From the days when Heavy metal ruled the world! The BC Rich 2021 lineup of the mid-range “Extreme series is really impressive! This year we see all new features applied to classic shapes and designs!
Way back in the 1980’s Heavy Metal was at the top of the charts all of over the world! Shredding was in full force, and many virtuoso players came into the limelight. Guitar endorsements were being handed out left and right to these phenomenal players.
But the 1980’s was also all about excess and extremes. This was noticeable in all facets of the Metal genre. The songwriting was about excess and wild parties. The image of most bands were out of this world as well!
Think spandex and huge hair!
To go along with the extreme image that these famous players were rocking, they needed some very extreme looking guitars to compliment the look! This is where BC Rich stepped in. We have already seen some great Metal-oriented brands release their 2021 offerings, and today we take a look at the new BC Rich 2021 lineup “Extreme” Series!
The BC Rich 2021 Lineup: What Is The Extreme Series?
The newer BC Rich Extreme Series takes all of the company’s classic designs and puts a brand new modern twist on each model! The classic lineup dating back to the late 70’s and the entirety of the 80’s is all here, with more modern features and a pretty fair price tag!
Now if you still want a “classic” BC Rich, identical to the ones in the 80’s then you can still get those from the “Legacy” collection or from the USA Custom Shop. The Legacy models follow all the original specs that make BC Rich famous in the first place.
So let’s take a look at the new lineup!
The Ironbird Exotic
Kicking off the BC Rich 2021 Lineup is the Ironbird Exotic. The Ironbird is known for being quite possibly the most extreme shape that BC Rich makes. It may look like it would be uncomfortable to play, but the the Ironbird is actually incredibly ergonomic when sitting, and standing to play.
The IronBird Exotic comes packed with features:
- Poplar Burl Top
- Mahogany “Nyatah Palaquium” Body
- Neck through construction
- Abalone binding
- 5-piece Maple/Wenge neck for stability
- Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Set
- Indian Ebony fretboard
- Floyd Rose 1000 series
Something that is new about all of the neck through construction guitars from Bc Rich, is the deep heel cut. This allows you to get to the 24th fret with absolute ease. So no more fighting your guitar to hit those high notes! There’s nothing more frustrating than a hefty neck joint getting in your way of upper fret access.
I think this new Ironbird Exotic is gorgeous with the Abalone Binding, but I understand that is a matter of taste. Almost all of the Extreme Series comes with Fishman Pickups right out of the box, also.
The Floyd 1000 series is about as good as it gets when it comes to mass produced guitars, and to be honest, it is very close to being an authentic Floyd. It holds tune well, and you can dive-bomb to your heart’s content.
But the ironbird Exotic on kicks off the new BC Rich 2021 lineup! There is plenty more!
The JR-V Series
The JR-V series has been around a long time, and is a staple of BC Rich Guitars. Kerry King is a notable player of the V-Style BC Rich models, as well as many other artists in the Metal Community.
The JR-V series is new this year with it’s different finish options, and wood choices. You have a couple of different models to choose from. The Exotic series features beautiful Burl tops, while the regular series comes in flat black.
In my opinion, both look very handsome! Although I am partial to satin finishes, the exotic ones look amazing too! The feature set is very similar between both models:
- Mahogany “Nyatoh Palaquium” body
- 5-piece Maple/Wenge neck for stability
- Abalone binding
- Killswitch
- Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
- Indian Ebony fingerboard
- Grover tuners
- Floyd Rose 1000
- Abalone 12th fret inlay
I have always enjoyed the V-Series from BC Rich. They are usually well balanced, without any weird neck dive when standing. The BC Rich 2021 lineup seems to take the original JR-V and just customize it further with modern updates.
The Legendary Mockingbird Series
The BC Rich 2021 Lineup would not be complete without at least one Mockingbird Model! This was the design that really put BC Rich on the map, and has been used by many professionals over the years, most notably….Slash!
You have four different Mockingbird models to choose from this year, and they are all full of awesome after-market features.
- Mockingbird Exotic with Evertune bridge
- Mockingbird Exotic with Floyd Rose
- Mockingbird Extreme with Evertune
- Mockingbird Extreme with Floyd Rose
The BC Rich Mockingbird design came about in 1975. The first production models started around 1976, and were very well received by players everywhere. This was a few years after the “Warlock” had become popular also.
