BC Rich Calibre Classics

[Philly Q]

Has anyone tried out the new Czech-made BC Rich Calibre Classic range, especially the Mockingbird?

The construction looks very tidy indeed (shame they used nato rather than mahogany though).  But there's only so much you can tell from pics and they don't seem to have many dealers (or at least not ones I know).

So, I'm wondering (a) if they're very heavy from all that maple; and (b) what the neck shapes are like - if they're skinny speed necks I can cross them straight off my GAS list.

[psy]

I've seen them around on the net.  They do look good like.  I hope they're heavy.  :)  I love good heavy guitars.  :D  I've got an NJ Classic.  That's nato & maple neck through.  That's canny heavy like.  I'd imagine these would be a similar weight.

[Philly Q]

That's what I thought.  If they are heavy I won't be buying, I'm more of a lightweight kind of guy.

[dave_mc]

any idea how much, philly?

[Philly Q]

They seem to be going for about £700, Dave.  There are cheaper ones on eBay, but then of course there'd be VAT etc to pay.  So for once a domestic purchase might be the best bet, cost-wise.

[indysmith]

Czech made? intriguing. What are the czechs like at building guitars does anyone know?
Same sort of standard as japan, korea, china? (obv aprox)

[Sifu Ben]

A few years ago Dean did a run of Czech made guitars, and many people say they're the equal of their USA made counterparts (which many say is why they weren't made for longer).

[Nadz1lla]

They certainly look very nice, wonder how they play.

[goddamn electric]

A few years ago Dean did a run of Czech made guitars, and many people say they're the equal of their USA made counterparts (which many say is why they weren't made for longer).

I was going to say that, from what i've heard they were brilliant guitars and people are always after the Czech deans. Although the Czech Deans were handmade, anybody know if these are?

[Ratrod]

It's probably the same factory the Deans are made. I've heard great things about the Chech Deans. I'm not shure they were 100% handmade but it's very probable they're hand finished. The reason Dean discontinued them could be because they sold them dirt cheap.

The Chech do have a fine reputation in building violins, celloes and basses.

I haven't seen any Calibres yet but I am curious.

[Philly Q]

They're described as "handcrafted", but that might just mean that 50.0001% of the process is done by hand or something, who knows.

The workmanship certainly looks very tidy in pictures.  Look how neatly the nut and trussrod cover are finished:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BC-Rich-Calibre-Classic-Mockingbird-4AAAA-Quilt-Top-HSC_W0QQitemZ110228249276QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33035QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

To be honest, the thing that most appeals to me is the proper "R" logo on the headstock instead of the modern BC Rich logo.

[dave_mc]

They seem to be going for about £700, Dave.  There are cheaper ones on eBay, but then of course there'd be VAT etc to pay.  So for once a domestic purchase might be the best bet, cost-wise.

ah, that's a bit much (it's probably good value for czech-made, just more than I'd want to spend on one).

if they brought out a czech-made gunslinger retro, it may be different...

Thanks though. :)

[noodleplugerine]

Look very nice - But I could never live with a guitar knowing its a BC Rich - I've only ever experienced the cookie cutter generation of BC Rich.