TEST: BCRich Beast

 Rock music has always been polarizing. When, as a young boy, I was enthusiastically watching a live broadcast of a Status Quo concert on TV, my grandfather happened to come in, watch what was going on on the screen for a short time and leave the room shaking his head with the words “these people must be sick”. .

If ever a name was fully associated with the term “metal”, it is B.C.Rich, due to the sometimes bizarre shapes of their instruments. No other manufacturer of series models has ever shown this continuity when it comes to establishing visually exalted body shapes like the US-based company of founder Bernardo Chavez Rico.

The present test model “Beast” finally shoots the bird in terms of body shape. Because of its unusual shape, whoever picks up this instrument will call out all the available exclamations, from “For God's sake” to “Wow, cool eh,” and thus may conjure up situations similar to those at the time Scene with my grandfather. If you've always wondered what happens when you cross a tree trunk with an alien from the TV series "Babylon 5", here's the result! ;-)


Construction:

The special feature of the Beast, which is made in China, is the continuous neck, which is made up of three strips of maple. The stripes run through to the oversized headstock, here only 2 more strips were glued to the sides to create the look. The fingerboard is made of ebony and has 24 frets. Unexpectedly, the instrument was fitted with relatively flat fretwire. In terms of width, it is already in the jumbo range, but the fret height is moderate to flat for a guitar that is clearly in the metal category. Small pearloid diamonds are used as fingerboard inlays. Two body halves made of Nato, a mahogany subspecies, were glued to the neck to complete the body. The scale length of the instrument is 25 ½” (long scale length).


All edges have been rounded off, giving the huge body surprisingly comfortable handling. The instrument is cleanly painted in black (company name Onyx) and has a structured top finish, which, however, will have no effect on the sound due to its wafer-thin design.

In addition to the expansive body design, the “evil headstock” is also a visual eye-catcher. Everyone can decide for themselves whether some horned devil was the inspiration for the design; the inclined atheist can also use the bulges as beverage can holders.


All hardware is also designed in black. 6 tuners bend the string guide on the headstock quite a bit to the right or left, so that the tuning ability has suffered somewhat in favor of the appearance. When using the locking saddle of the licensed Floyd Rose system, this problem is put into perspective again; the uniformity of the control path only suffers when the system is loosened. A master volume and a master tone control manage the sound signal.


Practice:

The asymmetrical body has a number of pitfalls in practice. Even with the best will in the world, I couldn't find a single guitar stand in which you could park the instrument. In fact, you can only hang it on the wall or place it in a foam-covered multi-stand, which means it's only a matter of time before the rear edges of the body show the first scratches.

When played dry, the advantages of a continuous neck combined with a high proportion of wood mass become apparent. The instrument has above-average sustain, especially since a Floyd Rose vibrato always uses up a certain amount of vibration energy. The tones are nice and long with a balanced amplitude and this over the entire grip area. I couldn't detect any dead spots or even total collapses due to resonance absorption.

The oversized body sits surprisingly ergonomically on the body, only the upper “horn” constantly digs into the sternum area when sitting due to the pointed edges. Well, who plays a guitar like this sitting down and has also ever had a “Flying V” on their knees? ;-)

Sent through a clean amp, the two in-house humbuckers come across as quite high-mid-heavy. When connected in parallel, the instrument has a beautiful, clear sound that confidently reproduces arpeggios and slightly funky riffs. The neck pickup doesn't entirely convince me personally, which is probably due to its placement. I am of the opinion that, due to their design, instruments with 24 frets cannot achieve the voluminous sound of a design with 22 frets. If you don't put the neck pickup under the 24th fret but further towards the bridge, I think it loses its character. Mind you, this is a purely subjective opinion and cannot be generalized.

In distorted mode, the Beast finds the area for which it was built. The basic nasal sound of the pickups can score significantly more here due to their high assertiveness, although for me personally there is a bit too much "noodle" in the upper frequencies. The bridge pickup, although much more suitable for this sound than the neck pickup, also has a noticeable saw. The playability is impeccable, and due to the low fret wire, the appropriate string position can be adjusted if necessary.


Conclusion:

If so, then already! In addition to politics, show business is THE area where extensive Punch and Judy shows are a must. Nobody would ever expect an instrument with such a look in pop, blues or even jazz, but in metal there is no equal in terms of looks. 50 percent of the audience will be repulsed by such a guitar, 50 percent will think it's great, and 100 percent of people will talk about you. Therefore, class goal achieved!

Equipped with a lot of light and little shadow, the Beast definitely has its audience and anyone who, like me, would swap the pickups gets an official “metal board” for their stage performance.

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Additional Informations:

BC Rich is an American brand of guitars and bass guitars renowned for its distinctive and innovative designs. The story of BC Rich begins in the late 1960s when Bernardo Chavez Rico, a skilled luthier and musician, founded the company. The Rico family had a background in flamenco guitar making, which influenced the early designs of BC Rich guitars.

