Today, B.C. Rich is virtually synonymous with outlandish pointy metal guitars. The brand’s origins, however, are quite far removed from the popular image it took on beginning in the 1980s. Let’s take a look at how B.C. Rich evolved and how the innovations and craftsmanship of its early history laid the groundwork for its popular image.
BC Rich Serial Number need year. Posted by Anonymous on Sun, - 00:07. I have a BC Rich JR-V Flying V, serial number 11111654, I need the year of this guitar please. This guys is a BC Rico and mine is a rich with NJ series under it. Also the serial numbers are the back are different. Mine has a silver stick that has been clear coated over with R83XXXX. Jun 2, 2008 - I know that for the early BC Rich bolt-ons, you need to look for the 'TM' on the headstock to identify Class Axe guitars. Not have the 'TM', it does have 'Made in USA' on the headstock, and it has a BXXXX serial number.
Beginnings
When Bernardo Chavez Rico started working in his father’s East Los Angeles guitar shop in the mid-1950s, he specialized in flamenco guitars. Eventually he branched out into repairing and building steel-string acoustics and banjos as folk music gained popularity in the '60s. Rico began making electric guitars and basses in 1969, based on the Gibson Les Paul and the EB-3 bass, but very few of these were finished and even fewer survive today (before this, Rico had probably built about 300 acoustics).
Bc rich mockingbird serial number question Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by mploesch, Aug 13, 2011. I am also the holder of the Unofficial B.C.Rich serial number archive,so if anyone has a BC Rich guitar or bass they would kindly allow me to add to the Archive,please send me a seperate email for each instrument,including pictures of the instrument and it's serial number/letters to.
Seagull
Rico’s earliest original design for a solid-body electric was the single-cutaway Seagull in 1972. A production model arrived in 1974. Although the body design was based on a toilet seat, the Seagull scored higher for looks than ergonomics, due to two sharp points—one about halfway down the bass side and another where the cutaway horn jutted out at a 90-degree angle—that were almost guaranteed to dig into some part of the player, whether standing up or sitting down.
As local luthier Neal Moser put it, 'Only a flamenco acoustic guitar player would design an electric guitar with a point on the top that stuck you in the chest and a point on the bottom that stuck you in the leg.' The exceedingly rare Seagull II omitted the point on the bass side. This model, and the even rarer “pointless” Seagull, eventually evolved into the Eagle. A Seagull Junior was also produced, featuring an unbound rosewood fretboard and simplified electronics.
40th anniversary recreation of an original Seagull.
The Seagull was notable at the time for its neck-through construction, which Rico helped to pioneer. He also introduced the innovative heelless neck joint that would become a hallmark of many B.C. Rich guitars. Rico’s first few Seagulls were wired like Les Pauls, but he soon enlisted the help of Moser, who was becoming well known for his custom electronics. Moser rewired Rico’s existing Seagulls, then began wiring new builds according to his own electronic design, which included an active preamp, Varitone, phase switch, and coil taps, besides master volume and tone controls. This design was standard on the Seagull, Mockingbird, and Eagle. Moser expanded it when he designed the Bich.
Until 1975, the Seagull used Gibson humbuckers, which had to be taken apart and rewired to enable coil splitting and phasing. When Gibson objected to this arrangement, B.C. Rich switched to Guild humbuckers, but because these were also two-conductor pickups, they presented the same technical obstacle. In 1974, Rico reached a deal with DiMarzio to supply the brand with four-conductor humbuckers, which offered a hotter, more modern sound than the Guilds and were more compatible with Moser’s electronic design. DiMarzios were standard on B.C. Rich guitars until 1986, when the company began designing its own pickups.
Mockingbird
The mid-'70s brought the debut of The Mockingbird, designed by Johnny “Go-Go” Kallas. Although it featured the same neck-through construction and wiring as the Seagull, the Mockingbird made a bolder visual statement, and it remains one of B.C. Rich’s most iconic guitars.
While the Mockingbird features sharper points than the Seagull, it at least directs them away from the player. Bernie Rico modified the design in 1978, lengthening the cutaway horn on the treble side to improve balance. Popularized throughout its long production run by players such as Joe Perry, Slash, and Kerry King, the Mockingbird marks an important development in B.C. Rich’s transformation from esoteric boutique brand to heavy metal mainstay.
Eagle
The less stabby successor to the Seagull, the Eagle rounded out B.C. Rich’s trio of 1970s avian-named models when it appeared in in 1976. The body shape closely resembled that of the Seagull II, but with a more Strat-like upper horn. The Eagle soon replaced the Seagull, and, like the Mockingbird, it remains in production today.
