1987 USA B.C. Rich “Super Strat”
When it comes to playing anything “hard rock” my main guitar for this particular style is a 1987 BC Rich ST-III (ST-3) Super Strat.
Made in the USA, and built in Los Angeles (under the direction of Bernie Rico himself), this particular ST-3 came factory with a B.C. Rich licensed Floyd Rose tremolo system, as well as a DiMarzio PAF-Pro in the bridge position.
I became interested in this guitar after hearing Tony MacAlpine play this model of guitar on his album, Maximum Security,
His guitar tone was really inspiring on that MacAlpine album, so much so, that I had to try playing a model from this particular line of BC Rich guitars.
Once I had an ST-3 in my hands I was blown away by the feel of the guitar and how smooth (and fast) the fret-board felt. Jackson and ESP have made similar guitars to the ST-3, but nothing really compares to playing an original model from the BC Rich California production house.
I took the sound of the guitar a step further (customizing it to my own preferences), by adding a Fender American single-coil pick up in the middle position along with a Seymour Duncan Cool-Rail mounted at the neck position.
To gain a greater distance of pitch off of the Floyd Rose, I also had the body routed a 1/2 inch deeper – for the tremolo to pull up two full whole-steps.
This guitar is not only extremely rare, but it’s one of those “classic collectible guitar’s” that is also a truly fantastic instrument in its construction, not to mention killer tone and a really fast neck. Overall this guitar is an total joy to play!