Is B.C Rich for real again?
- Thread starter nexion218
- Start date
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
The Korean Gunslingers were great. I believe they then moved production to China. And that's when it fell apart. For $499 the Korean ones were awesome. They Chinese ones were junk. I don't think they advertised it.
Now you have to be careful if you get one. People will try to sell a Chinese one for a USA price. USA ones weren't worth the price IMO for a Floyd & a pickup IMO. Unless it had an Uber-cool graphic.
The Korean Gunslingers were great. I believe they then moved production to China. And that's when it fell apart. For $499 the Korean ones were awesome. They Chinese ones were junk. I don't think they advertised it.
Now you have to be careful if you get one. People will try to sell a Chinese one for a USA price. USA ones weren't worth the price IMO for a Floyd & a pickup IMO. Unless it had an Uber-cool graphic.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
The fact that they're Korean is only part of the reason they're so expensive. They are pretty decked out too, both visually and functionally.
The fact that they're Korean is only part of the reason they're so expensive. They are pretty decked out too, both visually and functionally.
nexion218
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
They are REALLY tempting... Still, the price sounds a bit steep... Especially that I just saw a local ad of a mint condition E-II 7-string with Evertune and hardcase for not much more...
They are REALLY tempting... Still, the price sounds a bit steep... Especially that I just saw a local ad of a mint condition E-II 7-string with Evertune and hardcase for not much more...
Perry go round
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
As my 40th birthday is approaching and we are lockdown at home, I decided to pull the trigger on one of the new Mockingbirds as a self-present.
I just received yesterday. It is a great guitar. I´ve another Mockingbird (a 7-8 years old Pro-X, also Korean made, hardtail with a LP control-setup and EMGs). I can not do an AB comparison since I have moved countries and the other one is at my familiy house. But from my feelings and what I remember, the older one had a slimmer neck-profile and the balance on the body when you play was slightly different as well (I may be my memory not being accurate though).
The new ones have an shredder carved neck joint not present on the older ones. The neck and fingerboard feel very straight and flat. To me, the feel of the neck reminds me to an old 90s Carvin neck trough I used to have.
The guitar looks great, flawless. The fingerboard is really nice, the fretwork is great, qute smooth, and it plays great. The Floyd works perfectly. The D-Activator pickups sounds quite good. I was afraid they may be too much high output to my taste, but no, they are well balanced to me (I have found the Duncan Distorsion set on my charvel a bit too much for me, I allways find myself rolling back the volume on those a bit). The coil-split sounds are definitely useable. Regarding the varitone, I found the first 4th positions quite similar, very subtle differences. Only the 5th position seems to bring some different flavour to the table.
Also, it comes with straplocks. I have noticed a little bit of a neck dive when playing standing, but nothing huge. It kind of tends to go a bit towards the horizontal position, but not even getting there, so not a big deal.
Had it only 1 day, and could only try it at home through my Yamaha THR10, so I can not provide information about how it behaves on a "real amp". Very happy so far.
Some pics from the shop before they sent to me:
As my 40th birthday is approaching and we are lockdown at home, I decided to pull the trigger on one of the new Mockingbirds as a self-present.
I just received yesterday. It is a great guitar. I´ve another Mockingbird (a 7-8 years old Pro-X, also Korean made, hardtail with a LP control-setup and EMGs). I can not do an AB comparison since I have moved countries and the other one is at my familiy house. But from my feelings and what I remember, the older one had a slimmer neck-profile and the balance on the body when you play was slightly different as well (I may be my memory not being accurate though).
The new ones have an shredder carved neck joint not present on the older ones. The neck and fingerboard feel very straight and flat. To me, the feel of the neck reminds me to an old 90s Carvin neck trough I used to have.
The guitar looks great, flawless. The fingerboard is really nice, the fretwork is great, qute smooth, and it plays great. The Floyd works perfectly. The D-Activator pickups sounds quite good. I was afraid they may be too much high output to my taste, but no, they are well balanced to me (I have found the Duncan Distorsion set on my charvel a bit too much for me, I allways find myself rolling back the volume on those a bit). The coil-split sounds are definitely useable. Regarding the varitone, I found the first 4th positions quite similar, very subtle differences. Only the 5th position seems to bring some different flavour to the table.
Also, it comes with straplocks. I have noticed a little bit of a neck dive when playing standing, but nothing huge. It kind of tends to go a bit towards the horizontal position, but not even getting there, so not a big deal.
Had it only 1 day, and could only try it at home through my Yamaha THR10, so I can not provide information about how it behaves on a "real amp". Very happy so far.
Some pics from the shop before they sent to me:
Perry go round
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
The switches are 2 coil splits for each pickup + a phase switch.
Thanks!
