player opinions
B.C. Rich NJ Series Warlock (Widow Headstock)
Name: Sethifer
Band: Mad Puppet
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Model Year: 1999
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Price Paid: $399
Performance
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I had two of these guitars, a 1988 model and a 1999 model (both bolt-on neck models). The 1999 model did not compare to the 1988 model in the slightest. The 1999 model has 2 fewer frets; is made of different wood; a no name floyd rose style tremolo; and has no tone. The nut was also a bit high making playing the first few frets uncomfortable. Oddly enough, the guitar seemed to have decent intonation. It’s a hot looking guitar even though the body shape has changed slightly since the 80’s (to accommodate for the different neck) The widow headstock is cool though. I also compared this guitar to a Bronze Series Warlock and I actually preferred the less expensive Bronze series guitar.
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Performance Rating: 3
Sound Quality
The pickups had too much output. This is a funny thing to say coming from me because I normally raise my ultra-high output pickups almost to the point where they can touch the strings for maximum signal strength, but these.. ugh. I lowered them but then the signal was still over-over-over-over-over driven but at a lower volume. It kinda made my amp sound like the speaker was ripped. The quality of the tone also probably has something to do with the body wood.. what was it again.. agathis? (I think.. or something similar to that). Perhaps the tone could be fixed with better pickups, but I wouldn’t know because I never messed with a guitar made of that wood before.
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Sound Quality Rating: 1
Construction
The guitar felt kind of cheap in my hands. When looking at these guitars in the store I noticed several had minor construction flaws and chipped paint on the corners. I picked the best one available with the intention of modifying it because I was completely sold on its looks. I was hoping to replace my 80’s warlock but this was nothing close. After a few weeks of getting aggravated by it, sanity set in and I sold it for nearly what I payed. My advice is if you’re used to expensive instruments and are looking to replace an 80’s warlock, go with the American made ones.
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Construction Rating: 3
Name: Justin
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Price Paid: $499
Performance
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This mad guitar has its killer looks but that’s all it has. I got mine from an American Musical Standard magazine and all it’s been is problems. It constantly needs to be readjusted and it simply can’t keep a working input jack. In fact I sent the guitar back for a new one and had the same problems occur. This guitar has definetlely turned me against B C Rich.
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Performance Rating: 6
Sound Quality
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I wish I knew, but I have no way of telling because the guitar is simply a hunk of junk that sounds like I always have a chorus effect on.
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Sound Quality Rating: 0
Construction
This guitar is pretty durable — I’ve dropped it once or twice and it has held up.
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Construction Rating: 10
Name: Luis
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Price Paid: $499
Performance
The Warlock is a guitar with killer looks and the sound to back it up. The headstock makes it look evil and sinister. The guitar is the smoothest I’ve played.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The tone on this piece of equipment is great. It has an excellent growl and can scream like a peacock.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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It is a rugged construction. It has a nice solid feel. Even though the Floyd bridge may seem weak at first, it can be dropped on its face a few times and it won’t even faze it.
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Construction Rating: 10
links
Average Ratings
- Performance: 6.3
- Sound Quality: 3.7
- Construction: 7.6
Ratings Key
- 10: Excellent
- 0: Useless
Company
- B.C. Rich




