BC Rich Guitar 30 years later (Tony MacAlpine signature)

[@McRocklin]

Let me know what you think of the old B.C Rich! Get 20% off PolyChrome DSP with 'MCROCKLIN20' at www.polychromedsp.com

[@hypnagogicjerk]

I love it. I have a BCR from the’80’s with the same pickup configuration. Sans the finish, it’s otherwise identical.

[@groove.buzzters]

Love Tony MacAlpine. Didn't know he had a signature guitar back in the day. I totally understand the sentimental value behind it and still think it's a great rock machine...and those clean tones were amazing! Cheers

[@McRocklin]

Appreciate the kind words, thank you!

[@jasonyltan7672]

You can find a good pic on the back cover of his Maximum Security album liner note. If you can find a copy of the CD that is! 😅

[@claudevieaul1465]

Tony had a deal with Kramer on the first album, using (white) Pacers. Then for the 2nd album he moved to BC Rich, playing the Gunslinger model as he wasn't too big a fan of the really pointy models ;) Over the years he's played many other brands including Kiesel (Carvin) and, of course, Ibanez.

[@claudevieaul1465]

@@jasonyltan7672 Still got the vinyl for way back when 😎🤘

[@seanwinter007]

The analogy you made with playing an older guitar is like driving a car without power steering is so spot on. My first electric also has those toggle switches for the pickups, but actually has 2 for the humbucker (it's an HSS config as well). I really like the control system, but it's certainly not ideal for live performance which is probably why we don't see much of it any more. Keep up the great work with PolyChrome and McR Suite! We're all loving it!

[@McRocklin]

This guitar will give you massive arms 💪🏻🤪 Thank you Sean, yeah I couldn’t rock these switch full time, but for something a little different occasionally, it’s pretty cool.

[@jfo3000]

Yeah those switches tough to deal with in a live situation. 5 way blade is better live.

[@arthurgonzales4949]

I’m loving the tones! What’s crazy to me is how crisp the pickups sound! Remember we talked about how “harsh” some of the older model pickups sound with modern amp tones. I’m pretty impressed! I love that neck pickup! Then again plugged into Polychrome you’re bound to get crazy awesome results!

[@McRocklin]

It’s pretty cool right! I was expecting it not be a pile of dog….but it’s really got something unique about it. Especially those singles coils.

[@Acousticeg]

The instant I saw the guitar I though Tony Macalpine and clicked on the video. Tony is still one of the biggest influence on me and all time favorite guitarist. Great to hear you playing this classic guitar. Thanks for sharing.

[@McRocklin]

That’s so cool! Thanks for checking it out!

[@DrewCreal]

Dude that guitar is completely nuts and INSANE, you are the man 🤘

[@McRocklin]

Haha thank you mate, it’s not bad for it’s age huh. 👋🏻

[@SuperMetalLicious]

Back with another one of those block Rocklin videos! Your clean chops always amaze.

[@McRocklin]

Thanks mate!!

[@TheHeadhunter85]

Great video! Since you post this guitar, I knew that it has some TMac connection. Had the privilege of meeting Tony and take some lessons, what an incredible human being and musician. I would love some reissue of this models and colour schemes.

[@McRocklin]

Thank you! And yeah, that would be pretty sweet.

[@DRichGuitar]

DRich likes this BCRich 🎸😂 Beautiful crackle and even more beautiful playing chief... new Polychrome presets and amps are sounding sweet as 🔥👌🏼

[@McRocklin]

Hey DRich! Thank you mate. Your new song is still bloody stuck in my head, very catchy hook. Talk soon mate, thanks!!

[@jparkerriffs]

that was a really awesome sounding guitar, super super cool, thanks for jammin' it!

[@McRocklin]

Thanks JP!

[@KevinKrunch]

Love these videos!!!!

[@McRocklin]

Thanks mate!! 💜

[@philfrank5601]

Sounds incredible as usual, and thank you for taking thw time to respond to so many comments personally. It is appreciated!

