's RIC bass cases lost the form fitted body surround.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:34 am

My 1978 has blue fur, my 1979 had red/orange fur.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:35 am

Red/Orange fur? Did it have the form fitting foam surround all the way around the body? If not it might not be a RIC case.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:55 am

My '73 has a form fitted red interior and has Rickenbacker screened on the case.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:54 am

Cool. Does the form fit part go all the way around the body or is it just a couple quarter circles, by the back?

It seems that in the early to mid-70's RIC cases were kind of random. A lot of them seem to be in Fender cases. Maybe the original cases just got used and abused and replaced.

I like the cases with the full form-fit surround like the one in the link above. The bass doesn't move around inside, the handle is durable and comfortable and the cases are very strong. Kinda heavy, but strong.

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:11 am

Both of my older Ric cases are the old style wood cases, not the molded around the body. I'm pretty sure they are the original cases because the people that I got them from we either the original owners or knew them. I wonder if the fur color was inconsistent.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:43 am

I think JH has said in the past that there wasn't much consistency in the cases in the early days, whatever they could get color-wise, they would use. If I am wrong (which I might be, remembering it wrong or misquoting), I hope to be corrected.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:30 am

Jeff, The form fit part goes all the way around the body, in the '73 case. The inserts feel different, a bit harder.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:39 am

Steve,

I also recall a comment by JH that was significantly similar in content to your recollection.

My 1961 or was it a 1962 silver case? I can't remember now, anyway it had a red/orange lining. My 1964 was also red/orange. I have some in my possession now that are blue and at least one that has a black interior.

outlaw · Post by **outlaw** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:08 pm

the case showed up today... the lining looked like it was black to me in the photo, but it's blue.

the Rickenbacker name plate is plastic, about 8" long. Black and Silver.