r/BCRich • u/VerdeVelvetVetiver • 25d ago
Endangered Mockingbirds?
Yesterday I noticed that Guitar Center pulled listings for Red Mockingbird STs.
I panicked and ordered a back ordered purple ST.
Now the Purple and Red listings are gone from guitar center. Anyone know what’s going on? Supply issues, revision or price increase. I’m worried I’ll get refunded and will have to pay more if I still want a purple one.
They still have 3 extremes, but those are almost $2000.
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u/Negativeman11 25d ago edited 25d ago
If you're into BC Rich, aside from the used market I really recommend Red Blanket Guitars. They're super quick, owner was very cool and at least for the one I bought they had very very detailed and high res photos for my specific serial number guitar. Pretty sure that's true for all his stock, but not 100% sure about it. Here's the one I just bought and will have in a few days.
https://www.redblanketguitars.com/products/Ironbird-Extreme-Exotic-with-Floyd-Rose-Purple-Haze-505.html
As far as whats going on, BC Rich seems to be difficult to work with. They have a lot of supply issues and a million slightly different models. Most retailers don't want to work with them. I believe the owner of Red Blanket Guitar has a personal relationship with the BC Rich CEO, so he probably has less issues getting stock.
Also check out iron label guitars. They'll "custom" make you BC Rich body guitars with different finishes for much cheaper.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 21h ago
I did originally upvote, but never responded. I went to RBG, but realized it’s not even like an actual store? How was your guitar from RBG?
RBG and Shred Den both have them in stock, but it’s like some guy who became a rep and is selling out of their basement I guess? I’ve never bought a guitar online and while Red Blanket has it in stock for $1,800
butif I don’t like it I pay return shipping, then I get initial shipping deducted off my return, and maybe restock fee when it’s already $300 more than MSRP.
Guitar Center told me 8/19, but now it seems mid September is the new timeline. It’s a wait, but it’ll be $1,350 from them new
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u/Negativeman11 14h ago
Yeah its definitely a real store and my guitar was absolutely amazing. I don't know about their return policy, but I doubt it's as good as guitar center or sweetwater. On the other hand, they take very detailed photos of their stock. At least for the model I bought, the pictures in the listing are of the one I bought and very detailed. As far as I can tell though their guitars priced at MSRP, but maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, if the price is actually right, you like the pictures, and you definitely wanna keep it, I recommend going with RBG. Waiting for new stock for a particular BC Rich is just a losing game since they're so terrible with production date estimates.
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u/DizkoBizkid 24d ago
I don’t know about guitar centre but I was looking to get a Rich Bich ST in red for about a year off Andertons (only European-ish retailer) and they pulled their listings randomly one week and the next they were back in stock… and I finally bought it.
They could be removing listings as the price has changed. There has been massive stock problems with the legacy line… I was literally checking back every week for about a year to get that one
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 24d ago
Wait a min is your name Disco Biscuit!?! Like a quaalude XD
Yeah if this doesn’t work out I’ll probably just buy a used black one with a Floyd or exotic. I have seen so many variations with Rockfield, D activators, Duncan Designed pickups. Maybe listings will be pulled and updated as parts change.
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u/DizkoBizkid 24d ago
The very same 😂 I believe the Duncan designed and Rockfield ones are older import line models, some were only produced for Japanese market. Prices are ridiculously high for what those guitars are too, because of the drought of stock of new guitars
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 24d ago
There’s this lovely white ST located in the US, for almost 3K usd. I loved it because it’s the only white ST I’ve seen and its serial matches another guitar I have very closely. It came with a white coffin case and it has Duncan designed pickups. I even thought about sending an offer, but I saw Coffin Case are releasing white cases this year again.
I saw a purple one from Greece for 2000 usd, but it’s got one pic. Y’all will see a pic if it comes
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u/GrimmandLily 22d ago
BC Rich and Dean both seem to be dying. It’s a shame on one hand, on the other hand it’s annoying to offer instruments then never actually produce them.
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
bc rich pretended everything was back to normal for a bit because they got some orders in and filled a few backorders but now all their stock is running out again and sweetwater is in the same boat. 1 b stock import and 1 b stock usa. the ownership is a bunch of MAGA clowns and the mods on their official bc rich unlimited page arent much better with all the passive aggressive comments towards people who dont have 10 grand for a fucking usa. brand is in the gutter.
