| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1144.1 | good note | RAINBO::WEBER | | Fri Feb 17 1989 09:58 | 21 |
| Nice job, Mr. Rost.
I bought myself a koa Mockingbird Supreme, "longhorn" style, in
1978. It was extremely well made, with a very comfortable neck,
and despite the odd shape, had the best balance of almost any guitar
I've ever played--standing up. It was somewhat awkward when played
sitting. The electronics were fun to play with, but the preamp
had very high distortion. A cleaner preamp would have helped make
up for the losses inherent in the varitone circuit. Despite these
problems, it was one of the best solids I had played at that time,
and I used it as my stage guitar until 1981.
I was so pleased with the Mockingbird that I later bought a birdseye
maple Eagle Supreme, but the body shape on this was neither as
attractive or as practical as the Mockingbird, and I rarely played it.
BC Rich had the right stuff to become a major force in the US guitar
market, but I think they blew it when they started importing lookalike
guitars.
Danny W.
|
| 1144.2 | Luv my BC Rich.... | BUSY::KELLY | What's this hell you've put me through?? | Fri Feb 17 1989 13:57 | 17 |
|
Nice bass note.
I own a BC Rich Warlock Bass. And like any bass it has it's
good and bad points. Sitting with the bass is a pain in the
chest..cause that's where the strap mount digs ya. I love the action
on my BC but I have several extended frets causing Fret buzz. I
also modified it. I ripped out the stock pickups and slapped in
OBL's... The ebony neck has a nice sound compared to previous maple
necked basses I've owned.
I do however have a question. Is there a difference in sound
between the older basses (with the split head.. 2 strings per side
like mine) and the new heads...all on one side...?
BK
|
| 1144.3 | B.C. Rich - still alive and well | USRCV1::REAUME | undergoing behavior analysis | Mon Feb 20 1989 13:23 | 37 |
|
This topics right up my alley !
I have owned two B.C. Rich neck-thru body guitars and one bolt-on.
My first Rich, an Eagle, was bought in 1978. It was maple with the
dark wood stripes on either side of the pickups (flanking the
neck-thru). It came in with DiMarzio's. I kept the guitar until
1983. I had one of the son-of-a-rich guitars with a Bich body and
bolt-on neck but turned around and sold it after a couple months.
At that time I still had the Eagle and the bolt-on really felt cheap.
In 1981 I bought a Rich Bich 6 string. This guitar is still stunning
with it's figured maple sides and cloud inlays. It came with Bill
Lawrence pick-ups which made the guitar sound too tinny. I replaced
them with PAF style p/u's and they worked great. I still have this
guitar.
I recently decided that my next guitar was going to be a strat-style
and there are plenty of choices. I also thought that the B.C. Rich
Company that made handcrafted customized guitars had fallen by the
wayside to the cheapo import biz. NOT TRUE! The company that imports
the Korean guitars (Class Axe) is licensed to use the B.C. Rich
name ( prestige has its price, and apparently the importer must
see the advantage to using an established name ). Other than that
there is no comparison between the Korean guitars and the high-end
guitars coming out of California.
The American-series still covers the exotic bodies that made B.C.
Rich known in the early Eighties. In changing with the times the
strat model , the STIII, was added in 1986. It was designed by
Bernie Rico and Wayne Charvel. Charvel had sold out his interest
in the company that bore his name to Grover Jackson. Recently
Wayne Charvel designed the WRC SR-71 for Gibson, again a strat
style!
I recently ordered the B.C. Rich STIII through a distributor in
Connecticut. Two of the deciding factors was my satisfaction with
my two previous neck-thru body Rich's and the ability to custom
order. I'm expecting shipment in April or May.
I'll post a note when it arrives .
|
| 1144.4 | I Stand Corrected | AQUA::ROST | The closer I am to fine | Wed Apr 26 1989 17:43 | 7 |
|
I happened to see a recent B.C. Rich catalog and according to that,
the handmade instuments are still made, as well as the non-active
Series II units. Prices are up though, by a couple of hundred bucks.
