What is correct case for a 78 sting ray?
- Thread starter dongotto
- Start date
OldManMusic
Well-known member
That's what my '78 ray came in when I bought in back in '78 new from the store.
sanderhermans
Well-known member
My 77 stingray guitar came in a black tolex, fender style, no brand, red interior.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
My new Jan 79 came with: black tolex, fender style, no brand, red interior.
Bert
Well-known member
Same here, but blue interior.
In that era they primarily used Victoria Luggage for the tolex cases, and occasionally a company named Decuir. Lining colors were not specified, so they got what they got, blue, black, orange, red, yellow/gold, etc.
The only way I can identify Victoria Luggage and Decuir cases from early G&G (they spun off Victoria Luggage in the very early 80's) is by some of the hardware. The center latch will be shield shaped and the handles will be leather covered metal. They also have a shield shaped pull tab on the accessories compartment, but earliest G&G's have that as well. G&G usually used a plastic molded handle, but in later years they used a leather covered handle as well as an option. Though they are not exactly like the VL and Decuir (they are actually nicer).
Also important to note is they had the cases tailor made. The cases have a matching lined insert made to fit the shape of the lower area of the bass. However, this insert sometimes falls out or is removed. Aftermarket and most otther brands using the same manufacturer cases never have the insert.
The only way I can identify Victoria Luggage and Decuir cases from early G&G (they spun off Victoria Luggage in the very early 80's) is by some of the hardware. The center latch will be shield shaped and the handles will be leather covered metal. They also have a shield shaped pull tab on the accessories compartment, but earliest G&G's have that as well. G&G usually used a plastic molded handle, but in later years they used a leather covered handle as well as an option. Though they are not exactly like the VL and Decuir (they are actually nicer).
Also important to note is they had the cases tailor made. The cases have a matching lined insert made to fit the shape of the lower area of the bass. However, this insert sometimes falls out or is removed. Aftermarket and most otther brands using the same manufacturer cases never have the insert.
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Bert
Well-known member
View attachment 28683
I own a few cases. The Case on the right is from 1979 the Ray came with. Blue interior. Center is shield shaped. Plastic handle.
(The two others on the left are newer (F.....)(G&G 1998 CS orange plush leather handle, Fullerton 1982 orange leather handle)).
I own a few cases. The Case on the right is from 1979 the Ray came with. Blue interior. Center is shield shaped. Plastic handle.
(The two others on the left are newer (F.....)(G&G 1998 CS orange plush leather handle, Fullerton 1982 orange leather handle)).
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Bert, I believe that is a Decuir case. Once in a while they actually have "Decuir" embossed on the leather compartment pull tab, but not that often. Take a look and see if it has it.
I believe the tolex cases were supplied by Decuir more often toward the end of CLF Research's run. Most all of that eras companies using Victoria Luggage were supplementing orders with Decuir.
Here are some important relevant notes:
Victoria Luggage had been set up during the late spring 1976 to make cases.
Decuir was sent 2 sample Stingray's to make case patterns February 14, 1977
Music Man was getting complaints of instruments arriving overseas damaged. They pushed CLF Research to find a solution to these problems. First they changed the vendor that supplied shipping boxes, going with a heavier duty box. That didn't solve the problem, so they tinkered around with some alternate case styles and vendors too. This eventually led to "Chainsaw" style cases that came about near the end of CLF Research's run and continued after other people started making the instruments.
I believe the tolex cases were supplied by Decuir more often toward the end of CLF Research's run. Most all of that eras companies using Victoria Luggage were supplementing orders with Decuir.
Here are some important relevant notes:
Victoria Luggage had been set up during the late spring 1976 to make cases.
Decuir was sent 2 sample Stingray's to make case patterns February 14, 1977
Music Man was getting complaints of instruments arriving overseas damaged. They pushed CLF Research to find a solution to these problems. First they changed the vendor that supplied shipping boxes, going with a heavier duty box. That didn't solve the problem, so they tinkered around with some alternate case styles and vendors too. This eventually led to "Chainsaw" style cases that came about near the end of CLF Research's run and continued after other people started making the instruments.
Tollywood
Well-known member
Thanks for the info, Brock. I love learning all the little details about things.
Welcome to the forum, Don.
Welcome to the forum, Don.
