Author Topic: Very unique Jerry/Irwin Inspired Mockingbird style guitar (Read 246 times)

sjhoffma · « **on:** August 17, 2012, 01:56:13 PM »

Very interesting guitar I just came across. Sort of a mocking/tiger, or tiger/bird hah

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-Handmade-Chris-Michas-Custom-Guitar-Inspiration-Jerry-Garcia-Special-/271035544387?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f1afa3343

Beautiful woods on this one.

edwin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2012, 11:06:27 AM »

Not sure I'm sold. Creating features out of bugs, like It has heft (10.8 lbs.), and The heavy neck keeps everything just right. means to me that it weighs a ton and has serious neck droop. Very beautiful woods!

jzstephan · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2012, 12:03:09 PM »

There's bugs and then there's BUGS

gtrguy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2012, 08:30:08 PM »

What a cool looking guitar! I have always loved Mockingbirds, having played both Mockingbird basses and guitars. They balance perfect for me. However, I bet this is one heavy puppy! It looks pretty thick. Might be a case of trying to do too much with one guitar.

It would be interesting to see Alembic build a series one shaped like a Mockingbird. I wonder if they would do it?

jalevinemd · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2012, 08:24:06 AM »

I am a huge fan of the types of guitars that inspired this instrument. I have this...

As well as these...

But, for me, this is not a case where chocolate and peanut butter made a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. The melding of the styles just doesn't work for me at all. I actually posted a picture of the eBay guitar on the BC Rich Players forum. I titled it "For Fans of Jerry Garcia and BC Rich." I figured this was me and maybe two other people!

gtrguy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2012, 10:15:52 AM »

The early BC Rich instruments, esp. in Koa, are such beautiful guitars! I still kinda want a Seagull.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:54:35 PM »

Yeah...the vintage ones are beautiful all right. I've currently got the '79 Mock hanging on the wall as well as an '81 Koa Bich. The Mock Supreme and the 10 string Bich on the wall are gone, as is a '78 maple Mock I had a couple years ago.

Talk about a company that's really gone down the toilet, IMHO. They started out as one of the first truly boutique builders, crafting handmade instruments using beautiful woods and intricate electronics. But over the years there's been the NJ series, the stuff from HHI, imports from all over the globe as well as the uber expensive custom USA guitars they're making now. I find it quite sad, actually.

Interesting how they began in almost the same vain as Alembic but followed a COMPLETELY different path.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:01:58 PM »

Here's the '81 Bich...

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2012, 09:09:55 PM »

Agreed about RCR's path, Jonathon; about 12 years back I saw them for the first time in a while, & asked my the-boss, a metal & hair guitarist, when they went from top-end to cheapo. He hadn't even known they were ever great. Sad.

Peter (who always wanted an Eagle)

pswanson · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2012, 07:29:30 PM »

Hello fellow BC Rich lovers. Here are two from my collection, an 81 Mockingbird I had custom made, and an 82-84 I picked up in 2010. The Koa (81) has been made fretless and all emg/bartolini active electronics have been put in. I found the original BC Rich preamps to be a joke and give little variety of sound. But, this was largely how the bass looked in 1981 -- there have been no additions, just replacements. I had it made stereo with double of everything -- pre amps, tone controls, etc. It only cost me $100 back then! The Maple electronics are stock. Both are left handed. I agree, they have really gone downhill.

pswanson · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2012, 07:35:42 PM »

Here is the other bass...sorry about the big picture. Wish I knew how to make them smaller!