Although B.C. Rich was not technically a custom shop at this time, all of their guitars were entirely handmade in Rico’s California shop or a factory in Tijuana, Mexico where specifications could be modified in response to player requests. Not only were the bodies and necks hand-carved, but the electronics were handmade as well. The level of craftsmanship that went into these early models was remarkable, but it came with a steep price tag for the time (a suggested retail price of $999) and limited availability.
Bich
Designed by Neal Moser, the 10-string Bich is a throwback to his earliest foray into guitar building, when he modified a six-string Yamaha acoustic to a twelve-string with his father’s help in 1964. The Bich adds unison D and G strings and octave B and E strings strung in the opposite direction from the other six strings, with the additional tuners arranged along a diagonal cut below the bridge. The body shape eventually changed slightly, featuring a shallower cut where these tuners attached to allow for a Kahler tremolo. The Bich also added a second preamp to Moser’s already complex electronics.
A custom doubleneck bass version of the Bich body shape.
And Then…
In 1980, B.C. Rich began offering bolt-on neck versions of the three models currently in production: Son of a Rich (a bolt-on Bich), the Nighthawk (a bolt-on Eagle), and the Phoenix (a bolt-on Mockingbird). They also began introducing a Strat-like tremolo as an option on the Eagle II, Mockingbird II, and Warlock II in 1982. Previously, hardtail bridges had been standard on all models. Kahler tremolos followed in 1983, on both U.S.-made models and the import NJ series. These were replaced by Floyd Rose copies on the NJ series after Class Axe took control of B.C. Rich’s import business in 1986.
The introduction of the Warlock in 1981 marked the beginning of B.C. Rich’s rise to iconic status in heavy metal. Its looks owe more to the Bich than to the Seagull, Eagle, or Mockingbird, and it foregoes the graceful curves of earlier models in favor of aggressive angles. The confluence of B.C. Rich’s far-out designs and the emerging hair metal culture of the late '70s and early '80s helped cement the brand’s place in the market, with unmistakable designs, player endorsements, and appearances by several B.C. Rich guitars in the movie This Is Spinal Tap. New models proliferated during this period: the Warlock and the Wave in 1981; the Stealth, the Ironbird, and the Widow in 1983; and the Strat-shaped ST in 1985.
Although Rico had begun producing import guitars in Japan as early as 1978 under the 'B.C. Rico' name, these were predominantly acoustics until the early 1980s. Eventually they were rebranded as the B.C. Rich NJ series in 1983 (with the “NJ” standing for “Nagoya, Japan”). The B.C. Rico imports that arrived stateside in 1981 and 1982—Mockingbirds, Waves, Seagull IIs, and Eagles—were extremely high quality.
The Japanese models served several purposes. They allowed B.C. Rich to increase production volume and offer lower-cost versions of its high-end handcrafted models to students and other players on a budget. And getting into the import business was partly a defensive move, as Aria copies of B.C. Rich designs began to hit the market. In addition to more affordable bolt-on versions of B.C. Rich’s more distinctive designs, the NJ series also included a semi-hollow jazz guitar. Not surprisingly (in light of the brand’s emerging image) this model sold poorly and did not last long.
The 1980s also saw major changes in the management of the company, with the departure of Moser and vice president Mal Stich in the middle of the decade, then of Rico himself in 1989 after he gradually turned over complete control of the company to New Jersey-based Class Axe. Quality control was notoriously unreliable during the Class Axe era (the late 1980s and early 1990s), with plywood construction and shoddy workmanship damaging B.C. Rich’s once-sterling reputation. Hoping to right these wrongs, Rico bought the company back in 1993 and worked to restore the quality and image of the brand until his death in 1999.
Under the current ownership of Hanser Music Group, B.C. Rich has revived its custom shop, in addition to offering a wide variety of imported lower-cost models.
B.C. Rich
Oops, looks like you forgot something. Please check the fields highlighted in red.
We understand the importance of online privacy and are committed to complying with the EU General Data Protection Regulation. To reflect our commitment, we updated our terms and conditions. By continuing to use Reverb, you agree to these updates, and to our cookie policy. Learn More
email the serial number and they can tell you, that's how Ifound out.
What model is your bc rich guitar serial?Is a Bc rich good?
I own a BC Rich and I feel it is a good guitar. It has a strong body and neck and I play heavy metal on it. It is a good guitar Read More
Is the bc rich a good guitar?
definitely. I bought a BC Rich Avenge SOB; never looked back. Read More
What amp is good for a bc rich guitar?
