BC Rich BODINE Vs EAGLE Bass

drums1977

drums1977

Mar 31, 2008
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#1
Hi BC Rich experts:

I've been looking into this. I have found out that apparently the Bodine was a transition name between the Seagull bass and the final Eagle. It looks like it is basically the same as the eagle, just without the maple on the body, mahogany instead of KOA and different inlays on the fretboatrd. Looking at photos, it looks like the PU placemnt is ifferent too, it looks like both PUs are closer to the bridge in the Eagle, but as BC Rich was basically a custom shop back then, it could be just the models I have found online. Do you guys know about thease basses? anyone owns one of those Bodines? Thanks!!
 
#2
drums1977 said:
Hi BC Rich experts:

I've been looking into this. I have found out that apparently the Bodine was a transition name between the Seagull bass and the final Eagle. It looks like it is basically the same as the eagle, just without the maple on the body, mahogany instead of KOA and different inlays on the fretboatrd. Looking at photos, it looks like the PU placemnt is ifferent too, it looks like both PUs are closer to the bridge in the Eagle, but as BC Rich was basically a custom shop back then, it could be just the models I have found online. Do you guys know about thease basses? anyone owns one of those Bodines? Thanks!!
Click to expand...


Bill Bodine was the name of Olivia Newton John's bassist, and the name came from basses that were built/modified for him.

From a Vintage Guitar Magazine article.

"Fly Like An Eagle
The Seagull did well, however, players began complaining about the upper point jabbing them in the chest. One of these was bassist Bill Bodine, who was playing with Olivia Newton John’s band at the time. In around 1975 Mr. Rico set about redesigning the Seagull, giving it two cutaways and no point on the upper horn. The first few were called the Bodine Bass and were promoted in ads as late as December of ’76, but the name quickly changed to the Seagull II or the Seagull Jr. In very late 1976 or early ’77, those names disappeared as well in favor of the Eagle. Thus, the Eagle was essentially a redesigned version of the original Seagull."

More on that here...

B.C. Rich Guitars
 
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#3
superdick2112 said:
Bill Bodine was the name of Olivia Newton John's bassist, and the name came from basses that were built/modified for him.

From a Vintage Guitar Magazine article.

"Fly Like An Eagle
The Seagull did well, however, players began complaining about the upper point jabbing them in the chest. One of these was bassist Bill Bodine, who was playing with Olivia Newton John’s band at the time. In around 1975 Mr. Rico set about redesigning the Seagull, giving it two cutaways and no point on the upper horn. The first few were called the Bodine Bass and were promoted in ads as late as December of ’76, but the name quickly changed to the Seagull II or the Seagull Jr. In very late 1976 or early ’77, those names disappeared as well in favor of the Eagle. Thus, the Eagle was essentially a redesigned version of the original Seagull."

More on that here...

B.C. Rich Guitars
Click to expand...

Yes, I read that somewhere else. Electronics look literally the same too. It seems like the main changes where the body woods (bodine was all mahogany while the eagle has also maple and koa), the fretboard inlays and the pickup placement. I wonder mainly how that change in the pus affect the sound. Bodine owners out there, come out! :)
 
#5
superdick2112 said:
Bill Bodine was the name of Olivia Newton John's bassist, and the name came from basses that were built/modified for him.

From a Vintage Guitar Magazine article.

"Fly Like An Eagle
The Seagull did well, however, players began complaining about the upper point jabbing them in the chest. One of these was bassist Bill Bodine, who was playing with Olivia Newton John’s band at the time. In around 1975 Mr. Rico set about redesigning the Seagull, giving it two cutaways and no point on the upper horn. The first few were called the Bodine Bass and were promoted in ads as late as December of ’76, but the name quickly changed to the Seagull II or the Seagull Jr. In very late 1976 or early ’77, those names disappeared as well in favor of the Eagle. Thus, the Eagle was essentially a redesigned version of the original Seagull."

More on that here...

B.C. Rich Guitars
Click to expand...
Hi All,
Late to this thread but I have one of the "Bodine" basses; I'm the second owner. I didn't realize it until I needed some help from Neil Moser (ex of BC Rich) to sort out some circuit board issues. He and I went back and forth on details- me insisting I had an Eagle, albeit like no other eagles I'd seen before. Then I sent pictures and he noticed the bass had Hi-A PUPs and is mahogany with a couple maple strips; he then tells me I have a "Bodine", and was able to get me the correct schematics... so yes- the electronics have some minor differences, mostly from the input coming from Mr. Bodine- he wanted a purely passive circuit but Neil still added a preamp for the commercial versions. The later Eagle circuit and the early Moc basses had pretty much the same circuitry and controls (I have a very early Moc as well). Anyway, I still love it after all the years, it just feels great and it's really right for certain gigs and recordings. I just had to have a fret job they couldn't be leveled anymore- wonderful warm old school Gibson like tones without the Gibson mud. Cheers!
 
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#6
drums1977 said:
Hi BC Rich experts:

I've been looking into this. I have found out that apparently the Bodine was a transition name between the Seagull bass and the final Eagle. It looks like it is basically the same as the eagle, just without the maple on the body, mahogany instead of KOA and different inlays on the fretboatrd. Looking at photos, it looks like the PU placemnt is ifferent too, it looks like both PUs are closer to the bridge in the Eagle, but as BC Rich was basically a custom shop back then, it could be just the models I have found online. Do you guys know about thease basses? anyone owns one of those Bodines? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Hi there ... I own a ‘76 BC Rich Bodine bass. Virtually unused... been in it’s case since 1983 after I got my custom Tobias bass.
 

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#12
Sten Dahlborg said:
Hi ... not really but it is a shame that it’s been sitting virtually untouched in its case for close to 40 years... it should be played really.

Interested? Your location?
Click to expand...

it's beautiful and probably every bit as old as me (I'm 42) and yes I am interested , I'd love to love it. I'm in the Eugene Oregon area
 
#13
9c1ny said:
it's beautiful and probably every bit as old as me (I'm 42) and yes I am interested , I'd love to love it. I'm in the Eugene Oregon area
Click to expand...

Almost, it was built in 1976. ;)
I’m quite ambivalent about selling since ‘I don’t have to’ do to speak. I also don’t want to lead you on but... as a point of dialogue... what would you offer? I have never checked what the ‘market price’ might be
(I’m based in Sweden, btw - but travel to the US quite frequently)
 
#14
Sten Dahlborg said:
Almost, it was built in 1976. ;)
I’m quite ambivalent about selling since ‘I don’t have to’ do to speak. I also don’t want to lead you on but... as a point of dialogue... what would you offer? I have never checked what the ‘market price’ might be
(I’m based in Sweden, btw - but travel to the US quite frequently)
Click to expand...
I'll send you a PM
 
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