1981+ BC Rich Warlock
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The introduction of the B.C. Rich Warlock in 1981 marked the beginning of B.C. Rich's rise to iconic status in heavy metal. Over the years since its introduction the Warlock has become a de facto image of a heavy metal guitar, so much so that in 2015 it was selected to represent Metal in the inaugural Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, as well as depicted in the Heavy Metal mockumentary, "This is Spinal Tap"
History & Significance
BC Rich introduced the Warlock in 1981 and is recognizable as "The Heavy Metal Guitar" . The Warlock became a symbol of the 1980s heavy metal scene, embraced by bands like Mötley Crüe (Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx), Slayer, Sepultura (Max Cavalera), and Guns N’ Roses (Slash, whose Warlock was used in Appetite for Destruction recordings).
A 1984 BC Rich Warlock was one of Slash's main guitars from 1984-87 and was used to write Welcome To The Jungle & Sweet Child Of Mine, as well as in many early GnR shows around Hollywood. Slash used this guitar in the first Guns N' Roses show to feature the classic lineup of Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, & Steven Adler in June 1985, as well his audition for Poison in March 1985
Artists & Notable Guitars
Slash's 1984 B.C. Rich Warlock SN 88414 Juliens 11/5/16 $96,000 > Gotta Have Rock & Roll 8/9/25 est $200,000 TBD (images 3,4,5,6)
- This red B.C. Rich Warlock guitar was custom ordered by Slash through the Hollywood Music Store in Los Angeles in 1984 and extensively played by Slash during the early formative years of Guns N' Roses.
- Between 1984 and 1987, Slash used this guitar on stage with Guns N’ Roses at least 18 times, more than any other guitar he used during this period including at Madame Wong's West on June 16, 1984, as well as Guns N' Roses' first show with the classic lineup of Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, & Steven Adler at the Troubadour on June 6, 1985
- He also used the guitar during his audition for Bret Michaels' band, Poison, in March 1985.
- Slash used this guitar to write and perform some of Guns N’ Roses’ most famous early recordings, including “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child of Mine.”
- The guitar was last played by Slash in January 1987 and stored away; Its whereabouts had remained a mystery for the last 30 years...
Nikki Six and Mick Mars both played Warlocks during the Shout at the Devil years of Motley Crue (images # 7 & 8)
Warlocks have also been played in numerous other bands such as Megadeath, Slayer (Kerry King - image #2), Dio, W.A.S.P, Slipknot, Poison, Sepultura, Five Finger Death Punch, Lita Ford, and many others.
A B.C. Rich Bich Double Neck 4/8 string bass guitar was used in the 1984 mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap". Harry Shearer, who plays Derek Smalls, bassist for heavy metal band Spinal Tap plays the guitar during Spinal Tap's performance of "Big Bottom."
Mach Five Guitar
The Mach Five Guitar is a 2007 B.C. Rich Warlock SN 71005434 (image #1)
- Body: Double Cutaway solid body
- Body Material: Agathis
- Finish: Painted Onyx
- Neck: Maple bolt on neck
- Fretboard: 24 fret Rosewood
- Inlays: Pearloid Dots
- Scale: 24 1/2"
- Nut Width: 1 5/8"
- Bridge: BC Rich Quad
- Tuners: BC Rich die cast
- Pickups: 2 x BC Rich BDSM (Broad Dynamic Sonically Matched) Humbuckers, 3 way switch
- Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone
Image Descriptions
1 - Mach Five guitar
2 - 1 page Warlock overview
3, 4, 5 & 6 - Slash's 1984 Warlock
7 & 8 - Motley Crue Warlocks
Associated Music