Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $1,100

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash your inner rock god with the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar, a modern nod to the iconic super S-style guitars that dominated the soundscape of the '80s. This electric guitar is a powerhouse of style and sound, crafted with a lightweight alder body that offers both comfort and durability. Engineered for speed, the Shredzilla Ultra Slim Contour neck ensures lightning-fast playability, allowing you to glide effortlessly across its 22 jumbo frets.

This guitar is not just about looks; it's a sonic titan equipped with a trio of USA-made Seymour Duncan pickups. The SH-6 bridge humbucker delivers raw, distortion-laden power perfect for hard rock and metal, while two SSL-6 single-coil pickups add versatility, providing warm, rich tones suitable for a variety of genres. The Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo ensures that your dive-bombs and harmonic squeals remain in perfect tune, no matter how wild your performance gets.

Designed for players who demand precision and reliability, the ST-3 features a straightforward control setup with a 3-way blade switch and master Volume and Tone knobs, making tonal adjustments quick and intuitive. The Grover locking tuners offer exceptional tuning stability, ensuring you stay in tune through every riff and solo.

Key Features:

  • Lightweight alder body with comfortable contours
  • Bolt-on maple neck with Shredzilla Ultra Slim Contour
  • 14" fingerboard radius with 22 jumbo frets
  • SSH configuration of USA-made Seymour Duncan pickups
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo for tuning stability
  • Grover locking tuners
  • Simple control scheme with 3-way blade switch and Volume/Tone knobs

Product specs

Model ST3 Retro II
Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape BC Rich Doublecut
Body Material Alder
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Maple
Neck Shape Shredzilla Ultra Slim Contour
Neck Joint Bolt-on
Radius 14"
Fingerboard Inlay Dots
Number of Frets 22, Jumbo, Nickel
Scale Length 25.5"
Nut Width 1.625"
Nut Material Floyd Rose
Bridge/Tailpiece Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double Locking Tremolo
Tuners Grover Locking, 18:1
Neck Pickup Seymour Duncan SSL-6 Single-coil
Middle Pickup Seymour Duncan SSL-6 Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Seymour Duncan SH-6 Humbucker
Controls 1 x volume, 1 x tone
Switching 3-way blade pickup switch
Strings D'Addario NYXL, .009-.042
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar like?

The B.C. Rich ST-3 features a Shredzilla Ultra Slim Contour neck, designed for fast and comfortable playing, making it ideal for shredding and complex solos.

What kind of pickups does the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar have?

The B.C. Rich ST-3 is equipped with Seymour Duncan SSL-6 single-coils in the neck and middle positions and a Seymour Duncan SH-6 humbucker in the bridge, providing versatile tones suitable for rock and metal.

Is the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?

While the B.C. Rich ST-3 is beginner-friendly due to its comfortable neck and versatile pickups, it is particularly appealing to intermediate and advanced players who appreciate its high-performance features.

Does the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar come with a case?

The B.C. Rich ST-3 does not include a case or gig bag, so you will need to purchase one separately to protect your guitar.

What type of bridge does the B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar use?

The B.C. Rich ST-3 features a Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double Locking Tremolo, offering excellent tuning stability and allowing for expressive pitch manipulation.

JaPanHouseGuiTarVintage

JaPanHouseGuiTarVintage

Bc Rich ST-3 Japan / Japanhouse

Video thumbnail for Bc Rich ST-3 Japan / Japanhouse by JaPanHouseGuiTarVintage

Bc Rich ST-3 Japan / Japanhouse

JaPanHouseGuiTarVintage

JaPanHouseGuiTarVintage

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend swapping EMG Select single coil pickups for Seymour Duncan Classic Stacks for a balanced tone in classic rock and blues.

    Source
  • The mention of a licensed Floyd Rose, rather than an original, suggests potential limitations in stability and performance, affecting overall resale value.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The headstock of the B.C. Rich ST-3 is affectionately known as the "harpoon," adding a distinctive aesthetic appeal.

    Source
  • Some ST-3 models may come with a Bend Master bridge, often mistaken for a Kahler, influencing tremolo performance.

