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BC Rich 'Make-Over' by Rob Williams Guitars.
For the last decade or so I have been on the look out for a new guitar. I would see ones I liked the look of but they usually turned out to be pigs to play or stupendously expensive. And then I realised that all the prospective guitars in my gaze, were basically very similar to the cherished electric guitar that I already own. Everything I want is already there. I just wanted to change a few things that had always annoyed me. Enter Rob Williams…
I bought my BC Rich Super Strat II back in 1988. An original USA made guitar of this ilk was (seemed) very rare in the UK back then. This one was for sale in Denmark Street for ‘cash’ – there was no paperwork but the guitar was the real deal. It had a snakeskin paint job, a Gotoh Floyd Rose, a super-distorted Dimazio bridge humbucker, a hand-made in Los Angeles serial plate and looked the nuts. I was into Hair-Metal, Tony MacAlpine used one (well, similar) and my boss lent me the money to buy it for £400. I was a happy bunny and people always noticed my guitar.
A few years on and I still loved it but the snakeskin finish had become spectacularly dated. So a close friend who specialised in this sort of thing, striped it down to the wood, matt-varnished it and alacazam – a new BC Rich Custom!
15 years later and I really wanted a similar guitar but with a different finish and I had come to hate it’s 2 single coil pick-ups, that were soulless, ugly and lacked any vizz.
I was on the prowl for a new guitar but again realised that I just wanted my beloved BC in a different and unique guise.
This is when I decided to approach Rob Williams who I had come know earlier this year. I trusted him with the task in hand, as his skilled craftsmanship is perfectly clear to see through his own wondrous range of guitars. So I asked him if he could change the 2 single coils for one warm but powerful neck humbucker (made by Rob); To lose some irritating switches and dabble with the volume and tone pots; Respray the back black and the front a vibrant 80’s yellow; Add a cartoon graphic of the ‘Hammer Guy’ that I had painstakingly sourced and was originally used as the backdrop on Van Halen’s 1984 tour; And also give her a good service, touch-up and tune-up. Rob said “Yes, it should be fun!”
I went to see Rob in June 2007 at his fine abode in the idyllic Welsh countryside. We planned the ‘make-over’, drank some tea and I eventually left with one his guitars – result!! I drove home convinced that he thought I was completely mad to turn a great looking and trusted guitar into something that CC DeVille might commission – well that’s what I wanted, to encapsulate everything 80’s for a guitar conceived in the heyday.
Rob kindly documented the make-over with photographs and explanations as follows:
1. The first picture is self explanatory with a superman sticker my 6 year old son gave me and the ‘Hammer Guy’ idea.
2. Single Coil Pick-Up Holes plugged with hardwood.
3. This shows the body sanded flat with all the holes plugged and ready for the installation of the veneer.
4. Shows the veneer being glued on with the aid of a vacuum bag - High tech or what!
5. The new pickup route and a single slot for the switch have been added.
6. A mock up of the artwork and size.
7. First stage of finishing with black base coat.
8. Second stage of finishing with colour coats.
9. Third stage of finishing with clear over the decal – looking good!
10. These shots show the Mac in action preparing the artwork.
11. The polished guitar ready for assembly. The reflection of the 10 bob bit is real - no Photoshop tricks were used.
12. The finished article - Full 80’s Axe Splendor!
Some remarks from guitar buddies:
“Fucking Awesome!” Ed Box (Guitar Legend)
“Cool Make-Over...Dig The Hammer Guy!” Nick Bowcott (Guitar World/Fender USA)
“Fucking Smooth!” James Edwards (AOG Sales)
“Sweet Indeed!” Mike Blackburn (Canadian Rock Professor)
“How Happy Are You!” Si White (A Bit Gay)
And from Rob Williams himself: “Yellow, Very Yellow!”
So if you want a unique guitar that stands out in a crowd (after all that’s what Rock n’ Roll is all about isn’t it?), then I strongly suggest that you contact Rob Williams for a great make-over quote, which will be way less than the price of a decent new guitar.
Call Rob on: 01686 689120