However, I never see these hanging on dealer walls in MA anymore,
so I don't know who (if anybody) is buying them.
|
| 1144.5 | Better than your average six-string dcream | USRCV1::REAUME | undergoing behavior analysis | Thu Apr 27 1989 13:44 | 24 |
| re: .4
You Bet! My brand new neck-thru American handmade B.C. Rich ST-III
came in last week. Time to build was approx 14 weeks. The guitar
was bought through Eastcoast Sound in Danbury, CT and according
to the salespeople they still get quite a few orders for the
USA BC's. I've heard that they are more popular on the west coast
and I'll agree that the presence isn't as big as it was in the early
Eighties.
The guitar I received is really well done. It actually is better
than I expected. The Thunder Blue finish is striking and the special
order lightning bolt inlays on the neck look great. I played out
last weekend and left my Les Paul in it's case both nights! Even
though the neck-thru models are approximately $300 more than the
bolt-on axes I think this is one area where B.C. Rich really has
their act together.
All in all I was able to talk directly with the guitar custom
shop and people at B.C. Rich to be sure I got exactly what I wanted
and although there are a lot of strat style guitars out there I'd
put my new one up against anything else I've tried (Jackson,Hamer,
ESP,Gibson WRC).
There is a catalog you can order from B.C. Rich International that
is just the American models. The other guitars are in the catalog
from Class Axe Inc that imports B.C. Rich licensed guitars. I'll
post the addresses is a later note.
|
| 1144.6 | GET HAPPY!!!! | HAMER::KRON | KA-BOOM | Wed Aug 23 1989 11:57 | 6 |
| I just picked up a B.C.Rico wave guitar,neck thru body for 125$
-a true joy to play w/2 humbuckers and a Gibson style bridge
and WHAT SUSTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm really a bass player but I
like to play guitar on occasion and the price sure was right!!!
I couldn't be more pleased (unless one of you has a P.R.S. you'd
like to swap for it!!)
|
| 1144.7 | late arrival | USRCV1::REAUME | undergoing behavior analysis | Wed Aug 23 1989 13:02 | 21 |
| Here's addresses (finally):
B.C. Rich International Co. \
1705 Chico Ave. - Made in U.S.A.
South El Monte, CA 91733 /
Class Axe,Inc. \
P.O. Box 239 - Korean Imports
Middlesex, NJ 08846 /
The U.S.A. series are obviously more expensive, roughly $799-1599
and probably even more with double necks and custom options. There
is a new model out called the Black Hole for $1299. I have no idea
what it looks like. It seems that B.C. Rich sells mostly ST's
(strat style), Warlocks, and Ironbirds. I still love my U.S.A.
ST-III !
The Class Axe series are licensed by B.C. Rich and run $299-$499
approximately.
|
| 1144.8 | still alive and well! | USRCV1::REAUME | KH,BC,LP,SGE,SP=ME | Tue Jan 09 1990 11:34 | 11 |
| I saw something interesting in the new Guitar World mag (feb 90).
There's a Dean Markley string ad with Warrant endorsing them. All
three guitars were B.C.'s. American series, of course! All the axes
had custom graphics. The bass was the Strat type (ST) with a cigarette
ad on it, one guitar was an explorer with a skull type design, and
(ready for this!) the other guitar was a Les Paul type with a Trojan
condom logo on it! It's the first Les Paul body I've seen B.C. do.
It didn't have an arched top, used one EMG pickup, looks like there's
a trem on it but no bar was attached, and used the older B.C. Rich
headstock with three tuners per side. interesting!
-boom
|
| 1144.9 | UPDATE | FREEBE::REAUME | rock & roll outlaw w/6string gun | Tue Jan 09 1990 19:31 | 14 |
|
As noted in topic 1625, the new name of B.C. Rich guitars
made in the U.S. is "Mason Bernard". Everything else about the
guitars is the same. It is my understanding that the same people
that worked in B.C.'s California custom shop are still employed
there.
