B.C Rich Warlock?

**Wickett** · 07.08.06, 04:33 PM

Hi guys-

My 14 yo son is a beginning guitar player. He's currenlty playing an old strat model guitar that one of my guitar playing friends gave him. He's bugging me to get him a B.C Rich Warlock guitar. Being into metal, of course he's attracted to it for the looks. Since I know little about electric guitars (as I only ended up playing acoustic), I'm reaching out..

Are these guitars any good? Is there a better one for him for the price, etc?

I told him I'd buy him any guitar he wants when he can play Eruption, but that's a ways down the road

Thanks

**guitar08man** · 07.08.06, 05:21 PM

Depends on how much your willing to spend.

Import b.c. riches are VERY low quality. bad hardware, crappy wood, ect. steer clear from anything that says bronze series.

U.S.A. neck through b.c. riches are HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH quality. Neck through construction, active electronics, high quality woods all factor into the 2 grand plus pricetag.

There were also a couple bolt on U.S.A. b.c. rich models from the 80's, theyre apparently pretty decent, but dont quote me on that. You can find em pretty cheap on ebay, and theyre tons better than the bronze series.

Im not a b.c. rich expert, but this is what ive gathered after 8 years of playing guitar.

hope this helps.

**Wickett** · 07.08.06, 05:33 PM

well... he is a beginner, so I'm not not ready to open up the bank doors just yet (I'd rather spend the big bucks on a Martin for myself

).

I guess I'm asking if it's a good deal for a beginner guitar.. looks like the price will be no more than the $300 range. I just don't want to get him a total piece of crap if he will have trouble playing it, etc.

**stratovarious** · 07.08.06, 05:48 PM

get him an OLP MM1 they are probably alot better than the BC Rich even though they dont like a metalhead guitar

**glockaxis** · 07.09.06, 09:54 PM

No on the BC Rich. Total crap. I was holding one for a student of mine and the quality was attrocious. The bridge literally cut my pick hand as the saddles were sharp and the location was closer to the neck than any other guitar I had ever tried. I was surprised the kid didn't give up guitar----that's how bad it was. If he's into metal check out a Jackson or an Ibanez----maybe even a Schecter (haven't really tried the new ones).

**Dino5150** · 07.11.06, 01:59 PM

There may be "better" guitars, but it's not what your son wants.
I'm sure the last thing you want is to disappoint your son with a "better" guitar that he doesn't like.

If he had no clue what kind of guitar he wanted, i could offer all kinds of suggestions. But in this situation, I think the best suggestion I could offer would be to buy the guitar your son says he likes and wants.

JMO

**PassingBy** · 07.11.06, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dino5150

If he had no clue what kind of guitar he wanted, i could offer all kinds of suggestions. But in this situation, I think the best suggestion I could offer would be to buy the guitar your son says he likes and wants.

Exactly, because the guitar must tempt HIM to play, not you

Judging from http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...s+Warlock/10/1 there at least some happy cheap B.C. users out there...

**Wickett** · 07.11.06, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dino5150

There may be "better" guitars, but it's not what your son wants.
I'm sure the last thing you want is to disappoint your son with a "better" guitar that he doesn't like.

If he had no clue what kind of guitar he wanted, i could offer all kinds of suggestions. But in this situation, I think the best suggestion I could offer would be to buy the guitar your son says he likes and wants.

JMO

Good point. I'm not saying I won't buy him the guitar, if it's what he wants. But it makes sense for both of us get all the information we can..

BTW.. I'll be making several non guitar related decisions during his teenage years that he won't like.

.

**Wickett** · 07.11.06, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by PassingBy

Exactly, because the guitar must tempt HIM to play, not you

Judging from http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...s+Warlock/10/1 there at least some happy cheap B.C. users out there...

good reviews.. thanks

**Mikey Metalhead** · 07.11.06, 04:59 PM

I recommended a squire for a friend for his son to start and his son talked him into that warlock learning package. I played it and yes it is cheap, but well worth what he paid for it. I have a hard time paying cheap guitars and I could play this one ok.

His son, who as mentioned, does well when he is excited about things, has discovered Eddie and is downloading tabs and learning out the wazoo.

money well spent regardless of our view on this particular guitar.

He can always upgrade if he sticks with it

**Dino5150** · 07.12.06, 09:27 AM

BTW.. I'll be making several non guitar related decisions during his teenage years that he won't like. .

Even MORE reason to buy him the guitar he wants.

As a parent of a teenager myself, there's one important lesson I have learned ... you must pick and choose your battles. Buying a guitar doesn't need to be a decision where he really *needs* your guidance IMO.
Money, yes ... guidance no.

**A&Z Guitar Repair** · 07.12.06, 02:53 PM

Chris' guitars has a few Warlocks. Check his "other electrics page" as well as the "just in" page. He's fair priced and good to work with.

http://www.chrisguitars.com/new.html

My 2 cents on guitar entry level guitars is this...

Find one that feels comfortable to the player. Color/shape is important as an initial reaction, however, if the guitar isn't comfortable to play he/she won't play it. Also stick to guitars in your price range, it doesn't help to play a $3000 PRS if your budget is $250. Play all the $250 guitars you can, then look at the $300 guitars. What's the difference? Is it cosmetic? If so, stick with the $250 guitar. If the $300 guitar is better playing/sounding spend the extra $50.

Just my $.02.

Good luck regardless,

Scott Eivins
A&Z Guitar Repair
azguitarrepair-evh@yahoo.com

**sixstring** · 07.12.06, 03:26 PM

Wickett, I'd just keep your options open and go down to you guitar peddler of choice and BOTH of you try out EVERYTHING. Bring up the same points with him that you've brought up here. He might just change his mind on the Warlock if you point out to him you don't want playing the thing to be a pain in the ass for him. But I have to agree, after all the 'research', if he's still dead-set on getting the Warlock, even if it's sub-par, let him do it...

**Wickett** · 07.12.06, 03:28 PM

Lots of good feedback from everyone, thanks...

Gotta love the links

**sixstring** · 07.12.06, 03:39 PM

Oh, and I'd add that, as I'm sure you know, looks are important, but should run a distant second to playability. Case in point: I caught a lot of shit from fellow players when I bought my first Wolfie, and believe me, when I first heard of them, I was PLENTY leery of the Peavey tag, but as a DIE-HARD Ed fan, easily curious enough to go down and check one out. Once I laid my hands on that neck, it was all over with. The EVH stamp on it and the killer looks of the thing were just gravy. The guitar is just simply the easiest thing to play I've ever picked up. I'ts extremely difficult for me to play anything else...I mean, I CAN, but it's NOWHERE NEAR as enjoyable as a Wolfie or a MusicMan. Those things just 'fit' me perfect...

So, what I'm saying is, if you go down to the store with him and try everything you can get your hands on, you might be surprised at what your kid may gravitate toward...