BC Rich Platinum Series Warlock Bass

Made in Korea. 24 Frets. 4 strings. 2 pickup volume knobs, 1 tone knob, pickup selector switch. 2 split-coil pickups. Passive. Basswood body. Maple neck. Rosewood fretboard. Black finish. Agathis body. Thru bridge. Die-cast tuners. Thick neck, thin profile. 24 jumbo frets. I bought it used.

This bass is one in a million. It's pretty much the best BC Rich bass I've tried. This bass gives a nice big, chunky, tone. The pickup controls/switch gives a lot of versatility. Looking at it, you'd guess it could only be good for metal. Not true. I use this bass in a ska/punk band, and it fits in perfectly. It's great in the studio and on stage. The only downside is that slapping can be a problem.

The bass was set up surprisingly well for a used one. The pickups were adjusted just right. When I got it, there were no visible flaws, but the input jack was messed up. It was nothing that couldn't be easily fixed. Another problem is the action, which is a little high.

The Warlock is built like a stone! I've dropped this bass dozens of times. The only thing that happens is that the pointy bits on the headstock/body chip off. This doesn't effect the sound or the overall look. The finish could last for a long long time. The strap buttons are solid. I've used this bass without a backup for all my gigs.

I've never had to talk to BC Rich.

I've been playing for close to three years and have owned a few basses. I've also played basses that are more "widely accepted" for ska, but I keep rushing back to my Warlock. Unfortunately, this particular model was discontinued, so I couldn't buy it again, but I would sure as hell try too! It's got everything I need and nothing more. I believe that the Platinum Warlock is a very underrated bass, and anyone who has seen and heard mine agrees.

Ealry nineties, Late Eighties model, one P Pickup. 24 frets, unsure of wood, something light... which is nice for shows because I don't get tired. Neck is a little wide, but it is very thin, so it ends up playing and feeling nicer than you'd think. Bridge is basic, but of good quality. Later bridges were a step backward for awhile. VERY nice and high quality Gotoh tuners, 4 on a side, arrowhead style. I love them. Stays in tune excellently, in fact best of all my basses. Pink in color. Haha.

The sound is bright yet with beef. I use it in a hard punk band. (http://www.theabrasives.com) I recorded half of one of our albums with it and I had other, 'better' basses to choose from to do it, so that should say something. There's not a lot of variety with the sound, since there's only one pickup, and a tone control. But it's got an excellent natural sound for rock, punk, metal, straight rock and roll, etc. Fat, punchy. The pickup is a bit loud on feedback hum, so I have to give it a 8. Also, it's definitley not the bass for impromptu jazz sessions or something. Doesn't have the tone for it - though I woudl wonder why you'd play out a Warlock for a jazz festival... (if you do, that's rad though and I would like to buy a ticket to see this haha) Perhaps later models with 2 pickup types (P and J or double P) don't have this [lack of tone selection] issue.

I bought this used, and the setup was good. But with a little fiddling of the truss rod and the bridge height, it is now great, especially in the upper registers. Couldn't get much better considering this is an off the rack, Korean made mass produced bass.

This bass does withstand frequent shows, and the finish is good. The one stupid thing about it is that these Korean models have a plastic input jack cover and you know that's just bound to crack one day. Such a stupid place to try and save money in production. Frets seem to resist wear nicely.

It's used and I work on my own equipment. I hear they return phone calls.

Well, I bought this as a joke really. A pink warlock, I mean get serious you know? Perfect kind of thing to tool around on stage with at hardcore punk shows because it's so sarcastic. Maybe I could destroy it a good show. But the jokes gone wrong because I really have come to enjoy this bass. It's a keeper. I write a lot of material on it, and since it was cheap, I play it out without much worry, and it plays great. You really can't ask more from a stage bass. I think I just got lucky. That's all it is with cheaper equipment... luck of the draw.

This a 2003 model that has 2 pickups, a 3 way pickup selector, and two volume and 1 tone knobs. The neck is maple and rosewood, and the body is agathis. 4 strings. More for the money than some other manufacturers.