The switches are 2 coil splits for each pickup + a phase switch.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
They're coming back in a big way. They just re-hired Neal Moser and are having him build custom shop USA models again. Neal and I used to talk on a BC Rich forum when I was like 13 and he's probably the reason I know more about electronics than playing guitar today, since that forum vanished and I ended up here to fill the void. I'm really considering having one made by him and pulling my guitar nerd career into a closed circle.
They're coming back in a big way. They just re-hired Neal Moser and are having him build custom shop USA models again. Neal and I used to talk on a BC Rich forum when I was like 13 and he's probably the reason I know more about electronics than playing guitar today, since that forum vanished and I ended up here to fill the void. I'm really considering having one made by him and pulling my guitar nerd career into a closed circle.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
New on European distribution: Apparently it will largely be done through Warwick's website (because Germany IS Europe, right?), and they will only actually buy guitars when they are already ordered. I don't know how the rules in Germany are, but it might be that you even hàve to pay before they can be arsed to send an order for a model. F for effort.
New on European distribution: Apparently it will largely be done through Warwick's website (because Germany IS Europe, right?), and they will only actually buy guitars when they are already ordered. I don't know how the rules in Germany are, but it might be that you even hàve to pay before they can be arsed to send an order for a model. F for effort.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
I see that there is talk of the Gunslinger being reissued. I hope that they make that one a late-80s throwback model, like the ones they did some years ago. That was the silver age of BC Rich, yet it is not represented in the current selection.
I see that there is talk of the Gunslinger being reissued. I hope that they make that one a late-80s throwback model, like the ones they did some years ago. That was the silver age of BC Rich, yet it is not represented in the current selection.
Synapsys
Well-known member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
Just checked the prices for the Ironbird... € 1.700 is really too much for what it is. Not a smart move for the company.
Just checked the prices for the Ironbird... € 1.700 is really too much for what it is. Not a smart move for the company.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
These are sitting absolutely top-of-the-market price-wise. The market won't sustain that for a brand with such a spotty history and historically low aftermarket resale value. These new models will be closing out at retailers for closer to half those listed prices due to slow sales in the next year, you watch.
It's not like B.C. Rich went away for 20 years and are *finally* being revived by the original crew with guitars people haven't been able to get their hands on for years. Instead, the company has been on various forms of life support for the past 30 years and has never rightfully died off. Their "legacy" was created in the late '70s to mid-'80s. They should bank on that.
I have a lot of respect for Neal Moser as a designer and builder, but they need to come out with some affordable "USA" models to really compete and regain market share. I have a feeling, with him onboard, the U.S. stuff will get really expensive. Their Korean-made offerings are already nearing the prices of many USA-made production models from other companies. I'm guessing the USA stuff will easily be double that, which puts them into ultra-premium territory.
I wonder what sort of market research they have done, if any? Despite the modern global infrastructure, internet, and vastly different landscape when it comes to guitars, B.C. Rich is one of the few companies that could look at what they were doing well in 1976-1988 and apply it to their current business model, especially where products are concerned. Trying to be the next Schecter or ESP LTD competitor isn't going to keep them afloat. They've tried that several times already and failed.
These are sitting absolutely top-of-the-market price-wise. The market won't sustain that for a brand with such a spotty history and historically low aftermarket resale value. These new models will be closing out at retailers for closer to half those listed prices due to slow sales in the next year, you watch.
It's not like B.C. Rich went away for 20 years and are *finally* being revived by the original crew with guitars people haven't been able to get their hands on for years. Instead, the company has been on various forms of life support for the past 30 years and has never rightfully died off. Their "legacy" was created in the late '70s to mid-'80s. They should bank on that.
I have a lot of respect for Neal Moser as a designer and builder, but they need to come out with some affordable "USA" models to really compete and regain market share. I have a feeling, with him onboard, the U.S. stuff will get really expensive. Their Korean-made offerings are already nearing the prices of many USA-made production models from other companies. I'm guessing the USA stuff will easily be double that, which puts them into ultra-premium territory.
I wonder what sort of market research they have done, if any? Despite the modern global infrastructure, internet, and vastly different landscape when it comes to guitars, B.C. Rich is one of the few companies that could look at what they were doing well in 1976-1988 and apply it to their current business model, especially where products are concerned. Trying to be the next Schecter or ESP LTD competitor isn't going to keep them afloat. They've tried that several times already and failed.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
I had a MIK Mockingbird NJ Classic from that era. I recall it being a little neck heavy, but otherwise the guitar felt great to play. The fretwork was superb and I'd agree that the components were pretty good. The stock pickups were terrible, but made fine paper weights once replaced. But damn, was that guitar naturally bright. Maybe it was just that particular chuck of wood(s), but I got tired of swapping the pickups and eventually sold it. Had the neck-though been mahogany instead of maple, I likely wouldn't have sold it. It sure played well and was quite the looker, though.