The name "B.C. Rich" has been sold to Class Axe, the company that
has been importing guitars from Korea. They were licensed to use
the Rich name, now they OWN it! Maybe it's for the better. A lot
of people were confused between the two product lines of cheap import
vs. expensive handbuilt domestic.
All in all I still love my U.S. built B.C. Rich ST-III. I really
don't like the new name even though it's the same axe. I know name
isn't everything, but it helps.
|
| 1144.10 | | VLNVAX::ALECLAIRE | | Thu Jan 11 1990 22:01 | 1 |
| Saw an ad for the Virgin:Round Bottom and horn-like strat upper bouts.
|
| 1144.11 | | USRCV1::REAUME | KH,BC,LP,SGE,SP=ME | Fri Jan 12 1990 12:20 | 11 |
| The "Virgin" is a Class Axe design from what I understand. I've
seen the picture of it as well. After the NAMM show we'll have a
better idea what's being offered. I have a hunch that Class Axe will come
out with some upscale models to compete with ESP.
Re .10 If you bought a virgin would it be your first one?
SORRY -- couldn't resist!
-BOOM
|
| 1144.12 | | VLNVAX::ALECLAIRE | | Fri Jan 12 1990 13:47 | 1 |
| Ever since I gots my fingers on a bich, the Virgins don't excite me.
|
| 1144.13 | MB=Mercedes-Benz/Mason Bernard | FREEBE::REAUME | 0 to 60 - on 6 strings | Fri Jan 26 1990 11:27 | 8 |
| It's official. B.C. Rich U.S.A. is now "Mason Bernard" as
I posted earlier. No catalog is presently available, but here's
the scoop. The new direction of the company is to build High-end
handbuilt guitars. This means the elimination of the low-end guitars
like the Gunslinger. Guitars will problably all be special order
and prices will probably be in the $1500 range. More to come as
the info comes in.
-BOOM
|
| 1144.14 | hindsight set to 20/20 | FREEBE::REAUME | WEEKEND|workweek|WEEKEND | Fri Jul 27 1990 10:33 | 13 |
| If any of you axe-slingers got a USA-made B.C. Rich I'm happy
to tell you that they seem to be holding their value quite well.
In particular the neck-thru Mockingbirds and Biches seem to be
commanding the best price. Stupid me - I sold my neck-thru Bich
when I bought my STIII. Now I hear these guitars are worth more
than I thought, not to mention more than I sold mine for.
But the silver lining is the friend I sold mine to may be interested
in swapping the Bich for my Les Paul Custom. Hmmmmmm - I'll give
it a shot first before I sell the L.P.
Ready for this - East Coast Sound sold a neck-thru Mockingbird
for $2800! Yeeeeeeeoooowww!
--/BooM/--
|
| 1144.15 | RICH help needed ! | TRUCKS::LITTEN | | Tue Jun 11 1991 09:27 | 56 |
| Hi BC Rich people !
I am helping out a destitute student friend of my son who has a tatty
BC Rich guitar needing a clean up.
I am doing it up and I am curious about the model and it's worth. My son's
friend says it is a US version and probably worth quite a bit.
I would appreciate any info or thoughts you have on it...here is a
description......
Colour White ( off white almost white/cream)
Single pickup (Seymor Duncan) dual coil (black)
Single vol control
No pickguard
Maple ( or similar) neck
Black fronted head stock with BC Rich on it. Pointey job ! tuners facing to
floor
Bolt on neck
All hardware is black anodised metal.
Neck backplate with RC RICH (tm) B8947 LA CALIFORNIA USA on it.
This is angled left to right
BC Rich wammy bar plus locking nut. 1/8 inch cut away in body to allow for
movement.
Strat(ish) variant style body
The body has had a few large chips taken out of the paint leaving a grey
primer exposed. I am recitent about re-spraying it due to de-valuing, but I am
masking off and (car spray-can) spraying the nearest colour to touch it in
the chips only.
