Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are any of the new vintage style Ric cases a good fit for a vintage Capri?

A new vintage reissue 330/360 size case will fit a vintage Capri in all respects except body thickness. This can be adjusted by trying to "squash down" (technical term) or otherwise reduce the thickness of the padding in the case lid and case bottom. I haven't tried this, but in theory it should work as exterior thickness dimension of an original Capri case is the same as that of the new silver vintage reissue case.

If you don't have an original gray with red interior case for your vintage Capri, the next best thing is a '60s 330/360 case where the plush lining has diminished with age. Also suitable are later model 330/360 cases from the '70s through '90s where plush has receded, except for form-fit cases. The Capri "waist" is not the same as that of the 1961 and later 330/360 models, so form-fit will not be a good fit for the Capri. Same with 381 silver vintage reissue cases -- although they allow for the Capri body thickness, they are form-fit and 381 body contour is different than Capri.

The black/silver thermoplastic cases for 330/360 won't work for a Capri either, due to form-fit.

Thanks for the great info, Ron. Btw, I have a vintage style case, but not a Capri.

What about a 381 case? Or is that too deep of a case? I know they fit a 331 Lightshow.

paologregorio wrote:What about a 381 case? Or is that too deep of a case? I know they fit a 331 Lightshow.

He said that the 381 cases are form fit. Is that all of them?

egosheep wrote:

paologregorio wrote:What about a 381 case? Or is that too deep of a case? I know they fit a 331 Lightshow.

He said that the 381 cases are form fit. Is that all of them?

All the 381-V69 cases are form-fit. I've tried to wedge a Capri in there and it can be done, but you have to use a crowbar to pry it out!

I think one could probably remove the body-form fit "doughnut" without too much trouble, if you want. Otherwise, one prolly has to get a custom made case.

The case that came with my old early-'70's 381 was not form-fit--in fact, the guitar used to slosh around in there pretty badly.

jfine wrote:The case that came with my old early-'70's 381 was not form-fit--in fact, the guitar used to slosh around in there pretty badly.

Yes, the form-fit 381 cases are the reissue cases that come with the V69 reissue guitars; the cases for the original 381 model (late '60s, early '70s) were not form-fit, but regular Rick cases.

As for an alternative case in which to house a Capri -- good luck finding an "old" 381 case that doesn't already have a 381 in it!

Here's my 381 FG 69 in its original case; the outside case dimensions are the same as those for a 330/360 case, but there is minimal "padding" inside, just red felt lining to make room for the thicker body:

Not to change the subject too much, but, Ron, your 381 is gorgeous! Is it a reissue or an actual '69? The case for my '70's Jetglo was identical except that mine had blue lining.

jfine wrote:Not to change the subject too much, but, Ron, your 381 is gorgeous! Is it a reissue or an actual '69? The case for my '70's Jetglo was identical except that mine had blue lining.

That's an actual '69.

I've been looking for a case as well. Anybody know what type of case this one is and if it'll fit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1990s-Guitar-Case-R ... 576wt_1141

There's also this one, but I'm wondering how I would remove the plush lining

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-spec-3 ... 579wt_1141

DavidW wrote:I've been looking for a case as well. Anybody know what type of case this one is and if it'll fit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1990s-Guitar-Case-R ... 576wt_1141

There's also this one, but I'm wondering how I would remove the plush lining

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-spec-3 ... 579wt_1141

The first one won't work, only 12" wide. Capri body is 15" wide.

2nd one is same dimensions as RIC vintage silver reissue, except red plush inside, so that would work except for thickness. Top pad is 1" thick. Flatten top pad down with a paint roller x 100 rolls (YMMV) and the Capri should fit, thickness-wise. The pad could probably also be cut out, but think rolling it down would be the better fix.

I think G&G will make you a RIC case, they just won't make it with blue plush, and obviously no name on it. So if you had them make you a 381 case with no form fitting pads, with red plush interior, and a grey tolex exterior, you would be doing pretty good.