Since there are basically four options, it would be easier to see what all of The Mockingbird models have in common, feature-wise:
- Mahogany “Nyatoh Palaquium” body
- 5-piece Maple/Wenge neck for stability
- Abalone binding
- Killswitch
- Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
- Indian Ebony fingerboard
- Grover tuners
- Floyd Rose 1000/Evertune Bridge
- Abalone 12th fret inlay
The biggest choice when it comes to the different models, is going to be the bridge design. It seems like almost every company now offers an Evertune option. I can see why, especially for touring musicians.
The Evertune never needs a setup after the initial one, and can withstand just about any abuse and still stay in tune. It is completely mechanical, so you never need to worry about failures.
But some people will prefer to have the famous Floyd Rose trem. personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with either option. It is all up to your play style.
7 And 8 String Exotic “Shredzilla”
When you think of extended range instruments, BC Rich is probably not one of the first names that comes to mind. But the Bc Rich 2021 Lineup sets out to change that with the Shredzilla 7 and 8 string guitars.
The 7 string features differ only in scale length. The 7 string sits at 25.5” scale, while the 8 string variant is baritone scale at 27”. Otherwise, both guitars share very similar features when it comes to construction.
- Mahogany “Nyatoh Palaquium” body
- 5-piece Maple/Wenge neck for stability
- Abalone binding
- Killswitch
- Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
- Macassar Ebony fingerboard
- Grover tuners
- Fixed bridge
- Abalone 3rd fret inlay
The Shredzilla models are probably the least extreme shapes of all the BC Rich 2021 lineup. These are classic ‘super strat” style guitars, with a sexy reverse headstock.
The only complaint I can see from extended range players is the scale length on the 7 string variant. The 25.5” scale is just fine for standard tuning. But if you’re looking to tune lower than say, A Standard, then the 7 string is not ideal.
But let’s get to the absolute star of the show…
The 2021 Warbeast/Warlock Series
This is the guitar that made BC Rich a legend, and is by far the most “metal” guitar I can think of! Just like the rest of the BC Rich 2021 Lineup, the Warbeast/Warlock has been subject to a little bit of a makeover! While still retaining the classic shape.
Bernie Rico designed the Warlock in 1969, and was not impressed at all by his efforts at first:
“This was the only guitar I ever designed at a drafting table, using straight-edges and French curves. It was lots of curves going into straight lines. At first I thought it was the ugliest guitar I’d ever designed.”
I suppose to some people, this shape is much too extreme! But to others, it perfectly encapsulates their entire aesthetic. There are two versions of each model this year. You have the “Exotic” and you have the “Extreme Standard”. Other than the top woods used, they share the same set of features.
- Mahogany “Nyatoh Palaquium” body
- 5-piece Maple/Wenge neck for stability
- Abalone binding
- Killswitch
- Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
- Indian Ebony fingerboard
- Grover tuners
- Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
- Abalone 12th fret inlay
The Bc Rich 2021 lineup really knocks it out of the park with these beautiful redesigns of classic Warlock guitars. The features that the Extreme series carries throughout each model really stands out on the Warbest/Warlock series.
The BC Rich 2021 Lineup: Wrapping Up
I have always thought that BC Rich got bullied a little bit by other, larger guitar companies. Most people see the lower end models from BC Rich, and they think that is all that they have to offer. This new BC Rich 2021 lineup of Extreme Series guitars will hopefully turn some heads!
Keep in mind that these are not cheap in any manner of the word. These are great, mid-tier models made for intermediate guitarists. Prices run between $1400-$1600 due to all of the premium features. Is that a fair price?
That depends on you. personally, I feel like you are getting a ton of features for the price tag, as every single component is basically a full upgrade. It seems like the BC Rich 2021 Lineup is taking some cues from other companies, like ESP/LTD when it comes to features.
I think this kind of competition is very healthy for manufacturers! When you think about it, its a win for both the companies and the consumer!
Find your closest BC Rich Dealer today!
Are BC Rich guitars worth it?
The mid-tier models and USA Custom Shop are both definitely worth it! They have features galore, and they are well made instruments.
Is the new BC Rich 2021 lineup expensive?
Most of the models that have premium features are between $800-$1600. They have a less expensive Chinese import line also.
Where is the BC Rich 2021 lineup of Extreme models made?
The new models are all made in South Korea, at the same factory as Schecter and ESP/LTD. This factory is known for outstanding quality.
Do any of the Bc Rich 2021 lineup guitars come with a case?
No. The case is sold separately.
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