B.C. Rich Platinum Pro Mockingbird

This bass was purchased to offset my current Cort GB34A (Musicman Stingray inspired) bass.
I purchased it October 22 '04 from The Guitar Factory Parramatta (Sydney Australia), who got it in for me at an unbeatable price even though they don't usually stock Rico's. The deal included a Behringer Ultrabass BX1200 and the total price was AUD$1280 including padded gig bag.
Talk to Bronson or Shaun, tell 'em Barry Newton gave the recco, no need to be pushy. Good guys both.

This is one schmick black beauty and is a stunner to look at. The artistic design is (IMHO) just one of the very best shapes ever produced.
The finish is deeply glossy black which is offset by chrome knobs and heavily chromed solid molded adjustable bridge and tuners, and the neck bolt-on plate at back is moulded BC Rich, chromed, and has the serial number perfectly scribed in ~ a lovely touch of detail and craftsmanship.
The neck and fretting is equally well finished with rosewood fretboard on what appears to be light honey coloured hard rock maple neck. The woods used are of the highest quality ~ no flaws whatsoever.
The headstock joint is almost invisible which means perfect join, and the headstock is deeply finished gloss black with B.C. Rich signature in white & Mockingbird on truss-rod cover. The twin/twin pickups are similarly signed BC Rich and the sound that comes out of them is at least triple what I get with identical settings from my Cort GB34A, though (not unexpectedly) much more metallic!
Two tone knobs, one volume plus a three way (1,2, 1&2) p'up switch gives excellent tonal range and adjustability.
It also fits into the lap a treat when sitting.



Not balanced neck and body, but that's well known

Might be a good idea to ask for it to be set up at point of sale if you don't like doing it yourself. Mine was straight out of the box and the truss-rod required relieving more than half a turn reduced tension due to upper register fret buzz. A bit of bridge raising was also needed, but that's about normal pre-delivery.
The pickups were not sitting flat or straight, but hey! ~ I didn't ask for it to be set up, so it's all good and easy to set right.
The only 'fault' I could give is that there is an ever so slight gap where neck joins body that I can slip my index fingernail into on both sides. Comparatively, my Cort has a perfect neck to body fit.

This is the Axxe you need if you love a punchy sound with a razor sharp look.


This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com