as far as best bass, that should be chosen for each individual, and as for bc rich try older nj or usa series. they are far better instrumemnts. most people play bc richs lower starter models and draw their opinion there (while others bash bc rich because they arnt a fender copy and dont fit into the me too club). ive also liked some old kramers and esp basses for metal but it really dosent matter which bass you play just how you play it and what you play it through. steve harris plays fenders, lemmy plays ricks, vortex plays bc rich, tom araya plays esp. all those players are 110% percent metal so it dosent really matter what brand just what player.