[@McRocklin]

Of course! It’s my absolute pleasure!

[@wattage2007]

Ex sound control staff here. Met you at a Roland training thing years ago. Great that you're back into the guitars again :)

[@McRocklin]

Small world! Thanks mate 👋🏻

[@wattage2007]

@@McRocklin You’re welcome dude. Just checked out Polychrome and I’m totally stunned! How am I only discovering this now? Even my cheapo Chyngwie Chalmsteen Chinese Chignature sounds incredible through this plugin. I’m used to hearing TONS of preamp noise and interference with other guitar plugins but with Polychrome I’ve got way more gain than I need with absolutely NO noise! Absolutely fantastic, this plug-in is getting bought!

[@VGMrawk]

Those clean tones sounded great.

[@McRocklin]

Cheers!

[@hellstorm3233]

Great video and playing Thomas

[@McRocklin]

Thank you mate!

[@ryant3600]

Man back in the later 80's I would literally drool over BC Rich Gunslingers. I remember there was a yellow one brand new at a local pawn shop (Lake Havasu City, AZ) and i'd go in there and just look at it. I did this all the time till one day I went and it was gone. I just never had the cash for it. Still never owned one, it's a dream. But after that I went to a local guitar shop and they primarily sold the new Ibanez line Rg's, EX, and even still had some S and Radius guitars. And I fell in love once again but i do remember in spring of 93' I got out of boot camp in San Diego and there was a guitar shop on Rosecrans can't remember the name but I met a guy there that played in a band (which I saw his band play quite a few times around San Diego even opening for Blue Oyster Cult and Firehouse, anyway, they had the Excalibur or "Grail" of guitars. They had an Ibanez Uv77, the passion and warfare swirl guitar. I remember at the time it had a price tag of 1900.00. Back then, I was in the Navy making like 700 a month. Now that I'm older and make a little better of a living than 700 a month. I wish BC Rich would rerelease some of those 80's gunslingers, and signatures, same w/ Ibanez make then imports from Indonesia. Give us another chance at owning these guitars that were eye candy for us. That would be amazing.

[@McRocklin]

I feel like in general we all drooled a bit more over guitars in the 80’s/90’s, good times.

[@giovannirui7470]

Personally I think it sounds a lot better than most of modern guitars currently manufactured. I would love to have one. It is on the back of Tony's Maximum security album.....such a great album, so underrated!

[@GuitarSafari1]

I had one of these years ago it was a cool guitar and I love the finish. Great video and tones mate

[@McRocklin]

Thanks mate appreciate it.

[@GuitarSafari1]

@@McRocklin For sure dude remember you from way back big Jem fan here love all the Ibanez stories 😃🤘

[@TheNothing6]

Thomas! Killer axe! I like the green & black crackle! 🎸🔥

[@McRocklin]

Me too! Thank you!

[@mikecampisi6891]

AS ALWAYS WOW!!!!!

[@McRocklin]

Thank you Mike!

[@mykeryu]

LOVE that crackle finish

[@McRocklin]

😎👌🏻 cheers!

[@shredrick25]

You know what, your tone is the sweetest of all, be it clean or dirt. How i wish i can have those tones. 🙏🏼🤘🏼🎸

[@McRocklin]

www.polychromedsp.com 👋🏻

[@dexter1706]

I had an '86 st3 that I bought a few years back and it was in great condition. There were a couple hairline cracks on the body but that was it. It was pearl white, I got it for $400, it was such a great deal. Honestly one of my favorite guitars I ever owned

[@Luginiguitars]

Beautiful!!!!

[@DoubleDguitar]

Edge of Insanity is still a top fave for me. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@McRocklin]

🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@ibanezpaul]

You have the best guitar collection ever

[@McRocklin]

Hey Paul, thanks man. It’s certainly been growing a bit recently. Good to have the classics from back in the day up and running now! I’ll shoot the Hamer video tomorrow 🤓👋🏻

[@GreenMeanie101]

That is a pretty cool AXE. I Liked when Lynch and Tony played a few songs together.

