Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $614

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The B.C. Rich Mockingbird is a statement piece for any guitarist looking to turn heads and ears alike. This solid body electric guitar combines sleek design with high-octane performance, making it perfect for both stage and studio. The Mockingbird's distinctive body shape is not just for show; it offers excellent accessibility for higher frets, allowing for fluid transitions during solos and complex chord changes.

Constructed with a mahogany body, the Mockingbird delivers rich, resonant tones that cater to a wide array of musical styles—from metal to blues. Its dual humbucker pickups provide the power and clarity needed for cutting through a mix, while the individual volume and tone controls give you the flexibility to shape your sound precisely. The guitar also features a rosewood fretboard that ensures smooth playability and is fitted with 24 jumbo frets for added comfort.

The Mockingbird is equipped with a Tune-O-Matic bridge that ensures stable tuning and intonation, even after heavy use. Whether you're shredding on stage or laying down tracks in the studio, this guitar is designed to keep up with your creativity. Its iconic design and reliable hardware make it a solid choice for musicians who demand both style and substance from their instruments.

Key Features:

  • Solid mahogany body for rich, resonant tones
  • Dual humbucker pickups for powerful sound
  • Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge for stable tuning and intonation
  • Iconic body shape for enhanced playability and style

Product specs

Brand B.C. Rich
Model Mockingbird Standard
Finish Black, Black Pearl, Blue, Blue Green Pearl, Blue Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst, Dark Blue Pearl, Glitter Rock White, Green, Light Blue Pearl, Natural, Orozeta, Pearl White, Pink, Red, Rude Pink, Tobacco Sunburst, Ultraviolet, Violet
Year 1976 - 1987
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Neck-Through
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.6"

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the B.C. Rich Mockingbird?

The B.C. Rich Mockingbird features a neck-through construction with a comfortable profile that is designed for fast playability and access to all 24 frets, making it ideal for shredding and complex solos.

What kind of tones can I expect from the B.C. Rich Mockingbird's pickups?

The B.C. Rich Mockingbird is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, delivering a powerful and versatile tone suitable for a wide range of music styles, from classic rock to heavy metal.

Is the B.C. Rich Mockingbird suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the B.C. Rich Mockingbird offers advanced features that appeal to experienced players, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners looking to invest in a quality instrument.

What kind of bridge does the B.C. Rich Mockingbird have?

The B.C. Rich Mockingbird is equipped with a wrap-around bridge/tailpiece, which contributes to its sustain and stable tuning, allowing for precise intonation and easy string changes.

How does the neck-through construction of the B.C. Rich Mockingbird affect its performance?

The neck-through construction of the B.C. Rich Mockingbird enhances sustain and resonance, providing a seamless feel across the neck that facilitates smooth transitions and access to higher frets.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about B.C. Rich Mockingbird.

Build quality

  • The Masterpiece line features bolt-on necks, which some players find less desirable compared to neck-thru or set-thru designs.

    Source
  • The volume knobs might be slightly crooked, but this is easily fixable; the neck, nut, and bridge are set up perfectly.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Originally priced around $350-$400, these guitars are sometimes overpriced in secondary markets, with prices reaching $1k, which is considered excessive.

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Comparisons

  • The Masterpiece Mockingbird is lighter than other B.C. Rich models, providing a different feel during play.

    Source
  • The guitar is heavier than a Jackson Dinky but lighter than an Explorer.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Upgrading pickups can significantly enhance the guitar's performance, with users reporting impressive results post-modification.

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Use cases and applications

  • The guitar is suitable for players needing humbuckers for genres like rock, but availability varies by region, influencing its market value.

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  • The guitar produces a classic rock tone reminiscent of old Aerosmith albums, rather than a metal sound.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Owners often need to adjust the truss rod for neck relief upon arrival, common across various guitar models.

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Features and functionality

  • The Mockingbird features coil tap switches for each pickup, a phase reversal switch, and a varitone filter that adjusts mid frequencies.

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Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 25 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
weirdhairypants

Gorgeous Guitar

Amazing guitar, sounds great. looks amazing as well. Definitely worth the money.

aron_mccracken

Love the light body and playability

Extremely light body and a great instrument and I keep mine in standard tuning and has a very hard rock tone

Preferred Settings + Usage:

https://youtu.be/KTIQsSniWcs

From Gear Setup
dongosling

Great neck, tone variety and a comfortable guitar to play all night.

