That sounds like one of my morning affirmations, why burn incense when you just have to open a Ric case, take in a deep breath, flick the amp on and standby switch
see that the red light comes on and the day has begun in a very positive way'.

That's breakfast for the Mind and soul, food can wait! LOL

Yes it feels like a victory, actually just waking up and getting around is a victory in itself, the Ric is like value adding to the victory! The icing on the cake

Also if you use Zymol to polish your guitar, it only enhances the experience

Well, I can't honestly call it a 'new' smell, since my 4003 is an '01 and I bought it used. There's still a definite smell in there whenever I open the case, though. It's not unpleasant, but I can't describe it as anything else but paint thinner.
I should add that, as an engineering tech who worked with blueprint machines (anhydrous ammonia) and industrial solvents in asphalt- and soil-testing labs for 30 years, almost everything smells like paint thinner to me. Used to drive my ex-wife crazy ("Do you like my new perfume?" "Uh, well..").
After reading this post, I actually went and smelled all the cases andinstruments in the back room. Most of them (the cases) are much newer than the bass/guitar in them; they all have a faint chemical smell, which is probably glue and/or plastic, like everyone says. My '05 Carvin LB-20 has it's original case, and it, like the Rick, still has a smell in there. It smells like spicy paint thinner.
I do have a banjo, though, that has it's own unique smell. It's a '64 Ode Model 3 long neck that I got from a small music store in upstate Massachussetts. It's in the original case (they're scarcer than the banjoes), and I don't know where they kept it, but it smells like musty potatoes in a root celler! Kinda weird.

I would give it about 30 days for this strong smell to go away.

I bought a white 4001 in the mid 70's & a white 4000 in the early 80's, both new. The smell was one of the things that sold me on them. I recently bought an 89 4003. No smell. I miss it. I think the smell of British tube amps cooking is almost as good.

Actually, I hope it doesn't go away completely. It's a funky "Country" smell which is (I feel) well-suited to a banjo. Plus, it reminds me of the time I spent as a kid in root cellars, hiding from tornados. Which, by the way, is why I don't live in "Tornado Alley" any more.

Quick question; do English tube amps cooking really smell different? I have an old Marshall that I bought while stationed in England, and it smells the same as my Gretsch amp- like hot paint thinner.

I'll have to amend my statement. Vox both old & new & vintage Orange amps ( haven't played with anyone with a newer version) have the same smell. I think it is either the glue or the tolex they use blended with a slight hint of transformer . .

Very nice man....Im sure its a good feeling to have that New Car smell
Congrats man...

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The RIC smell reminds me of a new car. One of the best odors I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I say ONE of! Lol. I wish they would bottle and sell it.