It's all about personal preference. Every amp sounds different. Even the same model. Read More
Are bc rich guitar worth buying?
the mockingbird model is pretty cool. i personally am not into them but a lot of metal players like them. and the craftsmanship is fine Read More
What guitar is better schecter or bc rich?
Overall, Schecter makes much higher quality guitars than BC Rich. Read More
What is the best type of flying v guitar?What kind of guitar did cc deville play?What is a good electric ryhthm guitar?
A cheap LTD or BC Rich guitar, all depends on what you play and your guitar gods use Read More
What kind of guitar does cannibal corpse use?Will a Jackson guitar neck fit a bc rich warlock?How much is a BC rich guitar great condition worth?
like any other item you're considering selling it depends on the series and shape of the BC Rich Read More
What guitar is better bc rich Draco or the beast wmd sob?What kind of guitar does Kerry King play?
three kinds.. BC Rich Warlocks (6 and 7 string) , BC Rich Beast V's and BC Rich V's hes been endorsed by BC Rich forever, stay far away from the ones that don't have EMG's and no kahlers they aren't true Kerry King guitars. Read More
What guitar does slash play?
BC Rich mockingbirds BC Rich Warlocks Gibson custom made les pauls those are the three main if you focus on parts of his career Read More
How long is an electric guitar?
depends on the guitar, BC Rich guitars have 24 inch necks, a wild guess 3 to 4 feet standing up. Read More
What is a better guitar Jackson JS30 dinky or BC Rich Kerry king v?
Depends on your styling. I personally DO NOT like BC Rich guitars and love the way a Jackson plays. Every BC I have heard or played has bad intonation that cant be dialed in with the stock bridge and is stiff on play with breakup on resonance. However, the Jackson JS30, whether Dinky, Flying V or RR model is really muddy from the start and suffers from the same breakup on resonation. Replace the PUPS… Read More
Will an electric guitar fit in a aucoustic case?
many Fender and Gibson guitars will , but not say a Flying V , Dean or BC Rich guitar with wild shapes. I've bought a lot of cases in my life. try it before if you can. When I was after a BC Rich Beast I tried out a case in the shop with one of their display models of a guitar similar to it. As long as you got money you're important. Read More
What kind of guitar does jinxx use?
He use's a Bc Rich Bich Pro X I've got one :D , also he has brought out a new one but it's not that nice :( and I think he use's a Bc Rich Eagle Pro X. Read More
Which was Slash's first BC rich electric guitar?
either a warlock or a mockingbird. im very sure its a warlock first. Read More
Is the bc rich mockingbird a good guitar?
depends on the series of it, dont expect much out of a bronze series one for example. Read More
Does a Floyd rose tremolo bridge fit on a B.C. rich warlock?
if its routed for (cut for) it absolutely, i put an original floyd rose which is the higher end model in a bc rich that had a licensed one , if the guitar doesnt have a floyd rose in it like just a normal bridge you'll have to do some routing. Read More
Whats a better guitar a BC Rich Warlock or a Dean Razorback?
B.C Rich all the way m/ The Warlock would be a way better choice. I love mine. Read More
What is the value of bc rich ironbird platinum series guitar?
based on following ebay auctions, I see them going for as low as 200$ and as high as 500-600$. It depends on the condition of the guitar, the age of the guitar and if you include a case or not. Read More
How do I find when and where my BC Rich Warlock guitar was made Serial starts with G01?
Interesting and very difficult to put into x amount of letters. Read More
Is there a guitar with 9 strings?
absolutely, Agile is one company that makes them , Halo and BC Rich make 10 strings and so forth Read More
What electric guitar is not a model by fender?
There are many.. Ibanez, Rickenbacker, Yamaha, Gibson, Washburn, BC Rich, Steinberger, to name a few, but there are guitars made to look similar to the classic fender stratocaster like the Yamaha Pacifica, the Squire (made by Fender) and the Torch Vintage. Read More
Bc Rich Serial Number Identification CodeWhat are the top guitar manufactures?
Gibson. Fender, Ibanez, BC Rich, Yamaha, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Squier and there are lots more but these are pretty much the best Read More
What is the best guitar for heavy metal and death metal?
Any BC rich guitar, they are purposely sculpted for high output and drop tunings. another good idea is Jackson guitars ; maybe a dinky. Good Luck Read More
Can you trade a bc rich warlock revenge for Jackson rhoads at guitar center?
