BC Rich Brazilian Acoustics

[Dr Foster]

I am new to the forum. I am hoping there are some original owners of early BC Rich acoustics built by Bernie Rico from circa 1968-1976 that could share their date of purchase and serial number. I am attempting to compile info so these early instruments can be dated with a ballpark date of build. What I have turned up so far has tended to be a mass of conflicting anecdotes. Can anyone on this forum provide anything useful? The ones I have seen have had incredibly high quality tonewoods imported from the 1930s to 1950s. Thanks!

[rick-slo]

I visited Rico a few times in the 1960's in Boyle Heights when I was looking to build some guitars myself. At that time the guitars in his shop were
mostly classical guitars and he did talk about the fine collection of woods he had collected. He was very nice and helpful. Sorry, regarding serial
numbers I have no idea. Here is a label from the 1960's

[Dr Foster]

One thing I am trying to sort is what the B38s made in the early early seventies were made from.
The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide edited by Alan Greenwood, Gil Hembree on page 12 says cocobolo from 68-82, but every B38 I have ever seen online says they were of Brazilian rosewood, made with 4 pieces due to the fact that Ricos tonewoods were originally cut to make classical backs, thus had to add sections in order to get dreadnought sized backs. Still hoping some of the authors of old threads on this topic are still out there and can help.