[@McRocklin]

Cheers!

[@denverrandy7143]

Beautiful guitar!!!

[@McRocklin]

💜💜💜

[@terrydionne1541]

Wow I love this thing!!

[@alanguitars]

It’s great you kept it all these years.

[@McRocklin]

Thanks. I’m really happy it’s at least playable now! :)

[@timothy5974]

Nice, I own a Hamer Californian from 1990 and it’s still fantastic. Any idea when we may see Polychrome on iPad? 👍🤘

[@McRocklin]

Hmmm no specifics yet :)

[@jeffreyp1855]

Nice work, Thomas! MacAlpine, blew my mind back in the 1980s. A true "blast from the past"!

[@McRocklin]

For sure! And thank you!

[@eugenechek7288]

Very cool playing and guitar👍

[@McRocklin]

Thank you!

[@axisofevil4105]

Thanks for breaking out the '87 STIII Thomas!! It sounded and looks great!! You mentioned that playing it was like driving a car without power steering. I'm curious as I have multiple BC's from the late 80's and they are made for shredding. Any time a younger guy plays them they always compliment it's built for speed!!

[@McRocklin]

Haha that’s funny, I think it’s more VS how easy I find kiesel to play, especially headless. When switching back and forwards to me there’s a huge difference in how I’m able to play consistently. Super happy the BC is back in the game though! 🤟🏻

[@JesseLeeKing]

Dude was studying tony macalpine at 8 years old and I am just studying up dude now but yeah I have heard of Tony before but seeing this cool signature guitar made me want to listen closer to dude.

[@McRocklin]

👋🏻

[@SchardtCinematic]

I miss Bad 4 Good. Glad your still out there Jamming

[@McRocklin]

👋🏻💜

[@MF-Alien]

Proof that the player makes the guitar sound great, not vice versa

[@McRocklin]

💜💜💜

[@The.Troubadour.]

Eddie Van Halen sounds great mate cheers for the 1 of the Visdom behind almost every single thing that EVH did for The Hole World!! Thomas is internationally recognised as one of the Visdom behind almost all the things that he, You i mean Shred Master McRocklin check out fellow members, friends, family, fans, Thomas McRocklin is the Only person in this world who has Been Warming up for Ozzy, in 1985-86 and 8 years old, that is a Ibanez Shred Master of The 80's 🙏✅️

[@funkster007]

Ha! I used to drool over at that guitar pictured on the back of Tony's Maximun Security album. I thought that was just a one off model made for him. The album came out in '87, so assuming the guitar itself was from that year or maybe '86.

[@McRocklin]

Good info, thank you!

[@claudevieaul1465]

Great video! I think his BC Rich (on Maximum Security cover) was one of the first crackle finishes I had ever seen at that point - and how I wanted one 🤣🤣🤣 But being from Europe, it was absolutely impossible to find one unless ordering through a custom shop... Didn't have that kind of money then, and still don't 😅 but I did find a crackle finishe Superstrat finally 🤘 Tony is an absolutely amazing musician... Nice guy too!

[@TheFelineEmpire]

Peavey Nitro III from the late 80’s has similar switching. The bridge is 3 way: full humbucker/off/coil split.

[@McRocklin]

Interesting, I usually hate anything other than a super five way switch, but this is kinda cool.

[@mikeemerson8816]

i had one of those back in the 80s, still a killer guitar, sound is still awesome!! question Mr. McRocklin, any chance for a bad 4 good reunion even if its a one off gig?

[@McRocklin]

You know I’m down, I’m sure most of the guys are too, but will it happen? Feck knows.

[@mikeemerson8816]

@McRocklin i hope so sir, i still jam the cassette take i bought back in 92, it stands the test of time.. love your content, keep up the awesome work ...

