Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So, my '75 4001 came with a ****** non original case. Now I'm thinking about buying an original Rick case, but are they worth it? Or should I just buy a no-brand case that fits my bass?
What's the best way to get one (I'm in The Netherlands)?.
Thanks!

RIC cases are excellent, the silver vintage if you are fuzzy about, on the other hand the new soft line cases are more endurable. The problem of no name cases is with fitting, e.g. the MusicMan cases could only fit if you change the position of the cut away support in the case. But they are of same quality. I guess the RIC cases are also from the same manufacturer?

Musicians friend online has the vintage style Ric cases, see if they'll ship overseas. Worth a look anyway.

You could always get an SKB for about $100. Mine fit's perfectly and I am told the Original Rick cases leave something to be desired, and are very expensive.

Would that be the SKB-44 case? Or wouldn't a 4001 fit in there?

I have two SKB-44 cases, one new style with the bumpers, one is the old style without the bumpers. My Rick bases do not fit in either one. That case is good for P bass, J basses, a few Ibanez models and a few others. I see that recently, SKB has a new handle and new TSA approved latches on those cases.

My 4001S is in a Kaces light weight case. It was only about $50, and it's fine. My only complaint about the Kaces lightweight case is that the handle is not in a good spot to balance the case when a bass in it.

My 75 4001, which I bought in '81, has the tolex covered case. Nothing left to be desired for that case. Bass fits perfectly in it.

My 2004 Laredo came with the newer SKB type case (not sure if it's really an SKB, but it sure looks at lot like the SKB case I bought for my J bass...). Again, nothing left to be desired. Bass fits perfectly in it...

The SKB-44 I think is what I have for my J. My Laredo definitely does NOT fit into it. The SKB web site specifically says "made to fit most P/J style basses". The 4001 is NOT a P/J style. I suppose if you mess with the padding you could make it work, but personally I think you are better off getting the real thing.

Looking at the MF site, the "vintage" case seems to be the one that would leave me a bit flat. It doesn't look like it has the padded inserts. The case I have for my Fender Mustang guitar is like that, and personally I'd rather have the interior be form-fitted. For $200 it seems a little steep.

The RIC web site price for the molded case is $249. Again seems steep, but the vintage case is $279, so you *should* be able to find it for about $170. The extra $70 seems worth it to have a case that fits the guitar without futzing wound with it. Just seems tough to find someone advertising that they have one for sale...

Unless Bassbob can explain how his 4001 fits into a regular SKB case...

***

I realize you are in Europe, but ther might be a way to get someone to help you ship this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RICKENBACKER-40 ... dZViewItem

My 1975 4001 is in a Fender branded tweed case.

That is because it's not an SKB, I bought an SKB for my Epiphone acoustic, The one my Ric is in says nothing on the case at all, so I don't know what kind it is actually. Sorry for the confusion, all my other guitars are in their original cases, and I've only ever bought two. I do know it's a quality hardshell case, and my 4001 fit's perfectly in it, and it cost around $100. So you can buy a good case for your Ric, reasonably priced. I really can't say anything about the Ric cases, I've never had one. I do know I can't afford one.

As far as the best way to buy one in Holland, I have been told there is a great guitar shop on Waterloopin Strase in Amsterdam. There is also The Dirk Witte shop in Amsterdam, which supposedly has assorted Ricks in stock. I would bring yours along and make sure it fits before you buy it.

Ed, the molded RIC cases are made by SKB.