The neck/frets look in good shape and capable of a nice action although the
owner had it set up badly (the locking trem was at a crazy angle and the
action at twelth fret about 1/4 inch !). To be expected as he is only just a
beginner.
He is thinking about selling it and so I am doing some basic housework to
bring the appearance up to its playing potential !
Any thoughts/advice/identification/value/ would be appreciated. I intend
returning the guitar by about 15 June 91, so prompt thoughts would be
helpful.
regards,
Dave
|
| 1144.16 | | FREEBE::REAUME | Kitty Hawk Rack Monster | Wed Jun 12 1991 16:21 | 12 |
|
Sorry this is a little late- just caught it. If the guitar is a USA
version it will say so on the headstock right below the logo. Earlier
offshore built B.C. Rich guitars either say NJ series or licensed by
BC Rich. Recently the importers bought the rights to the name but they
are out of New Jersey (Class Axe). These have been built only in the
last year and a half so I doubt the axe is one of these, especially if
it says Los Angeles on it.
I would roughly estimate the value at around $500, give or take $100
based on condition/playability.
-B()()M-
|
| 1144.17 | | BTOVT::BAGDY_M | METALGod in the making ! | Mon Jun 17 1991 13:27 | 9 |
|
I just purchased a BC Rich Warlock Saturday at EU Wurlitzers
in Woosta'. Haven't had much time to play around with it
though, since my amps are all over at the rehearsal studio.
But tonight. . .is another story ! :^) Oh yeah, I picked
this up for $250 !
Matt
|
| 1144.18 | | DECWIN::KMCDONOUGH | Set Kids/Nosick | Thu Jun 20 1991 11:33 | 9 |
|
The new G+R video shows Slash alternating between a Les Paul and what
looks like a BC Rich. Expect G+R fans to start checking out BC Rich
guitars.
Also expect some marketing person at Gibson to get nervous. 8-)
Kevin
|
| 1144.19 | Mr. no-money | CAVLRY::BUCK | sun beats down on the cold steel rails | Thu Jun 20 1991 11:38 | 10 |
| Before the recording of AFD, Slash used a BC Rich and a Jackson as his
main guitars. However, as slash puts it "When we started recording the
album, I listened to my guitar tracks through the headphones and said
'they sound like $#!t', so he and his producer went out in search of a
GOOD guitar." They came back with a '59 flame top LP!
'sides, Slash probably figures now that BC Rich is defunct as a
company, he doesn't have to worry about "endorsing" them, perse.
Buck, who wishes he could just go out on a limb and buy a '59 flame top
|
| 1144.20 | Money Is Not An Object | RGB::ROST | I believe she's a dope fiend | Thu Jun 20 1991 11:46 | 6 |
| Re: .19
Yo, Buck, there's always Bencharge at $25 a month through the next
millenium....
Brian
|
| 1144.21 | East Coast Building "Custom" Riches | RGB::ROST | Felix Pappalardi in a previous life | Mon Dec 16 1991 08:15 | 10 |
| Well, the old California factory may now be just history, but
apparently East Coast Music Mall bought all the leftover parts,
including a slew of body blanks (that is body/neck sets with no
hardware or electronics installed yet) which they will build up in
custom guitars.
BTW, East Coast is also listing some used Riches at prices about $300
over the original list prices.
Brian
|
| 1144.22 | | FREEBE::REAUME | MAXrack -the KH/Rocktron alternative | Mon Dec 16 1991 10:59 | 14 |
|
Yeah - I got one of the last California neck-thru custom strats!!
FWIW - that's what Buck used through my amps since it was the closest
thing around to a Ibanez. I saw the East Coast ad as well. From what
I understand the early Mockingbirds and Bichs are holding their value
well. Not to mention having Slash use a 'bird in one of the recent
Gn'R videos.
East Coast was probably the biggest seller of *real* B.C. Rich
guitars. That's where my ST-III came from. Bernie Rico effectivly
sold the rights to use the B.C. Rich name to Class Axe. The California
shop was using the name Mason Bernard, but I haven't heard much about
them.