[@ibanezleftyclub]

It would be sick to see you and T-Mac to colab. You also need to fire your guitar tech and send them to me for a proper restoral lol

[@McRocklin]

Hehe

[@aandc2005]

Wow your a outstanding guitar player!! I love high gain tones(EVH is my favorite amp company) but those clean using the both middle and neck sound great and your playing is amazing!! I just subscribed btw👍🤘🎸

[@McRocklin]

Awwww thanks for the sub and kind words. Very much appreciated :)

[@Mar33322]

I know you are on team Kiesel but man your Ibbys and this BC are the freaking best ! Would love to hear you rip up a J Custom .

[@McRocklin]

I had one, but sent it back as it was a ropey to play :( A black J.Cust, it looked really cool too.

[@Mar33322]

@@McRocklin Bummer they are really nice guitars but I will say I still prefer the og wizard necks from the 80's over any guitar neck.

[@cancelbubble6535]

I used to have that exact model/finish, bought it brand new. Ended up selling it on ebay (must have been in the late 90s) to get a Les Paul Standard. Had a BC Rich Gunslinger, too. Looking back, I wish I would have kept them, but at the time it was the fiscally responsible thing to do to be able to upscale gear. From the video, it sounds like that is the original bridge pickup, but mine had the plain cover on it like the middle and neck pickups. I always had the impression they were going for kind of a "fake emg" look with this. The pickups are all passive if anyone is wondering. Also, it isn't really a Tony MacAlpine signature BC Rich, it's a BC Rich ST-III in MacAlpine finish.

[@McRocklin]

Ah ok, good to know more about the history of this guitar. Cheers!

[@chaseadams5037]

I've been a hardcore B.C Rich fan since I bought my first B.C Rich in 98. I still have a B.C Rich Beast and absolutely love it. I'll play B.C Rich until the day I die!

[@McRocklin]

If they work for you that’s awesome!

[@chaseadams5037]

@@McRocklin I don't think B.C Rich guitars are as good as they used to be, my first B.C Rich was a late 80's Warlock USA with the Floyd Rose and decent quilty hardware. So I think the fact I started with a good quality B.C Rich gave me a different opinion of their guitars than someone who bought a cheap Chinese guitar like some of my buddies.

[@Peterplayingguitar]

Really lookin' forward to the Hamer showcase :)

[@McRocklin]

Yessss me too. I’m a little nervous as I’m gonna try it for the first time on camera.

[@blondiespinknoize4627]

I love my Hot Pink ST-III. Awesome guitar. Btw. What’s going on with that DiMarzio strap. The part attached to the guitar doesn’t look like the ones that I have. Looks like it comes from a normal leather strap, but with the seatbelt buckle attached. 🤔

[@McRocklin]

This is the original strap that I had on it back in the day, I should check that out further. It’s possibly a mixture of strap’s together.

[@blondiespinknoize4627]

@@McRocklin cool. Would love to hear what you find out 👍🏻

[@alvich]

Thoughts on Ibanez headless? You coming back home??

[@McRocklin]

Haha no plans! Not bad guitars though.

[@SchardtCinematic]

I didn't realize how much guitar tech has changed since the 90's. I haven't played in years. I'm more into video production now.

[@McRocklin]

Yep, it’s so easy for me now that I use PolyChrome DSP. 😎

[@workingorder2189]

Incredible BC RIch. I didn't know Tony MacAlpine had a BC Rich sig. I was only familiar with his diamond ST used in Tears of Sahara. MacAlpine also used a Peavey Destiny but I don't think he had a sig with Peavey.

[@RICCARDOREARDON]

YOU.. "LIVERPLATE". KEVEN EKENS.. JOHN-5. ARE MY ABSOLUTE ALL TIME FAVORITE GUITARIST'S 🎸 😍 💕!!!!!!

[@McRocklin]

Sounds like a good band, hahah. Thank you mate!

[@rickschneider3887]

That guitar is very reminiscent of the MAXIMUM SECURITY album. I still find it amazing that you can play on someone else’s guitar and still sound like “YOU”. Ted Nugget did an interview years ago which he said he once toured with Van Halen and got to play on Eddies rig thinking that he would sound just like Eddie. To his amazement he said..”wow, I sound just like Ted Nugget”

[@JesseLeeKing]

Matt Heafy said it best with it's like being in a real life 80s VHS tape lesson lol

[@McRocklin]

Haha good line!