The tones suit my style and the playability is second to none. I have about 30 guitars and this is a first choice for electric gigs.

callum_lausberg

Well Built Guitar

Great if you wanna use it for certain things, didn't quite match me in the end but I have used it both live and in the studio. Very versatile tone wise. Whammy system is good. All round beast.

jaime_montalvo

A real bad ass guitar!!!

Heavy as hell and sounds great

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Slash uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Slash

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video from the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration, Slash mentions that one of the first guitars he owned was a late '70s B.C. Rich Mockingbird, which he describes as "a really cool one I had for quite a few years" at the 0:45 mark. In addition to this guitar, Slash owns six other Mockingbirds.

See how Josh Homme uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

...
Verified via YouTube

Josh plays a Mockingbird through this whole 1991 Sons of Kyuss set. The clearest shot can be seen at :33s. He can also be seen playing it on other early Kyuss shows, such as this one in 1991: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx978xayPG0&t=1034s

See how Gary Moore uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Gary Moore

Guitarist, Singer

Thin Lizzy

...
Verified via YouTube

The amazing Gary Moore can be seen here playing a BC Rich Mockingbird, a strange choice to think for him at first but with its wood combination, set neck and very versatile electronics its easy to see where the inspiration has come from.

See how Paul Gilbert uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist

Mr. Big

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Neon Pink

In this photo, Paul Gilbert can be seen using a B.C. Rich Mockingbird guitar.

See how Chris Shiflett uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Chris Shiflett

Guitarist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via YouTube

In the "Foo Fighters' Chris Shiflett Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour 2024" video by Premier Guitar on YouTube, Chris Shiflett discusses his 1983 B.C. Rich Mockingbird guitar at the 11:00 mark.

See how Joe Perry uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Joe Perry

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via Pinterest

In this early photo of Aerosmith we can see Perry with a Red B.C. Rich Mockingbird.

See how Chuck Schuldiner uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Chuck Schuldiner

Singer, Guitarist

Death (Metal Band)

...
Verified via Photo

In this image, Chuck is playing a green mockingbird

See how Kerry King uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Kerry King

Guitarist, Composer

Slayer

...
Verified via Photo

Kerry playing on a B.C. Rich Mockingbird

See how Matt Pike uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Matt Pike

Guitarist

Sleep

...
Verified via Photo

In this old photo of Asbestosdeath, Matt is using a BC Rich Mockingbird

See how Mikael Akerfeldt uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Mikael Akerfeldt

Singer, Guitarist

Opeth

...
Verified via Allaxess
Color/Finish: Black

In this biography, it is confirmed that Mikael Akerfeldt uses a black B.C. Rich Mockingbird electric guitar.

See how Jeff Hanneman uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Jeff Hanneman

Guitarist, Composer

Slayer

...
Verified via Photo

A “rare” photo of Jeff playing Kerry’s B.C. Rich Mockingbird. Approx 1985-1988

See how Stephen O'Malley uses B.C. Rich Mockingbird

Stephen O'Malley

Guitarist

Sunn O)))

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

In this interwiev he talks in the start of carier he using BC Rich Mockingbird

Album Usage

The B.C. Rich Mockingbird has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use B.C. Rich Mockingbird, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
2
Ibanez Tone-Lok FZ7 Fuzz
Ibanez Tone-Lok FZ7 Fuzz Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Devi Ever Rocket Mangler
Devi Ever Rocket Mangler Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Dwarfcraft Devices Wizard of Pitch
Dwarfcraft Devices Wizard of Pitch Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
Mid-Fi Electronics Clari(not)
Mid-Fi Electronics Clari(not) Multi Effects Pedals
1
Malekko Heavy Industry Charlie Foxtrot
Malekko Heavy Industry Charlie Foxtrot Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
Electro-Harmonix The Mole
Electro-Harmonix The Mole Boost Effects Pedals
1

Community setups

Show yours
jakob_h_jensen

jakob_h_jensen

Gear IQ 117

aron_mccracken

aron_mccracken

Gear IQ 561

aron_mccracken

aron_mccracken

Gear IQ 561

shermantypething

shermantypething

Gear IQ 191

1 alternative for B.C. Rich Mockingbird, curated by the Equipboard community.

B.C. Rich Mockingbird Bronze Series

 

cheaper alternative

I’d go with a bronze series since they’re more affordable

More B.C. Rich Solid Body Electric Guitars

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