Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

[LeftyF]

I bought this guitar around 1993. All I've been able to work out is that it was made in the 80s, and it predates Class Axe. Otherwise it seems to be a one off. The Assasins with 2 pickups also had a tone knob, where this one is just volume (I replaced the pot with a push/pull set to split both coils when the original pot finally died). It did not come with the back plate for the trem, so I got a replacement that fit the existing screw holes. I also added the chrome pickup rings and knob, but I've kept the originals in case I ever sell it. Otherwise it's bone stock to my knowledge. Pickups are a JB in the bridge and an Alnico II in the neck. The JB is the best one I've heard, and I've had several in other guitars. If I remember right it was wound by MJ in the custom shop. It has a very big neck with big wide frets, but I have fairly big hands so that's a non issue for me. Otherwise it sounds fantastic and it's surprisingly versatile, especially since I added the single coil option.

Any info anyone may be able to share would be great. I have a guy that pings me every year to see if I want to sell it, but I can't bring myself to let it go as it is my one floating trem guitar, and essential when recording shreddy guitar tracks. I also have no clue what it's worth. Anyway, here it is in all it's 80s glory

 

[dystrust]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

Looks like a ST-3 to me.

AFAIK BCRs back then were individually made to order instead of being standard models, so the slightly unusual specs aren't surprising. It's possible that the SDs are original to the guitar but I doubt it. Most HH BCRs from that era would have shipped with a DiMarzio PAF / SuperD set.

 

[LeftyF]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

Looks like an ST-3 to me.

Edit - thanks for the info. That makes sense. I know someone did some work on the wiring before I got to it, so it's quite possible those pickups were done later. Having had an SG with those Dimarzios back in the day I'm frankly glad they changed them. These pickups work really well with this guitar, where the Super Distortion especially would have been too thin from what I recall. It was worth buying the guitar just for this JB...

PS - any guess on what it's worth?

 

[dystrust]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

Edit - thanks for the info. That makes sense. I know someone did some work on the wiring before I got to it, so it's quite possible those pickups were done later. Having had an SG with those Dimarzios back in the day I'm frankly glad they changed them. These pickups work really well with this guitar, where the Super Distortion especially would have been too thin from what I recall. It was worth buying the guitar just for this JB...

PS - any guess on what it's worth?

After a bit of further thought and research, it's definitely not a ST-3, at least not the standard model. Those were typically HSS with 3 on-off switches instead of H-H with the toggle like you have. The slanted bridge humbucker is more typical of the Gunslinger from a couple years later. The placement of the toggle switch looks very similar to a few later model ST customs. Based on the pics I was able to find online, I'd guess your guitar is late '87 at the earliest, but probably '88 if you're 100% sure that it predates Class Axe. Early 90s Gunslingers have a sculpted heel with no plate, so it's earlier than that.

In terms of value, it's a shame that the market for these hasn't caught on like the market for USA Jacksons of the same era. The graphic finish will increase value, while being a lefty may decrease it a little. On the low end, I'd say it's worth around $1000, up to maybe $1200-1500 on the high end.

 

[LeftyF]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

After a bit of further thought and research, it's definitely not a ST-3, at least not the standard model. Those were typically HSS with 3 on-off switches instead of H-H with the toggle like you have. The slanted bridge humbucker is more typical of the Gunslinger from a couple years later. The placement of the toggle switch looks very similar to a few later model ST customs. Based on the pics I was able to find online, I'd guess your guitar is late '87 at the earliest, but probably '88 if you're 100% sure that it predates Class Axe. Early 90s Gunslingers have a sculpted heel with no plate, so it's earlier than that.

In terms of value, it's a shame that the market for these hasn't caught on like the market for USA Jacksons of the same era. The graphic finish will increase value, while being a lefty may decrease it a little. On the low end, I'd say it's worth around $1000, up to maybe $1200-1500 on the high end.

Great, thanks! The guy that tries to buy it every year offered me $1,200.00 and a Jackson Soloist on the last offer, so he was quite generous. I'm inclined to hang onto it, but it was a solid offer.

Take care and thanks again for all the info!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

That's a freaking cool looking axe
I would hate to own something like that cuz I flat out just don't have the chops to do that thing justice.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

 

[LeftyF]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

That's a freaking cool looking axe
I would hate to own something like that cuz I flat out just don't have the chops to do that thing justice.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

Thanks! It's a great sounding guitar. Here's one I did with Colin Mitchell on that one


http://lakesideconsult.com/file_upload/fred/Mixes/Mitchell%20Clark/Three/toots.mp3

And here are (most of) the rest of the guitars that have made their way into my pile over the years

I never meant to have so many, but they all do different things so I rationalise it that way. And it could be worse...

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

It appears to be a 1987-88 Gunslinger with an added neck pickup. If you provided better pics of the rear nut area so I can see if it's a top or rear mount nut I could date it a little better. It has a real world street value of $1,200 tops FWIW.

edited.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

1987-89 USA's (pointy headstock) were the last of the Bernie Rico era.
Class Axe era was from 1990-94 and a lot of those did not have a neck plate.

 

[LeftyF]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

It appears to be a 1987-88 Gunslinger with an added neck pickup. If you provided better pics of the rear nut area so I can see if it's a top or rear mount nut I could date it a little better. It has a real world street value of $1,200 tops FWIW.

edited.

It's a rear mount nut (assuming you are asking if it's bolted in from the back which it is).

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Rare 1980s left handed BC Rich - what is it?

Rear mount nut was 1987-88 but the tuners also help date them as well so I was hoping for a picture but no matter I'll help you the best I can. Your bridge appears to be a topmount as opposed to a recessed trem that most all other Gunslingers had so this is most likely a custom guitar. Also the added neck humbucker is another clue to that. You bridge also appears to be an Original Floyd so it was either provided by the customer or added by BCRich for a hefty fee, but otherwise it should have an Edge or Gotoh trem depending on your tuners.

Here's a quick way to help identify the years for that time period:
1987: Ibanez Original Edge trem, Grover tuners, rear mount nut
1988: Gotoh G1988T trem, Gotoh tuners, rear mount nut
1989: Kahler Spyder trem, Grover tuners (different than 87), top mount nut
Most had DiMarzios, B-xxxx or BC-xxxxx serial numbered neck plates
All had black hardware

For this time frame it's best to go off of the hardware and nut mounting to achieve the most accurate dating, but as always there were some deviations between model years and change overs by using up old stock, plus in 1990 when Class Axe bought them out he was supposed to inherit old stock with the deal, so it only adds to the confusion when dating these if you're not keen on details or a lot of things were swapped out over the years.

Aside from the bridge it appears to be all original and I'm willing to bet the guy after this is my friend Anthony because he told me about it last summer when I found him a lefty neck thru 87 Gunslinger (regular headstock/dual humbucker or I would've kept it myself). He seems to be on a BC Rich kick the last few years adding quite a few 1987-88 USA's. When/if the time comes hit him up cause he will give it a good home.