BC Rich or Epiphone

[Bass Boy J]

Which is better?

 

[Lesfunk]

If you want a mockingbird, get a BC rich
If you want a thunderbird, get an epiphone

a real USA BC rich is a hell of an instrument

 

[WillyW]

Apples to Chevrolet

What models? what era?

 

[Bass Boy J]

Apples to Chevrolet

What models? what era?

Just in general, which one would you pick?

 

[WillyW]

Just in general, which one would you pick?

I have both.

Bolt on neck BC Riches, and Epiphone as a cheap Gibson copy do nothing for me.

Epiphone original models, and neckthru BC Riches are phenomenal. But they don’t directly compare.

 

[jd56hawk]

Just in general, which one would you pick?

If we're going to be general, I'd pick something else.
If for some strange reason I had to choose between the two, I'd pick a Thunderbird Vintage Pro before any BC Rich.
I actually have one, but my Thundergun gets more playing time...far more playing time.

 

[Lesfunk]

If you can find (the now out of production) BC Rich Greg weeks Eagle , get that
Good luck finding one

 

[devilof76]

My 89 Warlock doesn’t sound as good as my Vintage Pro Thunderbird, which doesn’t sound as good as my Fernandes Mockingbird.

 

[Element Zero]

Which is better?

 

[wild4oldcars]

I like my epiphone embassy a lot

 

[Savage_Dreams]

Which is better?

Just in general, which one would you pick?

better is very subjective. better body shapes? better electronics? better weight? better feel? better balance/neck dive? better colors?

better for what style of music? better for different levels or styles of players?

with so many different models and very different body styles from both its impossible to just pick one in general. unless you have some weird brand loyalty and say i only play brand 'X' and refuse to even look at the other, which again, is just weird.

 

[Craig Orndorff]

If you like sharp pointies and metal, BC Rich will do just fine.

If you like more classical styling and more mainstream rock, probably Epi.

The whole “better” thing, well, depends on what you mean by better. If we’re talking resale value, Epi probably wins, because the more classic designs appeal to a wider audience. In terms of construction, BC Rich as it is currently set up only appears to make >1k basses. The about page says USA pickups, but I don’t know about the rest of it. Epi, meanwhile, everything is going to be foreign, but there’s a plethora of options from budget to more pricey models. But both are reputable companies and the chances of getting a true lemon or a diamond in the “very” rough are lower.

To belabor the automotive analogy above, it’s kinda like asking if you prefer an Impala over a PT Cruiser, or one of the boxier Scions.

You’re probably going to find that no one on TB is going to make up your mind for you and I’ll go ahead and say it—play them and decide.

 

[Killing Floor]

I like Cholula on fried chicken but I use Frank’s to make Buffalo sauce.
I’m open to try a different one if y’all can make a recommendation.

 

[Clark Dark]

I'd take a BC Rich Eagle over any Epiphone, no brainer

 

[Joe Nerve]

Just in general, which one would you pick?

I never played either, but in general, I'd go with BC Rich.

2 reasons.

1. Most Epiphones I know mimic Gibsons, which means deep, dark and muddy to me.

2. Epiphone MIGHT BE viewed by some as the poor boy's Gibson. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them, but yeah... BC Rich isn't a cheaper version of anything.

 

[TBird1958]

An Epiphone Vintage Pro Thunderbird, 9 ply neck thru construction, not dark or muddy in any way, very lively pickups. Great bass at a reasonable price.

 

[Lesfunk]

After checking out the new BC Rich heritage classic mockingbird, I think I’d choose that one. it specs out pretty well
Korean made, not China or Indonesia
Neck through construction
Ebony fingerboard
EMG pickups with BTS system

Heritage Classic Mockingbird Bass - B.C. Rich

 

[Bass V]

no clue about BCs but my hated by some Epi bolt-on Thunderbird IV does everything for me.
flats with a thumbpick and let the fun begin!

 

[Koshchei]

Just make sure to loop the strap through your belt. Beautiful though they may be, Mockingbirds are neck-dive monsters. And yeah, I'd take the BCR.

 

[HardNHeavy]

T-bird,
always loved the look and tone..BC's are nice for a certain genre, and sound good, tho i had a cheapo warlock once, probably made in small hut off the coast of pango-pango...but it was so neck-divey, and hard to practice with at home with its shape, i sold it within 8 months.