Offical B.C. Rich Club!

[2F/2F]

Picked this up locally a few days ago. Need to go through, clean it a bit, and set it up for my tastes. The previous owner used super low action and standard gauge rounds. I use high action and heavy or medium flats most of the time. Frets are low, but not divoted. I actually like low frets, and once I change to flats, there should be almost no fret wear. So the frets should be able to stay original. I'm going to try EB Cobalt Flats first (they work very well on a couple of G&Ls that I have).

The controls have been modded, but not too badly:

neck p/u volume where master volume used to be
bridge p/u volume where Vari-Tone used to be
Pre-amp knob/switch work as original, and pre-amp is original
Tone knob works as original
Added knob had done something at some point (perhaps Vari-Tone was moved there), but it's now a dummy knob
Dual Sound and phase switches work as original

I plan on leaving the bass with independent volume controls, and converting the dummy knob to a master bass cut knob. I would prefer stock, of course, but I also think the independent volumes are more useful than a Vari-Tone. And it's already modded, and I won't be selling this, so I'm not really losing anything by leaving it how it is, at least for now.

I will be putting Rick knobs on it.

 

[s_wood]

My Eagles are very similar to yours. FWIW, I think that the varitone circuit was critical to the musicality of those basses. There are a ton of usable tones in it!

 

[Michael Vee]

Why anyone would change anything about that control set is way beyond me. Some people just can't leave well enough alone. I agree with s_wood. You could change up the sound of those basses in a myriad of ways. It looks overly complicated, but you find several main sounds you like and use those, and then you had a variety of ways to change your main sounds up for different venues, songs, etc. I miss my 1980 Eagle..

 

[2F/2F]

My Eagles are very similar to yours. FWIW, I think that the varitone circuit was critical to the musicality of those basses. There are a ton of usable tones in it!

Why anyone would change anything about that control set is way beyond me. Some people just can't leave well enough alone. I agree with s_wood. You could change up the sound of those basses in a myriad of ways. It looks overly complicated, but you find several main sounds you like and use those, and then you had a variety of ways to change your main sounds up for different venues, songs, etc. I miss my 1980 Eagle..

This bass was modded over 40 years ago. Basically, what I think I can piece together, talking to the guy I bought it from, is that the original owner simply wanted independent volume controls for each pickup, and relocated the Vari-Tone to do it. That's a fair modification that doesn't take anything away – just adds to what the bass can do.

Then the second owner bought it in 1985, and at some point, removed the relocated Vari-Tone in favor of a dummy knob. Maybe the Vari-Tone was too crammed in there, and he thought it got in his way. I bought it from this guy, who had owned it for 41 years.

The controls aren't complicated at all to me. Pretty straightforward.

It may go back to the original electronics scheme at some point...though that extra hole will still remain, so might as well make it a bass cut knob, or a bass cut switch with a couple of pre-sets.

For now, I'm just happy to finally have one, especially a rare short scale that is over-all in serviceable condition.

 

[9c1ny]

 

[poochiecheeks]

Anyone interested in my 2011 neck through warlock bass before i sell it to guitar center?
$1800 shipped

 

[9c1ny]

Anyone interested in my 2011 neck through warlock bass before i sell it to guitar center?
$1800 shipped

Post a few pics and I'll ask around

 

[poochiecheeks]

Post a few pics and I'll ask around

currently has two model Ps, recessed strap buttons and grover tuners.
Thank you

 

[BklynKen]

Finally got my Bodine back from having the new Badass bridge saddles slotted to match the narrower string spacing I use on my Hipshots. Really nice.

Before and after.

 

[9c1ny]

Recently picked up this Bich that was displayed at musikmesse (German NAMM essentially) in 1982. Its a sibling to my Frankfurt Wave bass. Separated for 44yrs now under the same roof once again. I

know of 2 other Frankfurt 82 basses, a maple dual H Wave and a trans blue maple Eagle. Half way there!

 

[NotColinGrigson]

Recently picked up this Bich that was displayed at musikmesse (German NAMM essentially) in 1982. Its a sibling to my Frankfurt Wave bass. Separated for 44yrs now under the same roof once again. IView attachment 7478309View attachment 7478310View attachment 7478311View attachment 7478312View attachment 7478314 know of 2 other Frankfurt 82 basses, a maple dual H Wave and a trans blue maple Eagle. Half way there!

Gorgeous

 

[Could Be Better]

Does anyone know if this Eagle has the original pickups? Did B.C. Rich make pj configurations with EMGs? I’ve seen it on GC’s website for a bit.

 

[9c1ny]

Does anyone know if this Eagle has the original pickups? Did B.C. Rich make pj configurations with EMGs? I’ve seen it on GC’s website for a bit.

Its an original PJ bass, however that wood bezel is not original and under it looks like it was routed with a spoon, also it was a fretboard separation that was crudely glued, I returned it

 

[9c1ny]

 

[9c1ny]

Also notice the fretboard into the body, its 34" but the board is recessed to make it play more like a short scale, those higher frets are inaccessible, BCR made a few like this for a guy named Sal Gugiliano. At the time it stated it had a case and showed up with nothing, shocked the HS didn't get broken. I told them I would keep it for a reasonable price (sub 1500), they offered to take 10% off lol

 

[Could Be Better]

Its an original PJ bass, however that wood bezel is not original and under it looks like it was routed with a spoon, also it was a fretboard separation that was crudely glued, I returned it

Thanks for the info!

What a shame - it’s a beauty. Another bass from back in the day that didn’t survive the spoon

 

[9c1ny]

And from that era , no. Dimarzio or Bill lawrence. The EMGs are aftermarket and the electronics are hacked

 

[Could Be Better]

And from that era , no. Dimarzio or Bill lawrence. The EMGs are aftermarket and the electronics are hacked

Is this era not supposed to have a Moser circuit?

 

[9c1ny]

Is this era not supposed to have a Moser circuit?

It is supposed to have one. That's all EMG wiring, all the original electronics are gone. Moser circuits require 4 wire pickups, EMGs are 2 wire. Impossible to have a fully functional Moser circuit with 2 wire pickups

 

[Could Be Better]

It is supposed to have one. That's all EMG wiring, all the original electronics are gone. Moser circuits require 4 wire pickups, EMGs are 2 wire. Impossible to have a fully functional Moser circuit with 2 wire pickups

Man, you should start your own website for B.C. Rich information. You literally know everything about them!