    Source
  • The B.C. Rich ST-3 features independent toggle switches for each pickup, allowing any combination of pickups to be activated.

    Source

Build quality

  • Older B.C. Rich models are noted for using higher-quality woods and hardware compared to post-late 90s versions, which saw a decline in material quality.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Highly modified ST-III models, especially those assembled from separate parts, generally fetch less on resale markets, with prices around $500-$600.

    Source
  • A rare left-handed 1987 B.C. Rich ST-III was purchased for $799, but it's estimated to be worth double or more due to rarity.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of older B.C. Rich guitars value them for their historical quality and niche appeal, despite modifications or incomplete original setups.

    Source
  • Owners report that the glossy finish on these guitars is typically in excellent condition, described as "minty" even after many years.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Gotoh 1988T bridge on the ST-3 is preferred over original Floyd Rose bridges for its improved string tension and fine tuner performance.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
zane_embryocide

Great guitar to have.

After yanking out all but the Bridge Pickup and Volume knob this guitar suits me perfect. Super fast and light guitar. Sounds killer.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Petrucci uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

John Petrucci

Guitarist, Composer

Dream Theater

...
Verified via YouTube

Assuming this is the guitar he used in this video due to the style of the headstock

See how Dave Mustaine uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Dave Mustaine

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

Mustaine was a B.C. Rich user between 1983-1987, he played various models like the Bich, Mockingbird, and ST's

See how Matt Pike uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Matt Pike

Guitarist

Sleep

...
Verified via Photo

Here is a really rare photo of a young Matt using a superstrat, which it seems to be an 80s Platinum Series B.C. Rich ST3 MIJ (circa 1991).

See how Billy Howerdel uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Billy Howerdel

Guitarist, Bassist

A Perfect Circle

...
Verified via Ultimate-guitar

Then I went and bought a BC Rich ST3 - the Strat because I wanted a wammy bar and more pickups and I just wanted the versatility. I could only afford to have one guitar so I wanted something that would do more things. I wound up putting different pickups in it and splitting the coils, just thirsty to get into things. But I regretted it - it felt like a downgrade of quality but it was an upgrade in accessibility. Then I wound up stripping all the paint off of it with a belt sander and drilling holes through it and then I started dipping it into liquid rubber, you know that stuff you put on screwdrivers to make the handles. So that guitar is sitting in my storage unit right now just sort of Frankensteined and half an art project. It actually plays OK.

See how Chris Poland uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Chris Poland

Guitarist

Megadeth

...
Verified via Photo

He was known to use a BC Rich ST-III Neck-Thru during his time in Megadeth

See how Tony MacAlpine uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Tony MacAlpine

Guitarist

The G3 Jam

...
Verified via YouTube

In the 1987 Japanese TV broadcast "Pure Rock Studio Live," Tony MacAlpine is seen playing a B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar, contributing to his distinctive 80s lead tone.

See how Dan Swanö uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Dan Swanö

Guitarist, Audio Engineer

Bloodbath

...
Verified via Musicians-navigator

Dan Swanö utilizes a B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar, equipped with a Roland GK3 pickup, as part of his guitar rig. This setup is integrated with a Roland VG-99 guitar system, allowing for versatile sound modifications. The detailed configuration of his gear, as outlined in the Musicians-navigator article "Dan Swanö - Guitar Gear Rig Update," highlights the ST-3's role in his dynamic live performances and recording sessions.

See how Craig Goldy uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Craig Goldy

Guitarist

Dio

...
Verified via Facebook

In a Facebook post by B.C. Rich, Craig Goldy of Dio is pictured holding a B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar.

See how Damon Good uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

Damon Good

Guitarist, Bassist

Mournful Congregation

...
Verified via Photo

Playing with Cauldron Black Ram, Damon appears to be playing a BC Rich ST-3, specifically a Class Axe-era Platinum model.

See how John Stamos uses B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar

John Stamos

Singer, Guitarist

The Beach Boys

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video, at 0:35 John can be seen playing a black B.C. Rich ST-III.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use B.C. Rich ST-3 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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