This is THE best sounding bass I have ever played. It has a wide tonal range, going from my favourite, the deep rumbling, bassy tone through a twangy tone and into a very trebly kind of tone. There is barely any noise from the pickups, and distorted, this thing is a beast. It is suitable for anyone really. There is some minor fretbuzz when you play very very very hard, I mean having your fingers slightly off the fret aswell, and struming like there's no tomorrow.

When I first got this bass it was suprisingly easy to play. I had a starter bass, and playing this felt almost unnatural, because it was so easy. There are only two minor complaints though: the G string was slightly misaligned, and it sounded slighly dead when I first got it, but some Fast Fret sorted that out immediately.

This bass is very solid and well built, although due to its crazy shape, some chipping occurs on the corners. The strap buttons are exceptionally large, so once you've got your strap on, it's not going to fall of without some serious abuse.

I found the BC Rich helpline very good, with prompt replies. Luckily, I have only had to use it to ask about other models in the rabge though, and how much they cost!

I love this bass. I can't imagine moving back onto my old one at all. I love basically everything about it.

2000 model 4-string Warlock Pltinum sereies from wherever Plats are made -- China, Korea, etc. 24 lage frets. Solid black, P/J pickup configuration w/ 3-way switch and a volume knob for each pickup and an overall tone knob. Came with stock passive pickups. Bass was bare-bones stock when I got it (used). Body is Agathis and neck is hard maple w/ typical rosewood fretboard and basic dot inlays. Saw one review that had the writer's opinion of the body wood, stating agathis is just a fancy word for plywood. No, it isn't plywood, but it isn't much better. Warlock body w/ Widow headstock. Basic BC Rich bridge and tuners, and 34" scale.

I play drums by trade, but I'm the bassist in an Arkansas '70's/'80's/early '90's classic hard rock cover band appropriately named Crunch. It definitely fits the bill. It has that P-bass rumble to it with the P only, and bright twang with the J, and a good, full sound with both. I ended up replacing the stock pickups with a Seymour-Duncan P/J combo. Decent sound, good, clean pots, but not a lot of sustain on its own. Sounds good with rock, and even slaps and pops good. Funky Warlock!!! I've done many other mods along with the pickups. I'll explain as we go. Right now, this thing is great for live playing, but I'd rather use my USA Peavey Foundation when I write and record my own music. Much cleaner and fuller sound. Sounds good through about any bass amp I've tried it on, even straight into the mixing board. Points deducted for lack of sustain (light wood).

It was set up factory as the previous owner had it. I'm 6'3" and she was 5' barely, so the bass fits me a little better. Ok, here we go........Likes: it's a Warlock, 'nuff said. All my dislikes next I have taken care of, but here they are as they were: Very unbalanced (headstock heavy). My fix: a thin, strong aluminum plate between the neckplate and body that extends 2" up torward the headstock and the top horn's strap button installed there. Huge difference. Looks a little weird, but I can let go of the neck and it doesn't divebomb to the floor. Also raised the neck and the bridge saddles high so I could raise the pickups quite high for a thumbrest for fingering. Agathis is not plywood, it's part of the pine family, so it's light and not real hard at all. Easy to dent and chip the thin paint. Bridge and tuners are pretty good. Stays well in tune, even in temperature changes. Next fix to my liking: the neck width and string spacing. I was used to by narrow-necked Peavey, and this thing is quite wide. I shaved the sides of the neck quite a bit and cut a new nut to narrow the string spacing some. The frets are not all that great. Already have roundwound string grooves in some of them. After all that, I got a good gig bass to fit my liking. My motto: if it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!!! My rating now would be 8, but I guess as it was stock...........

This thing will do fine live and the hardware will stand up. Just the frets are suspect. The paint will chip and the wood will ding easily, but that's why it's my gig bass. Rather beat this one up than my Peavey. I installed straplocks right after the strap slid off the tiny strap buttons and the bass hit the floor face first. Didn't hurt it, though. Neck is pretty straight, but I wouldn't want to mess with the truss rod too much. Doesn't really need adjusting. As with drumming, I never gig without a spare snare drum, and I will take a backup bass always. Murphy follows me around, ya know. Points deducted for frets and paint.

