Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

[Kamanda~SD]

I know there's some of you out there!

Always loved the look of these, and I was tempted by some of the reissues. However, whenever I look I see a lot of people talking how they only come close in looks to the old ones. I tried researching but couldn't find much...

-Were there different 'models' or specs?
-How to differentiate? (I know BC Rich serial numbers are basically useless)
-What are the main differences?
-Avg Price?
-How different from reissues?

Thanks!

 

[Godin15]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

I find its hard getting info on B.C Rich from forum members anywhere. That includes even newer models. I have been trying to hear from those who have the Eagle1 Arch top Onyx. No luck so far I understand where you are coming from.Type of wood used for the body some say Nato others say mahogany and others basswood. I sent an e-mail to B.C.Rich and a fella replied to go to Facebook because there is individuals that might be able to help me. What's up with that. The people that work for their company can't find that info out. Oh well good luck hope you are able to find out some info.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

IMO, there is a reason B.C. Rich is not well known...it is really sad that the company can't even help ya out.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

I find its hard getting info on B.C Rich from forum members anywhere. That includes even newer models. I have been trying to hear from those who have the Eagle1 Arch top Onyx. No luck so far I understand where you are coming from.Type of wood used for the body some say Nato others say mahogany and others basswood. I sent an e-mail to B.C.Rich and a fella replied to go to Facebook because there is individuals that might be able to help me. What's up with that. The people that work for their company can't find that info out. Oh well good luck hope you are able to find out some info.

I've heard that BC Rich was recently bought out (again), so it's possible that the new ownership may not have any idea about the specs of an import guitar from a few years ago. Regarding nato / mahogany / basswood, nato is a type of mahogany from Asia, so that would explain the confusion there. I haven't heard of BCR using basswood, so I'd put my money on nato for the Eagle 1 Onyx. In terms of your value question, I found a few for sale for around $300 so you seem to have found a decent but not amazing deal.

In your thread you asked how the Eagle 1 would compare to your Godin Session, and I can't say for sure because I haven't played either. That being said, I've found the majority of BCR's entry-level import guitars to be junk, while Godin tends to make an excellent guitar for the money. If you can't play the BCR, or if you need to sell your Godin you should probably pass. Otherwise you're the one that really needs to decide and you should play the BCR a bit more to really be sure.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

Yeah, the scoop on BC Rich's new management situation:
http://mmrmagazine.com/91-upfront/2...ces-licensing-agreement-of-bc-rich-brand.html

So we're quite a few degrees removed from the original days of Bernie Rico and co.

I don't have personal experience with the original BC Riches, but I do have the latest Gunslinger reissue, the Retro, and it is a super fun cheapo guitar. Basswood (which I'm guessing was not used in the original ones), nice raw chunky maple neck.

OP might be interested in the story of the ST-III, which was the predecessor to the Gunslinger:
http://www.bcrichjunkies.com/the-history-of-the-st-iii-by-david-williams.html
http://www.bcrichjunkies.com/the-history-of-the-st-iii-part-2-by-david-williams.html

 

[Aceman]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

An Old Gunslinger was a helluva a guitar. It was BC's answer to Charvel in the Strat shape category. Roughly but not quite same quality. IIRC….

That said - whatever. It's a one pup floyd shredstick. Gonna distort/delay it to oblivion. I could care less. If the new ones stay in tune, cool. Everything else is adjustable.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

As far as the old ones.. depends where it was made. The old, orig made in USA ones, as ACE said, were awesome! BC Rich's answer to Charvels, Kramers and all. BC did what most of the other 80s companies did and outsourced, outsourced from that outsource and on and on. eventually, the guitars for the most part were Shunt..

The new retro ones, albiet inexpensive, are pretty fun players. The foreign manufacturers have really come along. I recently had a couple of those and had a recent Grover Jackson made USA gunslinger. All were great players.

So if you are looking at an old one, and it was made in USA, its most likely a very good axe. Thin, fast neck, etc

 

[dystrust]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

As far as the old ones.. depends where it was made. The old, orig made in USA ones, as ACE said, were awesome! BC Rich's answer to Charvels, Kramers and all. BC did what most of the other 80s companies did and outsourced, outsourced from that outsource and on and on. eventually, the guitars for the most part were Shunt..

The new retro ones, albiet inexpensive, are pretty fun players. The foreign manufacturers have really come along. I recently had a couple of those and had a recent Grover Jackson made USA gunslinger. All were great players.