[@ChrisSkinner1]

You’re very very good at guitar.

[@McRocklin]

Hi Chris, thank you! Have a wonderful day mate.

[@ChrisSkinner1]

You bet! You have influenced me: I’m awaiting my first Kiesel build and purchased Polychrome DSP!

[@aelmorky]

Great guitar and content as always! Just curious, did you replace the stock trem to an Ibanez Edge Trem? It does look like an edge. I may be wrong though. Cheers!

[@McRocklin]

Thanks! It’s the original trem, but we had to change the barrel.

[@Dastardly_X]

Hell yaaa 🤘🏻 🌟 🤘

[@McRocklin]

🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@blueskylizard1]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@McRocklin]

👋🏻 RAD BRAD!

[@TheTimeProphet]

LOL I was just about to write in caps that you had speeded up your guitar, until I realised I had youtube on double speed LOL

[@McRocklin]

🤣🤣🤣

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Love it! Life is too short to play a boring guitar.

[@McRocklin]

Very true!

[@madiimad]

Eyes of the world, and Premonition are the best albums... Tony! Magnificent player.

[@McRocklin]

👌🏻

[@adamdewitt1]

Does anyone here know what the deal was with BC Rich using the Edge trem back in those days?

[@KaosII1968]

Did it originally come with the Edge trem..??

[@McRocklin]

No this is the original trem, but the barrel snapped so that had to be replace. Along with some re wiring and general care.

[@KaosII1968]

@@McRocklin I meant to ask if that is an Edge trem.??

[@jparkerriffs]

@@KaosII1968 Floyd Rose Original Trem.

[@KaosII1968]

@@jparkerriffs Maybe I'm not asking the right question. The Tony MacAlpine signature guitar in this video clearly (to me) appears to have an Ibanez-Gotoh made Original Edge trem. I just wanted to know if it came stock with that on it. Edit: I found a bunch of old ads for the guitar they came with Edge trems and an older version of the Gotoh 1996t.

[@jparkerriffs]

@@KaosII1968 duck ye sick man

[@pauly51]

Nice crackle finish

[@McRocklin]

Pretty cool huh, especially for the time!

[@pauly51]

@@McRocklin most definitely. I owned a Jackson crackle from the 80s. So cool seeing video of your younger self jamming with it!! Those little hands stretching for those frets lol

[@LaserRotShow]

I think this is what John Petrucci used on the first two Dream Theater albums. Sounds almost identical. Great video!

[@McRocklin]

Thank you! : )

[@ibanez777vbk]

It's hard to tell cos your kinda guitar player doesn't matter if you playing a £50 guitar or £5k guitar,ya still gunna sound amazing,good example of that is eric Johnson no matter what guitar or amp he using ya just know its him playing after couple notes,same applies to you.

[@McRocklin]

That’s very kind of you, thank you 🙏🏻

[@hugebernal1629]

THOMAS, WHY NOT MAKING A TOP 5 OF YOUR FAVORITE GUITARS IN YOUR COLLECTION ?? THAT'D BE REVEALING AND INSPIRING FOR MANY OF US YOUNG GUITARISTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DECIDING WHAT TO BUY !! THANKS !

[@McRocklin]

Great idea!

[@hugebernal1629]

@@McRocklin then I can't wait !!!

[@hugebernal1629]

but you know what? I'd be great for many of us to know what guitars are those that you grab the most, those that you really like, simply because they have something that calls you... maybe the ease of the neck, the weight, the sound, the playability... bc we all have a guitar that is easier for us to play and that we like it more, even though we don't know why... I'd love to see what those guitars are for you... those 5 guitars that you prefer over the others (despite the others being also great !!!)