It may depend on where your GC is located, but Guitar Center definitely buys used gear or you can even use it as a trade towards something else. Read More
Date My Bc RichWhat case will fit a BC Rich Warlock?
custom fitted hardshell cases or cases off of their official site, but when I got mine I got a gigbag meant for a bass guitar case because the necks bigger than an average guitar . Read More
What is better a bc rich or epiphone guitar?
its a matter of taste, BC Rich is more metal, Epiphone is more traditional rock. My friend payed 700 or 800 for a les paul epiphone and its nowhere near as good as my warlock. all my friends like the sound and lightness of my warlock a lot more. All different people from blues and alternative to thrash metal would rather the warlock. all bc rich guitars have 24 frets meaning more solo possibilities the… Read More
Is a there a special guitar strap that you must use for a Washburn guitar?
doubt it , they're all universal , I mean your guitar MIGHT have strap locks on it to lock the strap on the guitar so it doesn't drop during shows. But besides that I've owned like 17 guitars and I've had the same BC Rich strap from ESP to Epiphone Read More
What guitar should you buy you have 600 pounds and have been looking at the bc rich mockingbird st any suggestions would be helpful cheers?If you have 300 and play heavy metal on guitar which guitar whold work best?Bc Rich Serial Number Identification Check
me personally I'd get another BC Rich Warlock or something used off of craigslist for 300 dollars. My best metal guitar was a 7 string that some guy custom made for 250 minus the repairs i had to do. Read More
Welcome to the ULTIMATE battle for domination in War of Empires – The Mist. Join your friends, form clans of alliances, and get ready to build your own age! Download Free War of Empires - The Mist Mod Unlock All - Download Unlimited Apk For Android. War of Empires - The Mist Mod Unlock All - Direct Download. Download game war of empires mod apk offline.
What the best kind of bass to play metal?
Ibanez, BC Rich, ESP/Ltd and Schecter are all respectable guitar company's, with good cost to sound ratio and great for metal. Read More
What is a good cheap heavy metal guitar with locking tremolo?
BC Rich usually , I got a used Bich guitar for 200$ with a licensed Floyd rose locking tremolo. But nothing wrong with Ibanez Jackson Kramer or LTD, as long as it has EMG's and its neckthrough you won't be able to put it down. my pick though shape and sound is a BC Rich Warlock Deluxe , cheaper than a standard Gibson Les Paul and it will blow them out of the water. Read More
What is a Good Begginer BC Rich Guitar?
any honestly, pick out a shape you love and keep it in tune and practice till your fingers bleed. I like warlocks myself but everyones taste is different. Read More
Is the BC rich mockingbird good please rate out of 50 is it cheap?
theres many series of this guitar , so it can be as cheap as 200$ Canadian to much higher than that depending on whats on it and stuff. Read More
Bc Rich Serial Number IdentificationWhat does bc stand for in bc rich?
bernando chavez , the founder of the company Read More
What year of manufacture and what model would an SER 552638 BC Miroku be?What year was the atom proposed?
The first atomic model was proposed by the Greek philosopher Democritus in 442 BC. Read More
Can you remove the paint on a bc rich warlock electric guitar?
paint thinner or a whole lot of sanding when re-painting the guitar and its perfect make sure to use wood finish like polyurethane. Read the warning labels on it as well. lots of videos on youtube to help with it Read More
What are the BC Lions players salaries?
The pay is around $45,000 a year. Yes, they are not that rich, and that is a salary that any joe blow can make Read More
What is the best rythem guitar?
anything with EMG HZ or active EMG's is what me or my friends would recommend, I personally play rhythm on my low end BC Rich Warlock in C# with very heavy strings. Read More
Which brand of guitar is the best to play Slipknot?
I'd say that a BC Rich would be best because Mick Thompson uses one, or you could have a Fender Telecaster which James Root uses sometimes. Read More
Is there a difference between a platinum series bc rich guitar and a standard series one are they any better?
get as much information as possible on them, my money as BC Rich makes tons of series is on the standard series. I loved my bronze series one which is essentially in the same class as platinum series. look at the bridge, pickups and tuners or let youtube help you decide. Every players different but if I got a guitar with active pickups locking tuners and a whammy bar it doesn't matter whats on the… Read More
What is the best electric guitar for beginners?
I loved my BC Rich Warlock , plays just about anything so don't let the shape intimidate you, can do more solos than a regular les paul, its very comfortable when you sit down and play it. they cost about 100 (used) to about 300 (new) and up but BC Rich I've had a very good experience with so far. Read More
How do you change the strings of a BC Rich revenge warlock guitar?
You have to cut the little ends off, undo the 2 screws at the bridge place the string in the little box area and tighten the heck out of the 2 screws Read More
Which 5 string bass is better?
BC Rich has some good ones but im anti-signature bass but disturbeds signature bass through an ordinary guitar cable and a microcube amp blew me away. Read More
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |