Is this a real USA BC Rich - or Ed Roman?

[JJ-A]

I bought this guitar second hand some 20 years ago, not knowing much about it. Over the years I've tried to look up some information on the internet now and then, but the only ones I can find some info on are korean made bolt-on and set-necks, so I'm not sure if this is either american or korean made, since it's a neck-thru and the electronic layout is also slightly different. There are a few blurry pictures on the net though, but that doesn't really help much. The only place I ever found some information about it was on the old homepage of that Ed Roman guy from Vegas, where he showed an exact model like mine, except his had gold hardware. That was the first time I ever had heard of that guy, and he wrote something about how he was involved in designing this guitar if I remember correctly, but after doing some research on him - well... ohh no...
Long story short: has any of you guys out there ever owned one of these or seen one for sale? It has a five digit serialnumber stamped into the fretboard and Grover tuners, don't know about the pickups but the bridge one looks like an oldschool DiMarzio, but I could be wrong.
Any help appreciated.

 

[cardinal]

it was called the Exclusive, I think. Looks like a BC Rich.

 

[nightsprinter]

Cardinal nailed it

 

[migstopheles]

that headstock looks way off though, no?

 

[nightsprinter]

that headstock looks way off though, no?

Only pics I see being potato pics make it hard

At first I was suspicious of the R logo being off center, but the specimen in the press photo on the left seems to have the same off centered thing going on.

Maybe the world will never know.

 

[ZLE]

Well whatever it is,definately it's an eye turner

 

[Grindspine]

Yes, that is a B.C. Rich Exclusive.

Seeing the R on the headstock and the control cavity cover that is proud to the surface (not flush) along with the mention of the serial number stamped into the fretboard are three noteworthy 1996-2005 era B.C. Rich USA construction habits.

So, it does look like a legit B.C. Rich USA Exclusive FT.

Moar better pics please though!

 

[mehegama]

that headstock looks way off though, no?

it looks identical to me

 

[JJ-A]

Thank you very much for your response so far.
I apologize for the lack of quality of the pictures, they seem to get a bit garbled during the transfer from phone to computer.
I agree the model is called Exclusive, although mine seems to have slightly longer and different shaped horns if you compare it to the add nightsprinter posted af picture of, mine looks a bit more like a Strat in that area I think.
I'll try to take better pictures tomorrow, 'cos it's 8:40 PM here right now, so pretty dark and I haven't got decent lightning for somewhat decent pictures.
I took a picture of the serialnumber at noon though, so I'll post that real quick. Grindspine's comment on that gave me some peace of mind though, so thank you for that.
If someone would like to see a specific part of the guitar just let me now, and I'll try to take a picture of that. And yes, the R-logo is slightly offset, as if they wanted to put it in the middle of the highest point on the headstock, hard to tell what they were thinking...

 

[JJ-A]

Here are some additional pictures of the BCR, they didn't turn out perfectly though.
I pulled the cavity cover and it says 'UTAH'... because... why not..? and then 6 TR or TL and then 6 again plus something - everything makes sense now... Great handwriting by the way...
I took some pictures of the neck as well, I don't know what kind of wood this is but I think it looks absolutely gorgeous.

 

[JJ-A]

 

[JJ-A]

 

[nightsprinter]

Hog neck?

 

[JJ-A]

Vielleicht nightsprinter, das kann man nie wissen Alter...

 

[nightsprinter]

I'm still saying African Mahogany/Khaya because I don't know no better.

 

[Shawn]

Cardinal nailed it

View attachment 158269

Those are kinda cool.

 

[Grindspine]

Thank you very much for your response so far.
I apologize for the lack of quality of the pictures, they seem to get a bit garbled during the transfer from phone to computer.
I agree the model is called Exclusive, although mine seems to have slightly longer and different shaped horns if you compare it to the add nightsprinter posted af picture of, mine looks a bit more like a Strat in that area I think.
I'll try to take better pictures tomorrow, 'cos it's 8:40 PM here right now, so pretty dark and I haven't got decent lightning for somewhat decent pictures.
I took a picture of the serialnumber at noon though, so I'll post that real quick. Grindspine's comment on that gave me some peace of mind though, so thank you for that.
If someone would like to see a specific part of the guitar just let me now, and I'll try to take a picture of that. And yes, the R-logo is slightly offset, as if they wanted to put it in the middle of the highest point on the headstock, hard to tell what they were thinking...View attachment 158285

From that serial number, I can even say that it's a 1996 production. B.C. Rich typically tried to start serial numbers with the year, although certain heavy years in the late eighties they were known for getting off track from producing more than 1000 guitars a year.

Also, the control cavity cover having all of the pots connected to a thin brass plate is another B.C. Rich thing. My USA Warlock NT had the same style cavity layout with the grounding all to that plate.

 

[JJ-A]

Thanks a lot Grindspine - cool. I'm thinking about putting the guitar up for sale at some point, so it's great to get confirmation it's actually the real thing, now I only gotta find out how much it might be worth, but I guess a Mockingbird or Eagle with similar specs and age might be a good place to look for some info on pricing.

 

[DrewMH]

It looks legit man and really sick! I have an email for someone who has all the bc rich info, he can look it up from the serial number. I can try to find it and send to you if you want.

 

[twguitar]

Cool! You don't see too many of the handmade Exclusives, especially the flat tops.

Ive got one from the same era that was never finished up I got when BCR was last sold but its a fantastic feeling guitar. Real oddballs for BCR, a mix of Gibson & PRS obviously in feel but with a 25.5 scale. Most the spec lists in this era say mahogany neck and bodies but you always see a big contrast in the colour of them. Im guessing they used two different species of mahogany, in some cases it looks more like korina/limba too like mine.
Id suggest the cavity writing is GTR CTR (guitar centre) Utah. You do occasionally see dealers names in the cavities.
Very cool guitar!