BC Rich Mockingbird Bass

[BoomBoomOGTL]

Originally Posted by smcd

If you're looking for a bass like that, you should budget $1,500. You may get it for less, but you need to be in that range or you'll be looking forever.

*as a supporting member, you can ask "how much is this bass worth?" questions all day!

I've found the one I have my eye on is actually a pro-refin (you'd never know it was done), not original finish but is an 1982 model. Nice looking RW board too. Also, the orig. DiMarzios were replaced w/active EMGS and although all the pots and switches remain, they're not wired. $1k w/an anvil flight case...

So...too much $$ for a refin???

[zachoff]

I've always liked the look of the Mockingbird... Always been afraid I'd hate the active pre or I'd have one by now.

[mournblade]

Not a bad price at all.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomOGTL

I've found the one I have my eye on is actually a pro-refin (you'd never know it was done), not original finish but is an 1982 model. Nice looking RW board too. Also, the orig. DiMarzios were replaced w/active EMGS and although all the pots and switches remain, they're not wired. $1k w/an anvil flight case...

So...too much $$ for a refin???

The biggest problem with that bass isn't the refin, it's the gutted electronics. Even with those issuses, it's the right year, and it has an Anvil case. I think $1k for that bass with those mods is a little high. If you can talk the seller down to a price closer to $850, that would be a good deal.

Neal Moser can restore the electronics, though I don't know what it would cost. My Mockingbird had the electronics gutted and EMG's installed (though it wasn't the desirable "full blown" electronics package). Still, the EMG's sound great, and it's a great playing bass.

Make an offer. Let us know what happened.

[Zoomie]

I have a question. I have heard many people talk about early 80's BC's but no one ever talks about the initial mid 70's units. Were the early ones crap from a tone perspective, or is it an issue of the early stuff just not showing up for sale very often?

Thanks in advance.

[bassclef112]

Originally Posted by Zoomie

I have a question. I have heard many people talk about early 80's BC's but no one ever talks about the initial mid 70's units. Were the early ones crap from a tone perspective, or is it an issue of the early stuff just not showing up for sale very often?

Thanks in advance.

I had a mid 70's Eagle with the original pickups. According to Neal Moser they could've been Mighty Mites, but he wasn't sure because they were using a variety of brands in the beginning. They even used Hi-A's (early Barts). Until they settled on the DiMarzios it was hit or miss. Since all the hardware was off the shelf from different manufacturers things didn't always come together as well as they should have. On this Eagle the pole pieces didn't quite line up with the Badass string spacing so it had a very uneven output - see the bridge pickup. BTW, these were guitar humbucker size, like EMG HB's. I tried other options but none of those gave me what I wanted and the bass went its merry way.



The basses themselves were great builds though. Excellent examples that came together can be had I'm sure, but they really hit their stride in the late 70's. Here's my '77 Eagle with an earlier pickup spacing closer to the neck.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by bassclef112

I had a mid 70's Eagle with the original pickups. According to Neal Moser they could've been Mighty Mites, but he wasn't sure because they were using a variety of brands in the beginning. They even used Hi-A's (early Barts). Until they settled on the DiMarzios it was hit or miss. Since all the hardware was off the shelf from different manufacturers things didn't always come together as well as they should have. On this Eagle the pole pieces didn't quite line up with the Badass string spacing so it had a very uneven output - see the bridge pickup. BTW, these were guitar humbucker size, like EMG HB's. I tried other options but none of those gave me what I wanted and the bass went its merry way.



The basses themselves were great builds though. Excellent examples that came together can be had I'm sure, but they really hit their stride in the late 70's. Here's my '77 Eagle with an earlier pickup spacing closer to the neck.

OK. That explains a lot. Thanks so much for taking the time ! Sounds like case by case, should I stumble in to anything.

[bassclef112]

You're quite welcome. Absolutely look at them case by case - like I said the builds themselves were first rate.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomOGTL

I've found the one I have my eye on is actually a pro-refin (you'd never know it was done), not original finish but is an 1982 model. Nice looking RW board too. Also, the orig. DiMarzios were replaced w/active EMGS and although all the pots and switches remain, they're not wired. $1k w/an anvil flight case...

