BC Rich US Series Outlaw Solidbody

Here's a BC Rich US Series Outlaw that came in for an electronics overhaul and setup. It was bought used in 1999 and has definitely seen a lot of use since then. If you'd like to compare this guitar to a similar one in much better shape, do check out this Reverb listing.

The BC Rich Outlaw is basically a Strat-style solidbody featuring a maple neck, 12" radius maple fretboard, 22 jumbo frets, two humbuckers, three-way blade switch, two volumes and one tone; and Strat-style six-screw tremolo bridge.

There was lots wrong with this Outlaw when it came in. Plugged in, all you could hear was a loud hum. Yes, open circuit! Besides this, the frets were badly worn and the saddles frozen. Oh yes, someone had also reamed out the jack plate and installed a barrel jack. Further checking revealed rusted-out electronics and seriously miswired pickup leads. To put it bluntly, the guitar would not have worked even if the pots were Emerson Pros, the switch a CRL; and the jack a Switchcraft #11.

The whole control cavity was gutted and pickups removed for a thorough checkup. Each had four leads plus a braided ground. Both coils of both pickups were working, and so, after splicing some extra wire (the leads had been cut a tad too short by the previous tech) and a rewire; everything was fine and dandy.

The rusty pots were replaced with Alpha 500Ks, the switch with a generic PCB-type; and barrel jack with a Neutrik/Rean NYS229. And, as the oval jack plate had been attached to the body with humungous pan head screws; the oversized screw holes were plugged and redrilled to accept generic 1/2" pickguard screws.

As for the frozen saddles, they were removed and given a good soak in lube. After things had loosened up somewhat, the saddle height screws were unscrewed with the aid of nippers. Following this, new saddle height screws, as well as intonation screws/springs; were installed.

This Outlaw badly needed a full refret as the frets were worn down too low for a dressing. However, insufficient funds dictated that this would not come to pass. And so, after slapping on a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinkys, the guitar was tuned to pitch, the truss rod tightened a tad; and action/intonation done.

Well folks, that's about it for this post. Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate it very much. And though we're all facing challenging times, do have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones :)

Acknowledgement
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