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History of: BC Rich Guitars
by Todd Masters
BC Rich Guitars are an organization specialising in angular and extreme electric guitar shapes best suited for rock, hard rock and heavy metal bands. Bernardo Chavez Rico was a doubtful character to build distinctive electric guitars. Bernardo Rico (aka "Bernie") was an accomplished Flamenco acoustic musician. From the early to mid 60s Bernie Rico exclusively constructed Flamenco guitars in Bernardo’s Guitar Store in Los Angeles, Cal. Ex- Vice President, Mal Stich, explains, "When you walked into Bernardo's shop the first thing you saw was wall to wall electric guitars hanging from the wall like birthday celebration balloons. There was a glass counter with picks, strings, guitar parts and accessories. Behind the counter was a window and you could actually watch the guys building electric guitars. And, the best thing was that there were usually Flamenco and Classical musicians pickin away. I recall Flamenco players firing at one another with riff-after-riff. Bernie's dad, Bernardo Mason Rico, was always sitting in his chair next to the Coca-Cola machine while buddies and neighbors, even the postman, watched spellbound as they listened to the music."
We're recognizing BC Rich’s 40th Anniversary marking 1969 as the year Bernie embarked on his first real try to manufacture electric guitars and basses. It was recorded that 10 basses influenced by the Gibson EB-3 electric bass as well as ten matching Les Paul influenced electric guitars were handcrafted. Right now few of these guitars exist, and it’s rumored that less than the number above were actually completed.
The time around 1972 was exceptionally auspicious. The first original electric guitar design, the Seagull, was handcrafted in Bernardo’s shop. True to future style, the Seagull guitar was visually unique as well as revolutionary. Its neck-thru design (now a emblem of BC Rich) featuring a heel-less construction – extremely uncommon for that time.
Bernie soon employed a number of talented creative designers to compliment his very talented builders. Most of the unique shapes that would emerge from this expansion had turn out to be legendary shapes associated with electric guitars. Approximately around 1976 arrived the Mockingbird, and then the further improvement of the Seagull, the Eagle guitar was born, and around 1978 came the Bich was introduced. A few of the most well-regarded guitar players immediately took to the revolutionary direction of BC Rich.
With rising accomplishment, there was a need for a less expensive mass-produced BC Rich guitar. Around 1978 Bernie developed the BC Rico trademark to devise guitars that would be imported from Japan. The first try was not profitable when the Rico Reed Company filed a lawsuit over using the name. Despite the consequence, the decision had already been made to use the BC Rich name on imported electric guitars. Merely a small portion, perhaps a hundred or so BC Rico guitars ever made it to the US.
When the early 1980s came, the Warlock was introduced. Almost immediately the hair metal culture of the time took to the Warlock’s edgy and distinctive shape. The Warlock, though nowhere close to the newest shape invented, rounds out the first 5 legendary BC Rich shapes.
About the Author
Todd is a passionate music lover and guitar player who has been playing guitar for over 25 years. One of his favorite websites he uses for his guitar related resources is Gear-Vault.com, the best guitar review websites on the entire internet. Resource to History of B.C. Rich Guitars
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BC Rich Mockingbird - Golden Era 1974-1985 - USA Handmade w/ DiMarzios ...
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With this video, I pay tribute to B.C. Rich's golden era (1974-1985). I play a handcrafted B.C. Rich Mockingbird made in 1984 in El Monte, California, and talk about the company's history and its founder, Bernardo Chavez Rico (1941-1999 R.I.P.).
The vintage, custom shop Mockingbird I play on this video features DiMarzio pickups (Super & PAF), active electronics and a Kahler 2300 tremolo. I demonstrate how the electronics work, particularly the varitone knob.
Topics discussed on this video include:
1. The involvement of legendary luthier Neal Moser. He designed the Bich shape (which later inspired the Warlock shape), helped redesign the Seagull model and came up with the name Mockingbird.
2. Besides Neal Moser, I recognize several people who were directly or indirectly involved with B.C. Rich during the golden era: Mal Stich, Sal Gonzales, Jose Blas, Juan Hernandez, Wayne Charvel, Larry DiMarzio, Johnny Go-Go and Gary Kahler.
3. I talk about the B.C. Rich custom shops located in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico.
4. I show pictures of classic B.C. Rich designs: Bich, Ironbird, Stealth, Warlock and Mockingbird as well as pictures of many famous players who played B.C. Rich guitars: Lita Ford, Randy Piper (W.A.S.P.), Mick Mars (Motley Crue), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Kerry King (Slayer), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) and Paul Stanley (Kiss).
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