Late 70's/Early 80's BC Rich Versus Alembic

bassgod76 · #1 04-19-2013, 06:32 AM

I have a question regarding BC Rich & Alembic during the late 70's-early 80's.

I chatted with a gentleman recently who insisted that BC Rich was superior product to Alembic during this time period. He explained that BC selected better woods and contruction techniques. I've always thought of Alembic being the Rolls Royce of basses. The BC's of that period are awesome, but better than Alembic?

Thoughts?

M.R. Ogle · #2 04-19-2013, 06:38 AM

That gentleman is misinformed.

Funkinthetrunk · #3 04-19-2013, 06:53 AM

I own both. One is not better than the other...just different. They each have their own thing going.

bassgod76 · #4 04-19-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

I own both. One is not better than the other...just different. They each have their own thing going.

The guy is rather, uh, blunt.
This is what he wrote.
"You can't make assumptions unless you're familiar with the manufacturing process of both . Most guys make that assuption but BC were more selective with woods in the 80s . If you've never owned an 80s handmade then I can't blame you for the oversite . It's quite among todays tone wood acolytes"

**cfsporn** · #5 04-19-2013, 07:04 AM

While the early BC Rich guitars and basses were really nicely made with a lot of cool features, Alembics are in a different league all together.

bassgod76 · #6 04-19-2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsporn

While the early BC Rich guitars and basses were really nicely made with a lot of cool features, Alembics are in a different league all together.

That's what I thought. (shrugs)

If offered a Spoiler or a Mockingbird, guess what I'm picking?

bassgod76 · #7 04-19-2013, 07:08 AM

A retort from the gentleman's buddy:
"Honestly,you put hammer to head by mentioning the Electronics. It was actually THAT. which put that company on the map. Thats not to say that the wood components of the Alembic were bad, they just kinda took a back seat to the Circuitry Innovations. The BC Rich, product generally gets overlooked in the "Serious Guitar" category because of the little headbangers dragging mom out to the local music shop in the 1980s to buy the Pink pointy Metal Shredder made in the Orient. The actual USA instruments manufactured by hand by guys like Neil Moser in El Monte California are a STUDY in Innovative luthiery. They were using Cloud Quilt maple, Honduran Mahogany and Hawaiin KOA WELL before the Tom Andersons and John Suhrs of the world even thought of it. Unless you put your hands on one and PLAY it, you cannot understand. Comparing the two is aples to oranges but from a strictly Construction Standpoint. ANYTHING made in electric guitar world really IS inferior to a handmade BC RICH of the 1970s- Early 1980s"

smcd · #8 04-19-2013, 07:20 AM

I owned an '86 Alembic Spoiler, along with an '83 BC Rich Eagle and an '86 Mockingbird. BC Rich owners often get defensive because people who don't know any better dismiss that brand as cheesy, dated guitars aimed at 80's hair metal bands. What they don't know is that BC Rich, during the late 70's/mid-80's was making sophisticated, super high quality, boutique level guitars. So it could be that the guy was getting defensive.

But, as great as those BC Rich instruments were, Alembic is definitely on another, higher level. There's no question about that.

lefty1979 · #9 04-19-2013, 07:24 AM

Are they trying to sell you one????

bassgod76 · #10 04-19-2013, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

I owned an '86 Alembic Spoiler, along with an '83 BC Rich Eagle and an '86 Mockingbird. BC Rich owners often get defensive because people who don't know any better dismiss that brand as cheesy, dated guitars aimed at 80's hair metal bands. What they don't know is that BC Rich, during the late 70's/mid-80's was making sophisticated, super high quality, boutique level guitars. So it could be that the guy was getting defensive.

But, as great as those BC Rich instruments were, Alembic is definitely on another, higher level. There's no question about that.

Totally agree. I think BC Rich's from that era are stellar. I just thought it odd that he would state with passion that a BC Rich is worlds away better than the Alembic. I wasn't going to get in a pissing match with him, as he had already made up his mind. Then again, what do I know? Both companies have basses on my GAS list!

bassgod76 · #11 04-19-2013, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty1979

Are they trying to sell you one????

No, this is how the conversation evolved...

We were discussing Gene Simmons using a company like Cort to make his sig bass.

I made a comment like, "I doubt Gene taps a company like Fodera, Wal, or Alembic to make him a sig bass."

The one guy says, "I'd rather have a BC Rich over Alembic. The are made with better woods."

Baffled, and not wanting to cause a flame war, I just said, "BC Rich over Alembic? Wow. To each his own."

That's when I was "given a lesson" on the construction superiority of BC over Alembic.

swood_de · #12 04-19-2013, 07:43 AM

Alembics and old BC Riches are some of my favorite basses. I own both Alembics and BC Riches from the late 70's and early 80's. Both are exceptionally well-made basses. I bought my first BC Rich (an Eagle) in 1978 because I couldn't afford an Alembic back then. I still have it, and I still love it.

However, to say that BC Rich basses are "better made" or use "better woods" is simply not true. In fact, for what it's worth, BC Rich basses from that era use off-the-shelf DiMarzio pickups while Alembics use their own very sophisticated proprietary pickups and electronics. Alembics are also exceptionally well-crafted instruments that when properly set up play like butter. Alembics are now my main gigging basses. That doesn't mean that Alembics are "better," because like the OP said above "to each his own." As for me, I love them both! Oh, btw that's a new Alembic in my avatar...

Funkinthetrunk · #13 04-19-2013, 07:47 AM

I'll quote myself....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

I own both. One is not better than the other...just different. They each have their own thing going.

bassgod76 · #14 04-19-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkinthetrunk

I'll quote myself....

I hear you, but if you had to select one being "better made", electronics aside, would you ever say, "ANYTHING made in electric guitar world really IS inferior to a handmade BC RICH of the 1970s- Early 1980s" "