Are you diving into the realms of death metal or black metal and seeking a guitar that visually and sonically aligns with the genre? The BC Rich Warbeast, with its aggressive styling, often comes into consideration. Let’s dissect whether the Warbeast is a worthy axe for extreme metal genres.
For genres like death metal and black metal, the good news is that the BC Rich Warbeast is generally well-suited. The core requirement for these styles often boils down to having a guitar equipped with humbucker pickups in the bridge position. Humbuckers deliver the high-output, thick, and aggressive tone that drives these metal subgenres. The Warbeast typically comes stock with humbuckers, making it fundamentally capable for the sonic territories of death and black metal.
One of the frequently asked questions about guitars like the Warbeast, particularly those with this style of bridge, is regarding the tremolo system. The Warbeast Trace T model comes with a double-locking tremolo system. You can identify a double-locking system by examining the nut, located where the guitar neck meets the headstock. A double-locking system will have locking pads at the nut, secured by Allen screws. These pads clamp down on the strings, preventing them from slipping and thus maintaining tuning stability even with aggressive tremolo use. This “double-locking” refers to locks at both the nut and the bridge.
The bridge itself is also a locking tremolo. While it may visually resemble a Floyd Rose, it’s important to note that on models in the Trace series, it is typically a licensed Floyd Rose style tremolo, not an Original Floyd Rose. Original Floyd Rose tremolos are renowned for their high quality and robust construction. Licensed versions, while functional, may not be of the exact same caliber in terms of materials and longevity under extreme use. However, a properly set up and maintained licensed Floyd Rose tremolo on a Warbeast should still provide adequate tuning stability for most players, even with dive bombs and vibrato techniques. Just be aware that under very heavy and frequent whammy bar use, or over many years of playing, a licensed system might show wear or require more maintenance compared to an Original Floyd Rose.
Sound-wise, the stock pickups in the BC Rich Warbeast Trace T, often B.C. Rich B.D.S.M. pickups, are generally considered to be in the mediocre range. These pickups are often found in BC Rich’s entry-level guitars, like the Bronze series. While they aren’t necessarily terrible, they are not high-end and might lack the clarity, punch, and nuanced tone that more premium pickups offer. However, the body wood of the Warbeast Trace T is typically basswood. Basswood is a tonewood known for its balanced sound and is used by high-end guitar manufacturers like Ibanez, especially in their shred-focused models (though higher-end Ibanez guitars will use higher grades of basswood). In contrast, some lower-end guitars use Agathis or similar cheaper woods.
Keep in mind that a significant portion of your overall guitar tone, particularly in high-gain metal genres, comes from your amplifier and its settings. A less-than-stellar stock pickup can often be compensated for with amp EQ and effects.
Considering the price point of a new BC Rich Warbeast Trace T, it might be worthwhile to explore the used market. For a similar price, you could potentially find a used BC Rich from their Platinum Pro or NJ series. These series are known for offering higher quality components, such as Original Floyd Rose tremolos, better pickups, and potentially mahogany bodies, which are often preferred by some metal players for their warmer, richer tone.
In conclusion, the BC Rich Warbeast Trace T is fundamentally capable of handling death and black metal thanks to its humbucker configuration and aggressive aesthetics. The licensed Floyd Rose tremolo is functional for most players, though not top-tier. The stock pickups are a potential point for future upgrade if you desire a more refined tone. Exploring used BC Rich guitars from higher series could offer enhanced value and components for a similar investment.
