What did I just buy? Vintage BC Rich content

[SanDiegoHarry]

I so wanted one of those when I was... 18, I think. I don't think that the cream DiMarzio's old up (aesthetically, that is) - but those were certainly basses for their time.

 

[maves75]

Great score on that TJ Mock! This seller had a great herd for sale. 1983 is my best date of birth on it.

 

[10cc]

And its a Long Horn Bird (longer lower horn). VERY cool indeed. Care to share price wise what you snagged it approx. for?

EDIT: Looked at SOLD listings. Uhmmmm that was a REALLY good deal. Congrats!!

Steal!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

here's me wishing one of mine was double Precision loaded

 

[brianrost]

That Mockingbird would have built in CA probably before 1982. I bought an Eagle bass in 1982 and it had a proprietary bridge, not a Badass. Yours also has simpler electronics...mine had small toggles for coil taps, phase reverse and preamp (gain only) bypass, plus a chicken head knob for a Varitone (passive midrange) control. That was the standard package through most of the 1980s. Controls were volume, tone and preamp volume plus the Varitone. Is yours passive? Normal or reverse P pickups are both common...mine were normal.

 

[hintz]

Based on a quick search and reading a few articles it seems that if the serial starts with 86 it was made in 82 (probably). Several articles said that "by 1986, serial numbers were four numbers behind". It seems that in the very early 80s serial numbers began with the year of manufacture and then gradually lagged behind. So it's probably 82 or 83. Definitely DiMarzio pickups (factory stock). Can't help you with the controls.

Sucker looks good and I bet it sounds great.

Congrats!! You have IMO the coolest variation of the Mock, the TJ or Tijuana cut!! Mine is either an 80-81 being the serial starts with 84*** so yours is probably 83-84

Mine is Koa with maple stringers under the pearl blue(I can tell from paint chips and stringer outline's).... Anyways these are players, nice score!!

 

[hintz]

That Mockingbird would have built in CA probably before 1982. I bought an Eagle bass in 1982 and it had a proprietary bridge, not a Badass. Yours also has simpler electronics...mine had small toggles for coil taps, phase reverse and preamp (gain only) bypass, plus a chicken head knob for a Varitone (passive midrange) control. That was the standard package through most of the 1980s. Controls were volume, tone and preamp volume plus the Varitone. Is yours passive? Normal or reverse P pickups are both common...mine were normal.

Beautiful Eagle, but the ops bass was not made in CA. The el Monte (CA) style has a thicker lower/front horn than the Tijuana build(Op's and mine) which were nicknamed the "long horn" or "skinny dick" for a much skinnier lower/front horn.

I'm not sure as to *why* they used two different template's, but they did

 

[two fingers]

That Mockingbird would have built in CA probably before 1982. I bought an Eagle bass in 1982 and it had a proprietary bridge, not a Badass. Yours also has simpler electronics...mine had small toggles for coil taps, phase reverse and preamp (gain only) bypass, plus a chicken head knob for a Varitone (passive midrange) control. That was the standard package through most of the 1980s. Controls were volume, tone and preamp volume plus the Varitone. Is yours passive? Normal or reverse P pickups are both common...mine were normal.

Dreaming of that exact configuration in a 19mm spaced 5 string may just keep me up at night.

 

[GeneralElectric]

Oh man! Makes me miss my old BC Rich!

 

[hintz]

Oh man! Makes me miss my old BC Rich!

Damn!! That's beautiful...

 

[Sixgunn]

I had a very early Eagle with the most awesome neck. Thanks for reminding me of what an idiot I was for getting rid of it!!

 

[10cc]

I had a very early Eagle with the most awesome neck. Thanks for reminding me of what an idiot I was for getting rid of it!!

View attachment 958538

Most awesome pants!

 

[Sixgunn]

Most awesome pants!

Know what I'm sayin'!!!

 

[KillerEddie]

That knob layout is weird. It's similar to the modern neck through Mock like the Heritage Classic. The guy who designed the Mock used to post here I wonder if he could provide insight.

 

[hintz]

That knob layout is weird. It's similar to the modern neck through Mock like the Heritage Classic. The guy who designed the Mock used to post here I wonder if he could provide insight.

Yeah, JohnK is the designer of the original mockingbird! How the original differs from the other variations im not sure, but the original was to be a one off just for John Kallas....edit: If I remember correctly!?

 

[Sunset Shalom]

I had a very early Eagle with the most awesome neck. Thanks for reminding me of what an idiot I was for getting rid of it!!

View attachment 958538

Your guitarists facial expression is hilarious Also is that a tear in your pants or are they unzipped slightly? Great pic, bet that was a fun gig

 

[bizzybass]

The first 2 numbers early on indicated the year. By the mid 80s they were producing so many it was about 4 yrs off. For example:86 was built in or about 82. This looks built to order to me. I like the varitone concept but if someone really isnt going to use it this ele config is perfect. Nice find. If you dont mind, what did you scoop it up for?

 

[Sixgunn]

Your guitarists facial expression is hilarious Also is that a tear in your pants or are they unzipped slightly? Great pic, bet that was a fun gig

Lol. I think the zip flap was just flapping a bit. Lots of fun gigs

 

[BunchyMutt]

Awesome score! The bassist in my buddy's band uses one and it sounds perfect. I'm not sure if it's the same model as yours but it is a vintage one. Again sweet bass! Love the headstock.

Your buddy is Kurt Vile?!

 

[10cc]

Your buddy is Kurt Vile?!

Ha! No. My friend is his drummer now. Same drummer from Harvey Milk, Tom Collins and sits in with Dinosaur Jr. when their drummer isn't aloud in certain countries. His name is Kyle Spence. He also runs a great recording studio in Athens.