So...too much $$ for a refin???

I gather this is the one you're considering? -





The knobs aren't original, which is another thing to consider. That headstock, though.... I've never seen a painted headstock from that year. Not like that, anyway.

[bassclef112]

Getting the original "anvil" flight case is a big plus - that's not common at all. When I got my '80 Mock it came with the original fitted Calzone flight case. That's probably what this is.

If it really plays well - all the structural issues are sound and satisfactory , neck feels good, the refin is good quality, flight case included and all of these things hit you right, when you include the "want it" factor $1K isn't way out of line IMO.


You'd be very hard pressed to find an original white one and if you bought one untouched you'd be nuts to paint it. So, this one's already done. If you could talk a hundred or two off it, even better, but consider what it is - a real 80's vintage BC.

Keep in mind - with 2 sets of DiMarzios you could restore the electronics completely if you ever wanted to. Neal Moser sells the varitone, switches, knobs, everything you'd need and all correct. White 80's Mocks are certainly few and far between.

http://www.nealmoserguitars.com/?mai...=index&cPath=8

[BoomBoomOGTL]

Guilty. That's the one. The headstock was refin'd also, that's why it has the black painted stripes like the body (I orignally stated it was exposed walnut rails but it's painted).

I'm still thinkning hard about this one. Thanks for the comments, all.

Originally Posted by smcd

I gather this is the one you're considering? -





The knobs aren't original, which is another thing to consider. That headstock, though.... I've never seen a painted headstock from that year. Not like that, anyway.

[Clark Dark]

Originally Posted by smcd

Nice video ^^. Not a Mockingbird, but an excellent example of what it sounds like.



If you're looking for a Mock like Griggs played, you're looking at a late-70's/early 80's US-made model. To the best of my knowledge, BC Rich didn't make a p/j in those days. Definitely didn't make a model with an MM pickup. The new BCRich basses are not the same as the vintage BCRich instruments. The vintage BCRich's are boutique quality, high end instruments and are expensive compared to the Asian-made guitar they're making today.

are you sure? it looks like a 79 to me




http://fandalism.com/jerrypreston/4Yd

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Clark Dark

are you sure? it looks like a 79 to me

Attachment 311159


http://fandalism.com/jerrypreston/4Yd

The bass in the photo on that fandalism site is a Mockingbird.


But the bass he's playing in the video is a Wave

[Clark Dark]

did you look at the lower link I posted?
Jerry thanks his friend for the loan of the Mockingbird...

[smcd]

uhm.... yeah.... that's why I said "The bass in the photo on that fandalism site is a Mockingbird".

I'm not sure what the photo of the Mockingbird has to do with the OP's request for sound clips. But hey... whatever....

[Clark Dark]

I posted the clip earlier, thought it was shadow beneath the bridge instead of carved body end. It does have that Mock tone though. That's why I put up the Maceo vid as a sound clip. Same electronics as that 79 Mock on the link.

[bassclef112]

Originally Posted by Clark Dark

I posted the clip earlier, thought it was shadow beneath the bridge instead of carved body end. It does have that Mock tone though. That's why I put up the Maceo vid as a sound clip. Same electronics as that 79 Mock on the link.

The 79 Mock on the link has reversed P's while the Wave does not, otherwise they are the same. My '80 is identical to the '79 (except for nicer wood!). I have seen P/J Mocks from that era though they are rare.

[mournblade]

A couple of mine (sold the cherry burst), an 07 Custom shop and lastly 83 p/hum.

All 3 basses cop different tones. The all maple has is bright, the 07 with a mahogany neck through is very p bass like and the p/hum has a gritty mid range that I love.

If you cannot find an all koa mock, eagle or wave (or afford 5k for a koa wave) then I would suggest a mahogany bodied version.

[johnk_10]

if you've never seen it before, here's some pics of the very first mockingbird bass (completed in January of 1976, maple body w/rosewood stringers with ebony board, Hi-A pickups, grover keys, with original prototype badass bridge):

[mournblade]

That is such an awesome piece of history. I love the Mockingbird. I forget, are you the one who designed it? If so, I owe you a debt of gratitude. I know Johnny is on this board, I just can't remember his user handle, so if it is not you, my apologies.