TEST: BCRich Mockingbird Legacy ST

 How do you know that a guitar manufacturer has made it into the mainstream? By being able to buy the shape of its most successful model as a lighter! In fact, a friend recently gave me a lighter in the shape of a Mockingbird for my birthday, which puts the Mockingbird Legacy ST we were testing in a different light. From a corpus provocateur to a merchandiser who would have thought that. This test, among other things, is intended to show to what extent this surge in popularity is justified.

The concept of the Mockingbird Legacy ST

Times change. What caused an outcry in the guitar scene almost 50 years ago has now become a household name, especially in the hard'n'heavy camp. While in those days people were still tearing their mouths about models like Ironbird, Warlock and, above all, “The Beast”, today the provocative shapes of yesterday only manage to elicit a benevolent smile from most customers.

The Mockingbird model undoubtedly occupies a special position, as it was able to achieve by far the highest sales figures in the almost 5 decades of the company's history due to its comparatively moderate body shape. While this model has been available over time with both “Made In USA” in the high price range and “Made In China” in the lower price range, the Mockingbird Legacy ST model I am testing is made in Korea and has a retail price from €1,399 in the middle sector.

Although there is probably no “Guitar Hero” in the classic sense who has chosen a BC Rich model as his main instrument (you can forgive me if I don't put Kerry King in this league ;-), the popularity of this manufacturer is due to his With their polarizing appearance, they can undoubtedly be equated with the big names in the guild. In addition, it was BC Rich for the first time who really pulled off the challenge when it came to circuit variations and even made a Varitone circuit from Gibson seem like a gentle breeze. The extent to which this flexibility can be viewed as useful for the target group is another matter.

Structure and components used

The Mockingbird Legacy ST is delivered in a simple cardboard box, which doesn't do justice to an instrument of this quality level, especially since the protruding horn below the lower cutaway makes it impossible to transport in a standard bag. This brings us directly to one of the main problems with instruments with unusual body shapes: transport. In principle, you have three options for transporting the instrument appropriately. Option 1, you take a standard rectangular case without a cutout and live with the fact that the instrument does not have a firm hold. Option 2, you take the same suitcase and make a suitable cutout or several parts out of molded foam or foam. Option 3, you buy a BC Rich shaped bag or suitcase, the latter of which comes with a hefty surcharge. With the Thomann bundle offer, the matching molded case costs €331, which I would personally describe as very ambitious.

However, what comes out of the cardboard box leaves a very good impression at first glance. In this case, the Mockingbird Legacy ST comes in a transparent cherry red, among other color options. The paint applied is flawless and of the cleanest quality. Like almost all BC Rich instruments of this quality level, the Mockingbird Legacy ST also has a continuous neck, in this case a three-piece neck made of maple. The side parts are made of Nyatoh Palaquium, which is a mahogany wood, and are additionally set off with two reversible stripes towards the neck. As is well known, a continuous neck is characterized by its very strong sustain, which can be clearly heard from the first notes played.

In order to give the instrument a more elegant look, a top made of cloud maple was glued to the front and back, but this is too thin to interfere with the sound and is only for visual reasons. The neck, which according to the manufacturer is called “Shredzilla Ultra Slim Contour For Speed”, could also simply be called a slim D and has an Indian Ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets. The adjustment and playability are very good, only when going into the upper registers does the lower cutaway press a little on the fingers despite the softly milled transition to the body.

Grover Imperials 18:1 are used as tuning mechanisms, which are used in several BC Rich models. The tuners impress with their precise guidance and their subtle vintage design. The guitar also has a Floyd Rose vibrato system from the 1000 series, which was set up to float freely without additional stops on the spring block. Therefore, double bends should be avoided as a stylistic element. All hardware is chrome.

A quick look at the switching elements makes friends from the Fender or Gibson camp cringe, but it only seems a bit frightening at first glance. Despite the total of 8 switches and rotary controls, the electrical system inside the instrument is designed to be purely passive, even if the names of the American-made DiMarzio pickups D Activator Neck Humbucker - DP219BK and D Activator Bridge Humbucker Pickup - DP220FBK leave a different impression. So nothing is actively boosted here, something is just taken away through filters.

In addition to two volume controls for the two pickups and a master tone control, the instrument has a standard three-way switch for the pickups, three mini switches for individual coil tapping, or out of phase switching and the ominous Varitone switch, as already known from some Gibson models of the ES series should be.

The Mockingbird Legacy ST in practice

When you pick up the instrument for the first time, you once again see the incredible sustain that the continuous neck enables the instrument to achieve. This result seriously makes you wonder why instruments with screwed or glued necks are still being built these days. Not even the Floyd Rose vibrato system, which is known to be one of the sustain killers, is able to reduce the value of the instrument's outstanding vibration behavior.

When played while sitting, the user has to pay some tribute to the unusual body shape. The protruding wooden area above the neck pickup presses quite a bit into the rib area, which is a bit uncomfortable in the long run. Of course, you wonder whether this instrument will ever be played while sitting, but you should still be prepared for a few pressure points in the living room.

In complete contrast to its appearance, the Mockingbird Legacy ST impresses with an immense selection of sounds in the clean to slightly crunchy range. Both the mini switches and the Variotone control knob can only implement their tonal flexibility below lead or even high gain distortion levels. Above a certain gain range, these subtleties are completely lost in the distortion. The target group of the Hard'n'Heavy faction gets a huge selection of filtered sounds that they ultimately don't need at all. Well, it can't hurt, as long as you don't hit a mini switch in the heat of the moment.