-B()()M-
|
| 1144.23 | Last Of The Riches In CT Now | TECRUS::ROST | Metal Guru | Tue Oct 19 1993 11:20 | 22 |
| What may be the last chapter in the B.C. Rich saga is unfolding now in
Danbury, CT at East Coast Music Mall.
Apparently Class Axe, after actually starting to have guitars built in
the US again, ran into cash flow problems and sold all their reminaing
inventory to East Coast. This included mostly imported axes but also
came with a pile or neck-through blanks from the original California
factory. So East Coast is selling some new guitars that are actually
assembled in their custom shop, using EMG electronics. Prices range
from $250 for some of the imports to $2500 for the top-of-the-line
puppies they are building.
Of course, quantities are limited...for example the catalog stated
there were less than then Gene Simmons model basses (yeah, I know
that's gonna disappoint some of you out there <grin>). Also the last
of the Blackie Lawless basses (no word on the Dave Hickernell bass).
Who knows what the reasle value will be for these CT-built axes, but
from what I've seen, prices on the handmade Riches are on the rise on
the used market.
Dean Zelinsky
|
| 1144.24 | Is he unknown by the company he keeps? | NWACES::HICKERNELL | Intelligence != Wisdom | Tue Oct 19 1993 12:22 | 6 |
| > that's gonna disappoint some of you out there <grin>). Also the last
> of the Blackie Lawless basses (no word on the Dave Hickernell bass).
Now what do you have against poor Blackie? %^)
Dave
|
| 1144.25 | ECMM at Boston Guitar show | MILKWY::JACQUES | Vintage taste, reissue budget | Tue Oct 19 1993 13:55 | 5 |
| East Coast Music Mall was at the Boston Guitar show. They were
showing off their BC RIch guitars as well as some custom Fender
and Gibson guitars they offer.
Mark
|
| 1144.26 | | DABEAN::REAUME | two sides - in & out | Tue Oct 19 1993 13:56 | 14 |
|
I guess that means like for the "Made in USA" fine print under
the BC Rich headstock logo. My ST-III was ordered through East Coast
back in '89 or so and is still a great axe - I even brought it over
to Buck's jam back in January.
I think the problem was that the range of BC's went from cheapo
imports (some with ugly graphics) to handmade neck-thru body
top-of-the-line axes. Sort of an identity crisis thing. I'll probably
hang onto my last BC (I've had a Bich and Eagle before this, wish I'd
never sold the Eagle).
thanx Brian R. You're a wealth of information these days.
|
| 1144.27 | Another B.C. Rich fan! | AIDEV::MISKINIS | | Tue Oct 19 1993 22:52 | 10 |
| Hi Guys,
I've got one of the "Platinum Series" B.C. Rich Warlock
guitars (straight lines, no curves)...
Although it has a few scratches, it it worth anything as
a collector's item? I pick it up now and then, but I'm
by no means a good player... (working on it :))
_John_
|
| 1144.28 | | FREEBE::REAUME | Six Flags over Syracuse | Mon Nov 08 1993 18:25 | 12 |
|
The latest East Coast Music Mall flyer devotes a whole page to
the "BC" buyout. Even includes a short history of the company.
According to them they have the biggest selection of new and used
BC Rich guitars. Some of them are even "one of a kinds". If you are
dead set on a quality BC, I guess they are the people ot talk to.
In the same flyer they make it fairly clear that Paul Reed Smith
is their latest favorite in the line of high-end guitars. Pretty
much fills in the BC Rich gap.
-B{}{}M-
|
| 1144.29 | | DABEAN::REAUME | click -- buzz -- whirr | Thu Apr 07 1994 10:27 | 7 |
|
I forget where I read it, but apparently Bernie Rico is
back at the helm of BC Rich. The Class Axe thing never really
went anywhere big. It remains to be seen, but my guess is that
they will go more after the handmade custom guitars, along the lines
of the old Mockingbird and Bich days.
|