I had a MIK Mockingbird NJ Classic from that era. I recall it being a little neck heavy, but otherwise the guitar felt great to play. The fretwork was superb and I'd agree that the components were pretty good. The stock pickups were terrible, but made fine paper weights once replaced. But damn, was that guitar naturally bright. Maybe it was just that particular chuck of wood(s), but I got tired of swapping the pickups and eventually sold it. Had the neck-though been mahogany instead of maple, I likely wouldn't have sold it. It sure played well and was quite the looker, though.
nexion218
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
That's what most official distributors do, at least here in Hungary. I got one of my Jackson Pro Series guitars from the local distributor, but man, was it a bad experience... Despite being official retailers, they only keep srock from the cheapest stuff. So I had to make an upfront payment of around 10% , they ordered if afterwards, had to wait three fokin months for the thing to arrive and basically made a blindfolded purchase on a 1000+ instrument. Had there been any hiccup I wouldve left it in tge shop, but when I asked them what if I dont like it when it arrives, they were rolling their eyes and making faces. And they blame it all on FMIC, "because they service us at the end of the queue" . Well guess what? Thats because you dont generate sales for them! 1000+ USD is around an average local monthly salary. People wont throwing that much at sellers blindfolded. At least have one of each model instead of stockpiling on the chinese crap, set them up well giving guys a chance to play the thing and then it will sell. No monthly payment plans either. Right now my only shot at a USA guitar is reverb, I just cant afford 3k in one sum. Spreading it out over a year or so, thats a different story..Oh yeah, and the hardcase took them another 3 months...
Its just weird strategy from the shops. They are trying to be too safe with their investments and theyre shooting everbody in their foot in the process.
That's what most official distributors do, at least here in Hungary. I got one of my Jackson Pro Series guitars from the local distributor, but man, was it a bad experience... Despite being official retailers, they only keep srock from the cheapest stuff. So I had to make an upfront payment of around 10% , they ordered if afterwards, had to wait three fokin months for the thing to arrive and basically made a blindfolded purchase on a 1000+ instrument. Had there been any hiccup I wouldve left it in tge shop, but when I asked them what if I dont like it when it arrives, they were rolling their eyes and making faces. And they blame it all on FMIC, "because they service us at the end of the queue" . Well guess what? Thats because you dont generate sales for them! 1000+ USD is around an average local monthly salary. People wont throwing that much at sellers blindfolded. At least have one of each model instead of stockpiling on the chinese crap, set them up well giving guys a chance to play the thing and then it will sell. No monthly payment plans either. Right now my only shot at a USA guitar is reverb, I just cant afford 3k in one sum. Spreading it out over a year or so, thats a different story..Oh yeah, and the hardcase took them another 3 months...
Its just weird strategy from the shops. They are trying to be too safe with their investments and theyre shooting everbody in their foot in the process.
Cdwillis
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
Their reputation among a lot of people my age seems to be the brand that made those junk Kerry King starter guitars. Maybe the older guys will remember their late 70s early 80s heyday and want to fork over a ton of cash for expensive models. I wouldn't. If they had a decent naturally finished mockingbird for $600 I'd bite. Maybe. All that abalone is tacky as hell, imo, and I'd never touch a guitar like that. Reminds me of LTD's EC1000 with the sunburst finish and JB/59 setup. Those guitars were great, but I couldn't stand the abalone.
Their reputation among a lot of people my age seems to be the brand that made those junk Kerry King starter guitars. Maybe the older guys will remember their late 70s early 80s heyday and want to fork over a ton of cash for expensive models. I wouldn't. If they had a decent naturally finished mockingbird for $600 I'd bite. Maybe. All that abalone is tacky as hell, imo, and I'd never touch a guitar like that. Reminds me of LTD's EC1000 with the sunburst finish and JB/59 setup. Those guitars were great, but I couldn't stand the abalone.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: Is B.C Rich for real again?
It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Boomers have all the guitars they want and those collections are starting to get sold off. That market is nearly dead.
If they pull off the re-launch they'll be selling to the next group of guys that were active in the 80's and never got the one they wanted. A second wave of historical buyer may exist, we'll find out.
They also brought back Neil Moser and Dan Lawerence, meaning they're going to have some American made stuff that has some throwback clout.
Will there be enough old shredders out there to buy them? I hope so! I have two B.C.'s and I love them both, metal is the last crop of electric guitar buyers. Rock might die (over exposed) but metal won't b/c it's too much fun to play, even if it's forever in the shadows.
It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Boomers have all the guitars they want and those collections are starting to get sold off. That market is nearly dead.
If they pull off the re-launch they'll be selling to the next group of guys that were active in the 80's and never got the one they wanted. A second wave of historical buyer may exist, we'll find out.
They also brought back Neil Moser and Dan Lawerence, meaning they're going to have some American made stuff that has some throwback clout.
Will there be enough old shredders out there to buy them? I hope so! I have two B.C.'s and I love them both, metal is the last crop of electric guitar buyers. Rock might die (over exposed) but metal won't b/c it's too much fun to play, even if it's forever in the shadows.