New to me Ric(h)

[incubus2432]

Well, an odd thing happened this week. I was up and down with some issues and actually passed on a Ric I would have liked to add to my mini-collection (sorry Jeff) and then this koa USA BC Rich Mockingbird popped up for a fantastic deal and I just couldn't resist. Mainly because if need be I can likely make a tidy profit on it. Also I sold my Cii project and some other music gear to pay for it which I hadn't planned on for the Ric deal. The plan is to keep it but ya' never know so getting it on the cheap made the decision relatively easy. The simple fact is also that the LK really is a fantastic Ric and no matter how much I want others I always turn to the LK so between that and my Blackened 5-er Paul W. project I may actually be Ricsatisfied for the time being (I hate to admit that though).

Anyway, it was listed on ebay from a local studio (I believe they sold some Rics recently as well) so I dropped an email, they offered a price and a deal was struck. Neal Moser (the Paul/Dale of BC Rich's) refinished and straightened out/updated the electronic nightmare a few years ago so it is essentially in new condition. Per the seller it never had much use and was part of a large collection. It plays well and doesn't require a big adjustment when switching from the LK except that it has a little neck dive which is easily dealt with by using the right forearm while playing. With all of the switches/pots there is a wide range of tones available and about three of them are useful. I used to own a maple USA Mockingbird in the mid-90's and have regretted it's loss since I sold it during my joyous divorce shenanigans......it's nice to have one again so I hope it sticks around.

[ajish4]

Nice score Brian,

I've ALWAYS wondered about these basses.....I LOVE the natural wood grain on this one.

VERY, VERY NICE.

Enjoy.

How's it sound?

[kiramdear]

VERY nice, and a fine looking mate for your Lemmy. Enjoy!

[windchimp]

That's a good looking hunk of lumber you got there, Brian!

What the heck do all those switches do? There's more toggles on that thing than in the cockpit of a 747!!!!

[incubus2432]

It sounds surprisingly like the LK.....just a nice full, angry tone with strong lows. It has a set of fresh rounds on it so after I trash those I'll throw some Chromes on it and get a more direct comparison. I have a gig tonight so I'll see how it fares in the real world vs. the LK.

My description of tone is lacking I know.....it's so subjective and, to me, I'm just not that picky. I have a whole range of subtle differences that I'll accept. Give me good lows, crisp notes and some grunt when I hammer the strings and I'm happy.

Lots 'o switches....


The varitone is a six position switch (checkenhead knob) that has different capacitors at each position......a Ric push/pull on steroids. The preamp volume gives a pretty substantial clean boost that can be pretty useful (volume controlled by the knob so it can be just a subtle boost to stand out a little). Switches 6 and 7, I think, are just coil taps.

[FretlessOnly]

Very nice!

BTW, what are those blue silk wrapped strings on your Lemmy?

[incubus2432]

D'Addario Chromes on the LK.

[Tarrbot]

I'm now fondly reminded of my brother's mid-70s red Mockingbird 6 string. One of his first (before he got married and his wife cried about his guitar usage). When he was younger, we called him Git and with the last name of Tarr it kinda stuck for the longest.

Brian, do you know what year that is? It's a very nice piece. Great score.

[incubus2432]

I'm not sure of the year.....when it was refinished by Moser the serial # was destroyed (common issue apparently) so I'm going to try contacting him to see if there is any info available.

At my gig last night it sounded great during sound check but it wasn't sitting quite right in the mix during our sets so the LK got the nod for most of the night. I'm not concerned about the tone.....the issue was not being able to do much tweaking while playing a show and knowing that the LK was good to go. The Mockingbird sounded better solo and the LK actually sounded "thin" in comparison. After all these years I still find it interesting how such a different tone is needed in a band setting vs. solo.

[woodyng]

beautiful bass,brian! i used to own a late 70's eagle (all mahoganey with a violin type finish) that i loved,although i dumped the dimarzio pickups for bill lawrence ones and removed the varitone,coil splitter/phase switches for just a 4001-type control system. the eagle was a more traditionally shaped body.....just a really nice bass. the necks on these are probably pretty similar to the 4004 series,if memory serves....that combination was very dark sounding, probably why i like cii so much as well .

[Tarrbot]

Brian, I came across a site where I could look at old catalogs and it looks like that headstock was stopped in production in 1986 when they went to the "new" NJ headstocks.

You probably already knew this, though.

Any update on how it gigs?

[bottom4]

Nice score, Brian!

I wonder whats up with this studio. If it's the same one I'm thinking of they have sold many Ricks including a CS a couple of Black Stars (of which I have one) a Shadow...

[incubus2432]

No gig updates. My band is DOA until Fall-ish since my drummer is having wrist surgery soon. I still have to swap the strings to Chromes and am debating a black hardware swap for a more sinister look. Apparently I can't leave anything alone!

The year is likely around '80 and I've heard nothing back from Moser yet. No biggie.

The seller (same studio you are thinking of Andy) said the studio owner has a HUGE bass collection and is selling off everything except some vintage Fenders which is all he is currently playing. It's good to see some case queens getting the opportunity to be used IMO.