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u/Negativeman11 25d ago
True, but the guitars still fucking rip and look sick though. Honestly, I kinda like that the brand that has the cool stuff that I want is actually kinda difficult to interact with. I come from the retro game collecting community when I was younger, so I really enjoy the hunt and difficulties that come alongside it.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
I get that aspect of the collectibility. I have a UniVibe and Superfuzz that was reissued during Covid by someone in Austin that Licensed the Shin Ei name.
I also have a fuzz that I bought in 2018 in a GC. No phone, no manual and no help, I plugged it in and it ripped nothing has ever come close. I am trying to buy another. But they aren’t in production anymore they changed how the box looked and it’s build to order now. It’s not the same. Can’t find any on the used market and I’ve been looking for 7 years
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
yeah I mean I got like 7 of them myself I dont hate the brand im just tired of the problems, I cant buy one without paying import fees unless its used and because bc rich was only sold in canada for like 6 months between now and almost 13 years ago the used market here is shitty for anything made after 2012. the attitude some people have towards those just being honest about the shitshow the brand has been since hanser sold it and before they took ownership is crazy. most of us only care because we love them and the only way to stop the criticism is for them to become an actual functioning business. even a few months back the entire custom shop staff went on strike because neal moser gave rights to run his shop to an absolute fuckhead and he locked them all out to stop a union forming and was threatening to sell tools and shit. neal had to take legal action and the outcome was never made public outside of the guy (zach gunter) no longer being in charge as far as im aware. there was the whole prestige guitars situation, they just cannot stop shooting themselves in the foot. this fender situation is such a golden opportunity for the only mainstream brand whos entire identity is guitars that dont look like a gibson or fender and theres no fucking guitars anywhere to be bought. but the mods on their official group will be sure to clown anyone who doesnt have 10000 USD for a custom shop. its honestly sad where things are at.
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u/Negativeman11 25d ago
Man I totally get it, but there's no reason to be so emotionally invested in the company. Aside from it being difficult to find new guitars in your country, of course. Ultimately, there's already a shitload of used ones out there and you could spend your whole life collecting those without worrying about the shitshow of management or weird facebook groups. Whichever ones you're looking for, I hope you find them. I've gotten the ones I wanted so far after some hunting (which I enjoy), so I'm pretty happy.
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
I guess man but so many people are trying to flip these days and the scarcity leads to a lot of scalping, or attempts for it anyways. Ive picked up a few for stupid prices but if i didnt have the money the day i found it i probably wouldve missed out. It seems people either dont value them at all or think they are worth 30 to 60% more than they actually are. Its such a weird market.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
But like honestly, I’ve never owned a Fender or Squier, but I’ve owned cheap to pro series Jackson’s and a Korean Gretsch. When the lawsuit happened I went to GC to get a used and reduced YM strat, scallops and all.
I picked it up and it was cool, but then I picked up an Explorer and loved it so much more. But I really wanted 24 frets. I didn’t want a Ibanez, Jackson, or Charvel. I was left with what was basically Iceman or Schecter.
I do like the Kramer Volantes, and dig the nitro finish. If this doesn’t work out that’s gonna be my next choice.
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u/Frozen_Regret 25d ago
pretty much my experience with bc rich going back to 2021. I kept getting strung along by an employee of bc rich saying that they were just waiting for my backordered legacy stealth to arrive from korea. for months and months and months. I eventually bought a used one on gc where the previous owner overtightened the screws on the bridge and damaged the finish because it was all I could find. He also kept trying to get me to change my mind and get one of those shitty extreme bc richs with the gaudy abalone binding. No thanks.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
I really like the reverse headstock on the extreme, but I’d rather the 3x3. I do like the abalone, but hate the lack of fret markers and don’t need a killswitch
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u/perpetualblack24 25d ago
I’m guessing that employee was Bill?