So if you are looking at an old one, and it was made in USA, its most likely a very good axe. Thin, fast neck, etc

Agreed on the on the recent Gunslinger reissue; an excellent guitar for the money and on par with the new Charvel Pro Mods in terms of playability. Regarding Ace's comment on the originals, the wood and fretwork is roughly on par with what Charvel was doing, but they used some cheap hardware. Pickups would've been DiMarzio for the most part, but I've seen a few with factory EMGs.

Regarding the other original BCRs, the story is bit more complicated. I've played quite a few of the originals going back to a '76/'77 and as late as '88/'89 and they REALLY vary by era. All of the ones I've played from the Neal Moser years (up through '85) were excellent guitars. The neck profile starts out as a medium soft-V / C in '76/'77; it's maybe a little bit thicker than a Gibson slim taper. Over the years it gradually thins and flattens so by '81 or so it's a medium-thin C that's a little thicker than Charvel, but not by much. They started doing imports in '83, and the MIJ neck-thru NJ (Nagoya Japan) guitars are excellent. I wouldn't say they're 100% in terms of quality, but an easy 75-80% of USA for a lot less. Pickups are Gotoh PAF / Super D clones, but the hardware is slightly cheap. The bolt-on guitars from this period aren't anything special IMO; the Charvel model series are far better guitars. Neal Moser left at the end of '85, and they moved the NJ series to Korea for '86. Thus began a general decline in quality for the USA line; I wouldn't say they're junk but definitely not as good as earlier. The necks also start getting very thin by '88/'89; we're talking almost Ibanez-wizard thin.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

Yeah, the scoop on BC Rich's new management situation:
http://mmrmagazine.com/91-upfront/2...ces-licensing-agreement-of-bc-rich-brand.html

So we're quite a few degrees removed from the original days of Bernie Rico and co.

I don't have personal experience with the original BC Riches, but I do have the latest Gunslinger reissue, the Retro, and it is a super fun cheapo guitar. Basswood (which I'm guessing was not used in the original ones), nice raw chunky maple neck.

OP might be interested in the story of the ST-III, which was the predecessor to the Gunslinger:
http://www.bcrichjunkies.com/the-history-of-the-st-iii-by-david-williams.html
http://www.bcrichjunkies.com/the-history-of-the-st-iii-part-2-by-david-williams.html

Well, this explains some of the sorta cool looking BC rich models that are being released and the full page ads they are running in the rags.. I STILL after all these years, want a warlock.. I really like the features (and the look) of the Morice. And even tho Im a fan of LITA, I dont want to look the fanboi with one tho.. I dunno. Guess it doesnt matter, Im broke anyhow.. I will say, if a GREAT deal comes up on one and I happen to be able to swing it at the time, its mine..

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

BloodRose, the Lita Ford sig is a *sweet* guitar. I tried one in a store once, and was struck by how solid it felt - no cheap import feel here. Good Seymour Duncan pickups, old school R logo, high build quality. If you can find one for a good price, go for it - it's probably the apex of Warlocks.

I played some of the 2015 Warlocks (the "Core" line) and quite liked them also. I especially liked the adjustable wraparound bridges - nice, solid feel. They looked good, too, some nice creative finishes. They were not the entry level stuff you see in big box stores. You can find the Core Warlocks on sale/clearance/etc. at online retailers.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

I'll tell you - circa 1985 NJ series…..one of the few I regret letting go. Amazing performers at their price point. Ultraviolet Warlock. Like the new reissues….

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

This thread is like B.C. Rich...can't answer the question! hahah Lot's of great info here however. I thought there was 1 or 2 guys on this forum who had old gunslingers.

Aceman - I have a mid- late 80s NJ Eagle bass...man, butter isn't creamy enough to describe how smooth that thing plays.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

I've had a couple and they're incredible guitars (Raw Maple Board Necks are some of the best ever IMHO and they usually come with a "B.C. Rich" Raw Brass Block Floyd that's a very fine OFR Copy and need not be replaced. Pics of my old one below. One of about 6 Guitars out of all that I've owned that I wish I had back.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

You're one of the one's I remember!

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Who can tell me about old BC Rich Gunslingers?

I had an old MIK Warlock 20 years ago. What a sweet player! I've played a new Gunslinger re-issue at a store and though it was a killer axe for a killer price. Should have bought it...

My Pro series spalted maple neck-though mahogany Ironbird (MIC) is super cool as well. Gorgeous finish ...plays like butter ...& extremely well made. I've always liked mid-priced (import) BC Rich's. Never played a US-made one.