Bernardo Chavez Rico initially started modifying and customizing guitars in the 1960s before venturing into original designs. BC Rich gained prominence in the 1970s with its unique body shapes, which were quite different from the traditional guitar designs of the era. The most notable models introduced during this period were the Seagull, Mockingbird, and Eagle. These models featured innovative designs and were quickly adopted by prominent musicians, giving the brand significant exposure and credibility in the music industry.

One of the most iconic models, the Warlock, was introduced in the early 1980s. With its aggressive, angular shape, the Warlock became synonymous with the heavy metal music scene and was popularized by artists like Slash of Guns N' Roses and Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe. The Warlock's design exemplified BC Rich's commitment to creating guitars that stood out both visually and in terms of performance.

BC Rich guitars are known for their high-quality craftsmanship. The company initially focused on handmade, custom instruments, which appealed to professional musicians. These guitars often featured exotic woods, intricate inlays, and top-of-the-line hardware. As the company grew, BC Rich started producing more affordable models through overseas manufacturing, making their distinctive guitars accessible to a broader range of musicians.

Throughout its history, BC Rich has been innovative not only in design but also in functionality. The company was among the first to incorporate active electronics into their guitars. Models like the Bich introduced onboard preamps and intricate wiring options, allowing for a wider range of tones and sounds, which was particularly appealing to progressive and heavy metal guitarists.

BC Rich has experienced various changes in ownership and management over the years, which has led to shifts in production quality and brand focus. Despite these changes, the brand has retained a loyal following among musicians who value its unique designs and rich history in guitar craftsmanship.

In recent years, BC Rich has attempted to balance its heritage with modern guitar trends. The company continues to produce both high-end custom models and more affordable production guitars, catering to both professional musicians and hobbyists. BC Rich's influence can be seen in the broader guitar industry, where unconventional designs and versatile electronics have become more mainstream.

In summary, BC Rich is a pivotal brand in the guitar industry, known for its bold designs, innovative features, and quality craftsmanship. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to its current status, BC Rich has consistently pushed the boundaries of guitar design and has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of iconic guitar brands.

Providing a detailed article on the prices of individual BC Rich guitar models is challenging due to several factors. Firstly, the prices of BC Rich guitars can vary significantly based on the model, year of manufacture, place of purchase, and whether the guitar is new, used, or a vintage collectible. Additionally, BC Rich has produced a wide range of models over the years, each with different versions and specifications, further complicating a comprehensive pricing overview.

However, I can provide a general guide to the pricing tiers and factors that influence the cost of BC Rich guitars:

### Entry-Level Models
1. **Bronze Series**: These are the most affordable BC Rich guitars, aimed at beginners and budget-conscious players. Prices typically range from $200 to $400.
2. **Revenge Series**: Slightly higher in quality than the Bronze series, these models offer better hardware and finishes, with prices usually between $300 and $500.

### Mid-Range Models
1. **Platinum Series**: Targeting intermediate players, these guitars offer better craftsmanship and materials than entry-level models. Prices generally range from $500 to $800.
2. **NJ Series**: Known for better quality control and features, the NJ series guitars are priced between $600 and $1,000.

### High-End Models
1. **USA Handcrafted Series**: These are premium guitars, made in the USA with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Prices can range from $2,000 to over $4,000.
2. **Custom Shop Models**: These are top-of-the-line instruments, often custom-built to a player's specifications. Prices vary widely but can exceed $5,000 for highly customized pieces.

### Collectible and Vintage Models
- Vintage BC Rich guitars, especially those from the 1970s and 1980s, can be highly sought after. Models like the original Mockingbird, Eagle, and Seagull can fetch prices well over $3,000, depending on their condition and rarity.
- Limited edition and signature models, like those used by famous musicians, can also command high prices.

### Factors Influencing Price
- **Condition**: New guitars are typically more expensive than used ones. However, vintage guitars in excellent condition can be more valuable.
- **Rarity**: Limited edition models or those no longer in production can be more expensive.
- **Custom Features**: Custom inlays, finishes, and hardware can increase the price.
- **Place of Purchase**: Prices can vary based on the retailer, geographic location, and availability.

### Where to Buy
- **Authorized Dealers**: Buying new guitars from authorized dealers ensures authenticity and a manufacturer's warranty.
- **Online Retailers**: Websites like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and Reverb offer a wide range of BC Rich guitars, including used and vintage models.
- **Second-Hand Markets**: Platforms like eBay and local classifieds can be sources for used or vintage BC Rich guitars but require careful evaluation for authenticity and condition.

### Conclusion
BC Rich guitars span a wide price range, catering to different levels of guitar players from beginners to professionals. The brand is known for its unique designs and quality, and the prices reflect the craftsmanship and features of each model. As with any guitar purchase, it's essential to consider the player's needs, budget, and the specific characteristics of the model before making a decision.