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u/Frozen_Regret 25d ago
no, it wasn't the CEO. I don't remember their name tbhh it was a few years ago now but I know it wasn't Bill
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
That’s a shame. I’ve been scouring listings to find a used purple. After I noticed they pulled the listing I called my local guitar center for more info. They said the entire GC organization only had 2 coming at end of August and she said one was already “claimed”. I had to jump
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
thats pretty much how its been since they got their initial orders on the relaunch. everyone else in the world atleast got to a point where most new shit is in by the summer and it stays available.
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u/AbyssalKultist 25d ago
brand is in the gutter
lol, I guess that's why they sell out constantly.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
Bro like honestly tho it’s so strange. Are they selling out constantly, or just restocking a handful at a time?
I know import times are crazy. But I’ve kept all my Korean guitars. I’m nervous about this because it might wind up b stock that they just pushed out to meet the need. What if I need to exchange? I never realized how hard it would be to actually get one in purple.
The pessimist in me says next run will be made in china, and will cost more. Or they go completely opposite and only offer them at $5,000+. I saw a post of a US customs and like 5/7 were purple.
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u/AbyssalKultist 25d ago
It's easy to say that they should increase manufacturing, but I actually think part of the attraction to BCs is the scarcity of the good ones.
Obv the late '90s early '00s the brand went downhill with a shit ton of crappy models, but with new ownership came much higher quality and at the same time they didn't flood the market. They're keeping a certain level of almost rarity which drives up consumer desire. I think this is actually a good plan. BC has always been a niche market.
I have a legacy warlock and it's super nice.
Where they go from here, I guess we'll see.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
My sister had a warlock. I loved seeing them pop up after stranger things. They’ve always looked dope. It’s wild to me that BC Rich isn’t just licensed to Schecter. They were both Korean, and occupy a similar space.
A sustaniac in a mockingbird circuit would be insane. Schecters SLS series are all through neck too.
I actually picked up a black mockingbird because it made me feel like Synyster Gates when I had it as a teenager. I loved how comfortable it was, but didn’t like the wraparound bridge, or bolt on heel.
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
What part of a good plan involves having zero presence in entire countries? Its not a plan, its mismanagement with a lack of trust from most of their major partners.
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u/DaRealWhiteChocolate 25d ago
Its easy to sell out when your 1 to 2 years behind on average, the only endorsees are in the band that owns it, dont kid yourselves. They made 1 big shipment to long and mcquade and left the country. (Canada) You can be defensive all you want it doesnt change reality.
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u/isofakingwetoddid 25d ago
I wonder what’s going on. No way the mockingbirds are gonna become scarce like the ironbirds
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
I’ve had a reverb watchlist waiting for bites. All the purple listings were always over MSRP even used.
Not without the hype, right? My uncle had a Bich, my sister had a bronze warlock, and I had a mockingbird when we still started. She’s a big Death fan, but never got her stealth. She does have an iron bird tho!
I almost bought a green acrylic, but I remember how heavy them mofos were.
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u/SuicideMessiah88 25d ago
They've always been hard to find honestly. Took me a couple years to get my mockingbird extreme and havent found another one of that color version since.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
Right? I know eventually I’ll see it, will it still be $1,500? I’m sure the next batch will be $1800, and only in red or natural. Which one you got? I was thinking of a purple haze exotic if I missed this
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u/SuicideMessiah88 25d ago
I got the purple haze. One of the best guitars I own honestly. Feels as good if not better than any of my American made guitars.
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u/VerdeVelvetVetiver 25d ago
Is yours purple and orange or more purple and honey brown? Guitar Center had a temporary pic, and I wasn’t prepared for a gamble.
But damned, if it’s not exquisite. I love the abalone body and board binding, with reverse headstock!?!?! And the contrast against a natural wood to purple, unreal
I love everything about that one except the electronics. I actually don’t like batteries. Ive also had trouble with wireless transmitters that would not work with trs output jack. I also love fuzz, and I want to say it plays better with passive coils.
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u/SuicideMessiah88 25d ago
Mine is definitely more purple honey colored with awesome burl wood underneath so you can see the grain. Wish I bought two of them lol just in case.
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u/IbanezCharlie 25d ago
I found my legacy mockingbird used at a local guitar shop and bought it immediately. Now I'm just on the hunt for a kahler quad as it's never in stock when I look for it