the last 4003 ric i owned(10-12 years ago)had a very nice case coverd with tolex. i read the new ones come in a "skb" hard shell case. any one have one and how good are they? and is that a decal under the treble pup?

The new Ric cases are the best I've seen for durability. The heavy duty clasps are simple to open and close. There are locks on all 4, too, which is something you don't see too often. Awesome case. The only thing that could be done to improve the case is to add a covered storage compartment inside, like most other cases have.

The few of these cases I've seen had a factory defect inside where rivets actually come in contact with the instruments, in at least one case causing damage to a guitar. I don't know if they've corrected this problem.

The case that came with my 2005 4003FG is great. No problems with rivets.

I do agree though that it would be a nice addition to have the storage area covered

thanks very much for the replies, you've all been very helpfull.

I know I'm gonna get hate mail on this.

When I was in music retail, I would show the keys to the customer and say "Here are your keys" then I would through them in the garbage.

If they want the guitar they are not going to take it out of the case. You will lock it in, lose the keys, and come crying to me to open it.
I will break it open, and you will buy a new case.
Only one person asked for the keys, because he had small children. I could understand that. But the rest of you.

Throw out those keys!

I know many guitarist / bassists that never bother with the case keys and some that even throw them away. That usually comes from the experience of locking a guitar in it's case, then losing the keys or knowing someone else it happened to.
Sometimes you think you have the right key and lock a case with it...then that same key does not unlock that case...that happened to me once.

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Throw that piece of firewood where it belongs and get yourself a Rickenbacker!