Up for sale, a 1997 B.C. Rich Mockingbird SL in collector-grade, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and factory documentation. This stunningly clean, top-tier B.C. Rich was made in the USA at the Hesperia, CA factory and ostensibly ordered for Japanese import, via the factory documentation. Produced at a time when Bernie Rico Sr. was once again at the helm of the B.C. Rich company, this Mockingbird is also notable for retaining Rico’s signature, signed just two years before his death.
The absolute top of the line for B.C. Rich USA production, this Mockingbird features mahogany neck-through construction with mahogany body wings, rosewood stringers, a quilted maple top, and 24-fret ebony fingerboard. The Seymour Duncan pickup complement comprises an SH-2 Jazz in the neck position and a TB-5 Custom Trembucker in the bridge. One of Duncan’s most versatile humbuckers; the neck position SH-2 Jazz model pickup features an Alnico V bar magnet and special coil wind, delivering a glassy treble response and full, tight bass, with scooped mids for optimal clarity even under high gain or high speed. The TB-5 Custom Trembucker at the bridge yields aggressive midrange, treble attack, and exceptional sustain, perfect for screaming solos, with great harmonic density. These pickups were wound by Seymour Duncan’s Lidia Daniel, as identified by the L-suffix stickers on their baseplates. Weighing 9lbs 3oz, this Mockingbird SL has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 9-42 strings, slinky action, and spot-on intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Slender D, full shoulders, measuring .810” 1st fret, .840” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, diamond abalone inlay
-Frets: Jumbo, pristine
-Scale Length: 24 5/8”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, locking
-Tuners: Grover Rotomatics
-Serialization: 97-prefix serial on fretboard, “Made in USA” and Bernie Rico Sr. signature on back of peghead
Body Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany wings (rosewood stringers), quilted maple top
-Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-2 Jazz (neck), TB-5 Custom Trembucker (bridge), L-suffix stickers
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Schaller Floyd Rose-licensed tremolo, flat-top knurled knobs
-Plastics: Matte black pickup surrounds, cavity covers retain factory protective film
Remarkably well-kept with barely a scratch on it, the gloss Trans Red finish highlights the dimensional figuring in the quilted maple top. The gloss on the neck profile is similarly flawless.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included, along with the Japanese import paperwork and factory documentation (dated 10/24/2000).