B.C. Rich: Guitar Designs to Stand out from the Crowd
Today, the amazement at the extraordinarily shaped electric guitars which Bernardo Chavez Rico started to build in Los Angeles, California around 1969 is pretty much the same as back in the day. In the following years, B.C. Rich had developed an impressive following. Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, the Beach Boys, Black Sabbath, Danzig, Death, Dio, Elvis Presley Band, Eric Clapton, Guns & Roses, King Diamond, Lou Reed, Meat Loaf, Megadeth, Metallica, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Sepultura, Slayer, Slipknot, Steppenwolf, Suzi Quatro, Twisted Sister, UFO, Van Halen, W.A.S.P., Whitesnake, ZZ Top – this incomplete list of artists and endorsers, who over the years brought the brand to the stage, reads like a best-of rock and metal history compilation. At the same time, of course, also Pop and even Jazz musicians have always appreciated the tonal versatility of the fancy-looking B.C. Rich instruments.
High-quality Reissues of Iconic Models
51 years and an anniversary later, the most famous B.C. Rich guitar models are reissued as technically and visually re-designed versions. The new series were developed by master luthiers who previously worked for the company, and are built in a high-quality production in Korea. With innovative upgrades such as ultra slim contour necks, special finishes for fast playing, and ergonomically improved shapes, all models are optimized for contemporary shredding. In the specs, especially the tonewood tops and high-quality components make a positive impression. Already today, it can be said that the 2020 series rank among the best that was ever released under the name B.C. Rich.
Legacy Series
The Mockingbird from 1969 is the first and likely most popular B.C. Rich design. Today’s reissues are equipped with well-engineered features to satisfy various preferences: Humbuckers by DiMarzio or Fishman – two very different ways to control the electronics – Hardtail, Evertune, or Floyd Rose Tremolo bridge – Natural Transparent, Black Cherry, Matte Black, Transparent Red, or Cyan Blue finish.
In the 1970s, a custom instrument called Rich Bich aroused the gear lust of guitarists for the first time. Based on this design that was rich in strings, today’s models are the Rich B Perfect 10 with doubled higher strings, and the Rich B Double Neck with a combination of 12 and 6 strings. In both models, passive electronics with coil tap, phase reverse, and five varitone filter positions open up a surprisingly wide spectrum of sounds.
Extreme Series
Together with the styles of Heavy Metal music, also the B.C. Rich Designs became noticeably more aggressive in the early 1980s. This especially shows in the Warlock model, which was further developed into the even spikier and curvier Warbeast. The new interpretations of these shapes – just like all the Extreme Series instruments – feature simplified yet efficient electronics: two humbuckers, a 3-way selector switch, a volume pot with push-pull function for different voices. No bullshit, instead a kill switch for stuttering effects in Morse code.
The Ironbird and the Stealth design – both first introduced in the year 1983 – are great examples of timelessly modern guitar shapes. Also, these models show very well that an extreme design can absolutely be well-balanced and even comfortable to play when seated.
The JRV by B.C. Rich is a self-developed, dynamic deconstruction of a V-style guitar – like all models presented here, built with neck-through construction, and equipped with the same high-quality features. Be it in nasty matte black or more natural with a Spalted Maple tonewood top: In both variants, a glamorous Abalone binding accentuates the archetypical form from the headstock to the symmetric wings.