[@jbal3406]

Amazing guitar but how are you getting all those tones ? i want those tones please how do i get them

[@McRocklin]

JB you juicy man. You need those juicy tones from www.polychromedsp.com xx

[@jbal3406]

@@McRocklin I got it, wow wow wow all those tones, i thought those juicy tones were just your personal tones but they are all here... how come the whole guitar world doesn't have this...THEY ARE MISSING OUT BIG TIME

[@crosswalklarry]

What makes it a TM? Just the color? I had a tea rose pink ST3 that looked the exact same. Same H/S/S, 1 Vol. ,1 Tone, 3 mini single throws.

[@McRocklin]

I believe so

[@crosswalklarry]

​@@McRocklinThat progression @4:38 is orgasms for the ear. ❤

[@mixodorians12]

Is that an after market ibanez low pro edge trem on that BC Rich?

[@McRocklin]

This is the original trem the guitar came with, we needed a new barrel for it though as that broke along the way. 👍🏻

[@neobooger]

I’m thinking in your hands pretty much any descent guitar will sound good! Like Eddie said… it’s in the fingers mate! 🤘

[@McRocklin]

Very kind, PolyChrome helps a lot too haha. Cheers!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Any advice on reducing feedback when using the plugin please? I mean, I get some real bad feedback after the last update.

[@McRocklin]

The latest update only adds additional speaker chains and presets. The levels etc, are not changed. I’ve seen some people setting the input level too high on their audio interfaces, the input ring led on the plug-in should briefly hit the red only on your hardest chord strikes. If it’s not usually in the green and blue then you need to turn down the input level in your interface. PolyChrome has a dedicated Discord which you can check in with, there’s lots of help there. Cheers!

[@pauly51]

That BC Rich must be passive pickups. Do you own many that are active?

[@McRocklin]

All my main guitars use Fishman pickups, which technically are active, even if they don’t have a typical active tone.

[@ElcanaldeReyesManuel]

Bonita guitarra 🎸

[@McRocklin]

Thank you! : )

[@kingfisher7960]

AHHH OK

[@McRocklin]

🤟🏻

[@bigtorrisi]

The body is mahogany. The humbucker is a Dimarzio Super Distortion.

[@McRocklin]

Thanks!

[@bigtorrisi]

@@McRocklin If you wanna sell let me know.

[@kurtj312]

Great guitarist! I liked his Carvin better.

[@McRocklin]

👋🏻

[@The.Troubadour.]

Eddie Van Halen sounds great mate cheers for the 1 of the Visdom behind almost every single thing that EVH did for The Hole World!! Thomas is internationally recognised as one of the Visdom behind almost all the things that he, You i mean Shred Master McRocklin check out fellow members, friends, family, fans, Thomas McRocklin is the Only person in this world who has Been Warming up for Ozzy, in 1985-86 and 8 years old, that is a Ibanez Shred Master of The 80's 🙏✅️

[@McRocklin]

Hello Troubadour!! Thank you bro, always good to hear from you, legend 👋🏻

[@The.Troubadour.]

@@McRocklin Thanks 🙏

[@mETeorSmAsh-wo5to]

Brandon Eliis would be all over this axe

[@tymanngruter1808]

Tony is no nice man, but his taste for guitars is more than nice!

[@McRocklin]

😎👌🏻

[@labontetrevor]

Now you just need to be photographed with it, in Autumn, in front of a bank vault which is presumably filled with Hundreds of Thousands of dollars. Or pounds if you prefer. Or crawl across the Sahara with it, while crying. Cheers

[@McRocklin]

😳😳😳

[@trollstjerne]

22 frets.. pfft.. Would be soo much better with 23 frets so you could hit that Eb 🤘😎👍

[@McRocklin]

🤣🤣🤣 only you!

[@globalfatmas]

Play "Drive"

[@McRocklin]

I’ll try soon!

[@nocheckmarkgames]

yeah ya know it just sucks that these guitars have become Prohibitively expensive. Not paying over $500 for a guitar, if you do, and its not like, your "Dream Guitar", there is something wrong with you.

[@dzzzzza]

Oh god, another genious chilld that suck as a grown up

[@McRocklin]

🤣 thanks