Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought my '72 4001 used (in about 1975), with a new generic case. Not surprisingly, after nearly 35 years the case is getting rather tired and I 'd like to replace it with something tough and protective (gig bags need not apply).

That isn't proving to be easy. I've tried a few cases in various stores, and searched the usual big web sites. None of the cases in the stores fit right, and the only one I've found on line that mentioned Rickenbacker was priced outrageously.

So - what do y'all carry your Rick basses in if you don't have an OHSC?

I have a mint condition RIC silver vintage style case you can buy, PM me.

Not sure what you consider outrageous, but all Rick dealers can sell you an official RIC case, either the newer style SKB molded plastic one or the vintage style...

BTW, I keep all my Ricks in these types of cases, they are great. The coolness factor certainly doesn't hurt, either.

There are tweed cases on eBay going for $65ish that are made to fit a Ric bass. I have no idea how reputable the dealer is but the cases certainly look nice and borrow features from the older cases Rics used to come with. I bid on one once because they never get bid on by anybody, only to get outbid, which made me suspicious of the dealer. But now they are BIN for what was then the opening bid.

I don't know how much those black SKB cases go for right now (I got mine with my basses) but other than the really, really common problem of the feet cracking and pressing in due to a weak outer layer (which is annoying but not much else), I think they are good cases. Well insulated and an interior shaped to fit a Ric bass rather snugly, which I like.

I have one of the older black vintage style Ric cases . IT's blue inside and molded to fit the Ric. I like having the vintage look with the functionality of the molded interior like the SKB cases do. I love the look of the silver cases,but wish they had the molded interior like the older black versions do.

I also have one of the tweed ones from ebay. It's a nice case,but I don't like that its not molded inside and the latches are weak...fuctional and they won't likely fail,but they aren't like the Cheney latches. I'd be happy to sell the tweed case for what I paid 2 months ago if it isn't too far. These Ric sized cases can be heavy. If anyone wants it PM me...I don't want to hijack the thread.

I actually prefer the vintage style over the SKB molded ones. All of the ones I've gotten that had the SKB cases have been transferred to the vintage type and I've sold the SKB ones. Yeah, I know they don't provide the same protection, but in 30 years of carting Ricks around in the old style cases, I've never had a problem. Then again, it's always been me carting them as opposed to roadies, etc...

There have also been issues with damage to the finish with the SKB cases, usually near the jackplate area. All my instruments are in vintage style HS cases, never had a problem with them, either. My '67 4005WB has been back and forth to California a few times in commercial jets with nary a problem.

jps wrote:There have also been issues with damage to the finish with the SKB cases, usually near the jackplate area...

Uh, yeah. My brand new 4003FL AFG arrived with this:

Case closed!

I prefer the vintage style as well. I just love the way my molded blue interior hugs the bass...

CJJ...what is it in the SkB case that causes those marks?

Peacefrog35 wrote:I prefer the vintage style as well. I just love the way my molded blue interior hugs the bass...

CJJ...what is it in the SkB case that causes those marks?

I think it's some kind of rivet or something under the padding. I've seen pictures of this sort of damage on other basses. I think that when RIC packs them from the factory, they are a bit more immune to this since they seem to wrap the body with a layer of thin polyethylene foam. I've seen pictures of basses with this foam in place, and the one I got direct from RIC had it. But all of the ones I've gotten from dealers have had this foam removed for some reason.

Anyway, whatever it is in the case that causes this, it happens on the bottom edge, the most likely place for a bump if the case is set down hard. I've transferred all of mine to vintage style cases and sold the SKB ones. If I were doing a lot of travelling, etc. I'd buy flight cases such as those made by Anvil cases. I had these for equipment "back in the day" when I played in bands, and they are well worth the money...