Any love of 'original' BC Rich Guitars here ?

[Timmo]

Anyone here have any love for the orignal BC Rich guitars from the 70's/early 80's ?
I saw SLASH playing one the other day in an old GnR video and was wondering if they are cool or just cool to look at.

 

[cswolfe]

Yes. I've been looking for the following for over 20 years.

BC Rich late 70s very early 80s mockingbird supreme in bluburst, all original and well kept with working original electronics. I have not seen one with those specs at any price, let alone with less than outrageous price.

Some of the early riches were amazing.

 

[KoaFreak]

Oh yes. The USA B.C.s are some of the best guitars available at any price to me. For me the holy trinity of B.C. Rich are the Eagle, Bich and Mockingbird, super cool looking in '70s style guise with clear finishes over flamed maple, although I don't care for the painted '80s metalized versions.

Fantastic guitars, but the real ones aren't cheap.

 

[aleclee]

The 10 string Bich inspired my first case of GAS.

 

[tms13pin]

Originally posted by aleclee
The 10 string Bich inspired my first case of GAS.

Yes yes! Oh how I longed for one of those 10-string Bich's!
Especially the beautiful 5-piece laminated clear coated ones.
Man they were sweet looking. I was in HS when they were
out, and the price of them was so out of reach for a HS kid
at that time, that there was NO way I was ever going to be
able to afford one.

I've been a gadget head all of my life too, so having all those
knobs and switches on those axes was like heaven for me
too.

--Tom

 

[EL34]

Yep...when I was in high school, I was in a popular cover band and I played a low-end SG. My arch nemesis in a competing band played one of those beautiful USA Mockingbirds...damn how I envyed that guy! I wanted that guitar in the worst way...probably my first case of gas.

 

[Lex Luthier]

I had an old Bich years ago, nice guitar but all those switches, preamps and stuff got kind of confusing. Mine was trans red over quilted body sides, looked really cool.

 

[Timmo]

Thanks for the comments..........I want one now!
I've never owned a guitar with so many switches and it looks like there has to be a ton of different tones in one these babies.
The hunt begins...............

 

[MOJO]

the Eagle is the only one i ever felt comfortable playing, the rest just seem to jab me in the ribs too much

 

[Bandmonster]

Yes. One of the first boutiques, if not THE first. I also prefer the Eagles, but many prefer the Mockingbirds and the Bitches. Here are a couple Mockingbirds. A 1983 Koa and a 1981 Maple.

 

[Timmo]

Originally posted by Bandmonster
Yes. One of the first boutiques, if not THE first. I also prefer the Eagles, but many prefer the Mockingbirds and the Bitches. Here are a couple Mockingbirds. A 1983 Koa and a 1981 Maple.

Man, you are KILLING ME here! Beautiful!



Those can "stick me in the ribs" any ole time.
I cannot wait to try one out. They just seem beggin' to be played.

 

[KoaFreak]

Ahh those 'Birds rock! I love koa also both as a tonewood and for looks. It's funny, when I was a kid, I might have liked the '80s metal Riches more (the more metal, the better) but as I've grown older and wiser I realize the '70s style Riches are just in a another league, TIMELESS!

 

[Tom Gross]

I used to have a 77 Seagull, a beautiful guitar. My teacher told me never to get rid of it, but I did.
When I had it in the late 80's I called Bernie Rico and spoke to him about it - he was real cool, told me all about it (Guild pickups), and said it would be worth money someday.

 

[The Eristic]

I'd love an early MB and Wave (which is their most underrated shape, imo), maybe an Ignitor, too.

 

[dzeitlin]

I had always wanted one as a kid, but couldn't afford them. Later, after I had the cash, I picked up an early 80's MB. It had a pretty narrow fingerboard, and wouldn't stay in tune. It was also pretty heavy, and I wasn't too crazy about the pickups. It definately looked great, I just couldn't bond with it.

 

[dtube]

One of the more moving experiences of my life occured when I - in full 80's mindset - picked up a Warlock (gorgeous dark-blue sunburst) and proceeded to pull off a 5-finger finger-tap perfectly, with the help of a Marshal combo dimed. Wow. But, playing devil's advocate here, every guitar that I have ever played with a maple neck-thru sounded a bit cold and sterile. All the same, the ease of playing that Warlock really sent me into GAS big time. Thank God though that I did not trade my then-new '85 Jap Strat for it.

I believe that Joe Perry and Rick Deringer played those 10-string Bich's on stage quite a bit.
-Darren

 

[Whiteknuckles]

I have a '80 mockingbird, it's been in its case for the last 15 years. I played it the other day, it's in surpisingly good shape. The fretboard is too narrow, and I don't like the pups, but can't bring myself to unload it. It sure looks cool, IMHO.

 

[samdjr74]

Actually I just got a 10 string Bich. It's brand new from BC Rich and I must say it plays and sounds amazing. I have the full active electronics in mine and the varitone switch plus the rest of the electronics are incredible. I got mine with a quilted maple top and macthing headstock veneer, gold hardware, ebony fret board and a Dimarzio super 2 in the neck and a x2n in the bridge. I couldn't be happier with it.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[tms13pin]

Sam, you gotta post a pic. I'm drooling just thinking about
that one!

--Tom

 

[mjl927]

I have a late 80's Korean built Warlock. It was my second guitar so it holds a certain amount of sentimental value. Mine isn't worth $100 on the market though. I hacked it up too much and it is beat from the years of hard work. My friends father owns a machine shop so we were able to route the guitar for a Kahler Spider tremolo system (similar to a Floyd). The route job looks very good but you can tell it is not factory. The bar is blocked now though and acts as a fixed bridge. I've had several different pickups i that guitar over the years. Right now is has one of those duncan invaders in it. The guitar sat in it's case for about 8 years until I recently pulled it out. The whole fretboard had grown FUNGUS all over it!! LOL!! I cleaned it all up, put new strings on it and the action is still very good. The guitar plays fine. It is in desperate need of a fretjob though.