It's unbelievable that this classic has been on the market for 50 years and still hasn't seriously left the metal sector. The sophisticated circuitry increases flexibility immensely, although the Varitone switch has a peculiarity that unfortunately cannot be avoided in terms of circuitry. In addition to the standard setting, all 4 other sound options have a massive drop in volume, which must be taken into account in the setting unless you want to use the serial circuit as a booster.

But the instrument can of course also sound exactly as most musicians expect it to, with the passive orientation of the pickups ensuring a less compressed and more open approach to the basic sound than, for example, the active market leaders from EMG or Fishman. The playability is very good, the response is accentuated, and the workmanship is exemplary. In addition, the instrument was optimally set at the factory and did not require any readjustment.

Conclusion

With the Korean-made Mockingbird Legacy ST, the US manufacturer offers a lot of sound quality at a moderate price. The instrument is excellently crafted, offers a high degree of independence and, thanks to the continuous neck, has outstanding vibration and sustain behavior.

Due to the extensive circuit options, you can get the maximum variety of sounds out of the instrument, which can show its strengths especially in the clean and crunch range.

If you want to draw attention to yourself both sonically and visually, you should definitely try this instrument out.

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Additional Informations:

B.C. Rich is a guitar company that has been in business since 1969. The company is known for its innovative designs, its association with heavy metal music, and its sometimes controversial reputation.

**History**

B.C. Rich was founded by Bernardo Chavez Rico in Los Angeles, California. Rico was a guitar player and repairman who was frustrated with the lack of variety in the guitar market. He wanted to create guitars that were both unique and high-quality.

Rico's first guitar, the Mockingbird, was introduced in 1969. The Mockingbird had a distinctive V-shaped body that was unlike any other guitar on the market. The guitar was an instant success, and it quickly became a popular choice among heavy metal guitarists.

In the years that followed, B.C. Rich introduced a number of other innovative guitars, including the Warlock, the Stealth, and the Ironbird. These guitars were all characterized by their bold designs and their high-performance features.

**Influence on Heavy Metal**

B.C. Rich guitars have been played by some of the biggest names in heavy metal music, including Dimebag Darrell, Kerry King, and Zakk Wylde. The company's guitars have become synonymous with the heavy metal genre, and they are often seen as a symbol of rebellion and non-conformity.

**Controversy**

B.C. Rich guitars have also been the subject of controversy. Some people believe that the company's guitars are too extreme and that they promote violence. In 1986, the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) labeled B.C. Rich guitars as one of the "filthy fifteen" albums that were considered to be harmful to children.

**Despite the controversy, B.C. Rich remains a popular guitar company. The company continues to produce innovative guitars that are designed to appeal to heavy metal guitarists and other musicians who are looking for a unique and high-quality instrument.**


* **Innovative designs**

B.C. Rich guitars are known for their distinctive and often outlandish designs. The company has been credited with popularizing the V-shaped guitar body, which has become a staple of heavy metal music.

* **High-quality construction**

B.C. Rich guitars are built with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The company uses a variety of woods, metals, and electronics to create guitars that are both durable and capable of producing high-quality sound.

* **High-performance features**

B.C. Rich guitars are designed to be high-performance instruments. The company offers a wide range of options, including active pickups, Floyd Rose tremolos, and other features that are popular with heavy metal guitarists.

* **Association with heavy metal music**

B.C. Rich guitars are closely associated with heavy metal music. The company has been a popular choice among heavy metal guitarists for decades, and its guitars have become a symbol of the genre.

**Conclusion**

B.C. Rich is a unique and innovative guitar company that has played a significant role in the development of heavy metal music. The company's guitars are known for their bold designs, high-quality construction, and high-performance features.

**B.C. Rich: The People Behind the Guitars**

B.C. Rich is a guitar company that has been in business since 1969. The company is known for its innovative designs, its association with heavy metal music, and its sometimes controversial reputation.

The people behind B.C. Rich are a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about guitars and music. They come from all walks of life, but they are all united by their shared love of creating unique and high-quality instruments.

**The Founder**

In 1969, Rico founded B.C. Rich Guitars. The company's first guitar, the Mockingbird, was an instant success. The Mockingbird had a distinctive V-shaped body that was unlike any other guitar on the market.

Rico continued to lead B.C. Rich until his death in 2004. He was a visionary leader who helped to shape the company into the iconic brand that it is today.

**The Employees**

B.C. Rich employs a team of talented individuals who are passionate about guitars and music. The company's employees come from all walks of life, but they are all united by their shared love of creating unique and high-quality instruments.

The company's employees include:

* **Guitar designers** who create new and innovative guitar models.
* **Guitar builders** who hand-craft B.C. Rich guitars using high-quality materials and craftsmanship.
* **Sales and marketing professionals** who promote B.C. Rich guitars to musicians and music lovers around the world.

B.C. Rich employees are committed to creating the best possible guitars for musicians of all levels. They are passionate about their work, and they are always looking for ways to improve the company's products and services.

**The Culture**

B.C. Rich has a unique and vibrant culture that is based on creativity, innovation, and passion. The company's employees are encouraged to be themselves and to express their individuality.

B.C. Rich is a company that is always looking for new and innovative ways to create guitars. The company's employees are passionate about their work, and they are always looking for ways to improve the company's products and services.

**Conclusion**

B.C. Rich is a company that is built on the passion of its people. The company's employees are committed to creating the best possible guitars for musicians of all levels. They are passionate about their work, and they are always looking for ways to improve the company's products and services.