[zimbloth]

Grand Prize Winner:

This hideous BC Rich import with "Invisi-Bolt Technology!"

[Dennis Miller]

I swear, not to be negative, but this has to be the cheapest, most tacky thing I've ever seen. BC Rich imports are a slap in the face to guitar players everywhere, and an insult to our intelligence.

In a time when companies like ESP, Jackson, Washburn, Parker, etc can offer extremely well made imports, featuring high end features (USA Duncans or EMGs, sperzel locking tuners, quality woods like Mahogany, ebony fretboards, neck-thru bodies, etc) and still only charge in the ~$500-700 range...here comes BC Rich. Here they come with their "agathis", "chesswood" and "nato" bodies, atrocious propietary "sealed tuners" and "BDSM" pickups, plastic nuts, cheap finishes, hideous "InvisiBolt" gimmicks, ridiculous body shapes, etc....and on top of that....THEY CHARGE THE SAME OR MORE than ESP, Schecter, Parker, etc.

I don't even understand how this company post-Rico family even stays in business. They don't offer ONE worthwhile product in their entire lineup. Who is playing these? This company doesnt listen to its customers, no one endorses these guys anymore, they offer overpriced plywood junk, and yet how do they exist?

In conclusion, although I don't really own imports anymore, products like this from BC Rich make me admire companies like ESP, Washburn, Parker, Schecter, Jackson and so on who offer high quality guitars at fair prices. Never before in history have such high quality instruments been available at such a low price. Remember the LTDs and Schecters being put out only 5 years ago? Clunky and mediocre. Now both ESP and Schecter are putting out great products. Why? They strived to improve and listened to their customers demands. Compare a Hellrasier or Blackjack to an A7 or C7. No comparison.

[/Dennis Miller]

[The Dark Wolf]

I haven't played any, so I can't comment. Only BC Rich's I've player have been older ones (and I never liked 'em).

Agree with you on the import quality improving, though, Nick.

[sevenstringdeath]

ill have to agree with you there, i dont see anything with b.c. rich.
esp is the best quality guitar for the money imo however. beautiful guitars, lots of neckthrus i just dont like the thickness of their necks, but they have a great attention to detail.

[metalfiend666]

I'm guessing the neck's bolted through the pickup routes? It's got an advantage of better heel access, but how do you shim it? If you're making the neck that long it might as well be a neck-through.

[NickCormier]

It definately looks cool though, if it wasnt shaped like the gay headstock, and if it was painted up to the neck joint itself.. Seems like it would really give that neckthru feel, on a bolt on guitar. But yea, import BCR's usually are horrible for quality

[D-EJ915]

The classic ones are really nice, I want to play one of the new archtop mockingbirds too.

[zimbloth]

What new Archtop model? I'm sure their USA models are still nice (eventho theyre $4000), I'm talking solely about how poorly made the imports are. The fretwork is so bad on them, you can literally slice your hand if you slide your hand on the side of the neck. I also love their idea to use "woods" like Agathis which are usually only found on $99 guitars made in Zimbabwe on their $600 models.

[D-EJ915]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

What new Archtop model? I'm sure their USA models are still nice (eventho theyre $4000), I'm talking solely about how poorly made the imports are. The fretwork is so bad on them, you can literally slice your hand if you slide your hand on the side of the neck. I also love their idea to use "woods" like Agathis which are usually only found on $99 guitars made in Zimbabwe on their $600 models.

I've never played a classic which had bad fretwork, for the record. I actually played a cheapo $300 bich at GC one time and was surprised at how it played really nicely and sounded pretty good. I guess it's just luck of the draw.

Anyway: http://www.mockspecial.com/

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by D-EJ915

I've never played a classic which had bad fretwork, for the record. I actually played a cheapo $300 bich at GC one time and was surprised at how it played really nicely and sounded pretty good. I guess it's just luck of the draw.

Anyway: http://www.mockspecial.com/

Eh. Looks okay. Emphasis on looks. I'm sure its horrible like the rest of them. Splendid "Rockfield pickups"! Lovely faux ebony too. "Nato" body wood. Im sure the usual plastic nuts and crap hardware too. The sad part is, I bet they'll charge above what ESPs cost for most of their higher end LTDs.

I worked at a BC Rich dealer for quite some time, their imports' quality is horrendeous compared to most of the other big names.

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

THEIR HIGH QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP LEFT THE COMPANY & WENT WITH NEAL MOSER & HIS ASSISTANTS SAL & MAL.

I HAVEN'T PLAYED A BC RICH POST 1985 THAT COULD BE DEEMED AS AN AWESOME GUITAR. THE LATE 70' & EARLY 80'S MODELS ARE STILL THE NICEST OF QUALITY INSTRUMENTS FROM THAT ERA.

I WAS NEAL'S HOUSE A YEAR & A HALF AGO & WAS FORTUNATE TO PLAY SOME INSTRUMENTS HE HAS FROM THAT ERA, ALONG WITH OTHER STUFF HE CURRENTLY PRODUCES, & THE QUALITY FROM HIS HANDS ON CRAFTSMANSHIP AND/OR SUPERVISION IS NIGHT & DAY COMPARED TO THE TRASH THAT BC RICH IS CURRENTLY PRODUCING.