Haven't had to deal with BC Rich. Quite sure it's not like the family-owned heyday, though.

Really haven't been a bass player long, mainly drums and guitar. See my BC Rich Beast review for a gear list, if ya care. I'd probably get another Plat Warlock or a Mockingbird bass if it needed replacing. Love: it's a Warlock bass. Nuff said. Hate: fixed 'em, except for I'd rather have the old-school pointy headstock than the Widow. Favorite: see "Nuff said." Might add some electronics mods to it. Can't stop messin' with it. I'd like a BC Rich Beast bass someday or an old-school Mock, Ironbird, or ST bass. Overall rating after my current mods: 8. As I got it............

My warlock is a standard platnum series warlock with widow head stock, PJ Stock BC Rich Pickups, Black Finish with Chrome knobs. It was made in Korea circa 1999-2000. I bought it from a dealer on E-bay in 2001.

I like the sounds you can get out of this thing! It does have a wide range sounds between the P & J and tone knob. I usually play Metal line with just the P on and the tone low to try to get that Black Sabbath sound --- Way down in the basement. When I want the thing to scream, I can add in the J for some higher tones.

If I have to say anything about the sound, I wonder what this bass could do with hi-end pickups.

The bass was set-up pretty well. My only thought is that books tell me that the 4 pick-ups should be directly under each string, which by the looks of these, would be an impossibility. After a year or so, I set the action a little 'looser' to minimize fret buzz. I may tighten it back up again soon.

This thing is as solid as granite. The neck is top-heavy; I use a classical guitar strap wire (which ties under the headstock)on my strap. It give me a range of directional possibilities and prevents the thing from up-ending

No experience with the BC Rich folks.

I've been playing bass for the last 3 years, guitar for several years before that. I am dedicated to playing the bass, and wouldn't give up my BC Rich for nothing. Besides looking like some Gothic Weapon from Hell, I think it IS a gothic weapon from hell. Just try to get that thing away from me.

I think the assessments of those who wrote before me really sum up the warlock.

Don't knock it just because it looks funny. It has great tonal range.
The stock pick-ups are good, the bridge is ok. You can probably customize your warlock with excellent pickups and a great bridge and really kick out the jams.
The thing is neck heavy- consider the strap wire under the head method.
The thing could survive a nuclear blast or a couple of nights at the Osbournes', you can't get much sturdier. I could play softball with it and it wouldn't go out of tune.

4 strings
24 frets
emg pickups (I added)
p and j style combination
two volume controls one tone control and a 3 way selector
chess wood body
maple neck
widow headstock
black Gotoh with a black hipshot (I added)
black badass 2 bridge (I added)

I play all styles from funk to math metal. The big thing with this bass are the strings >>>>> I use La Bella Flats .46-110 <<<<<<<<

Effects are per gig I use zoom 506/2 most shows (comp. 2 dis.
and delay) or I use a digitech RP20 for keyboard/industrial/dub stuff.
Amp is a GK 2000rb flat EQ/ or per room with a 2 10" or 8 10" cab.

Stock the bass was good I like the sound ,very heavy ,but I put EMG's in to cut all feedback/hum. The EMG just add a little to the stock sound, thats kind of dark and hollow ibanez sgr like on the p/j 50%50% or big dub/keyboard bass with the p 100% and the tone full down.

My thing with BC Rich is there not to bassey or bright just in the Frender P bass/ ibanez kind of sound.

I got it off E bay and the guy didn't know how to set it up.
So with a little work I got it just how I like it.
My other basses are round wound strings or step round with low setup I needed this bass to do DUB sounds so it got flats with a high setup.
I didn't like the stock Bridge so I got a badass 2 (it has more beef)
The neck was misaligned,just loosen the 4 screws and tug thentighten.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The neck heavy thing<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Yes it seams all Inport BC Rich basses are neck heavy and kind of bad at that that is the #1 thing, most of the bodys are light and the necks are heavy so you need to fix it frist Just move the strap button
to the neck at about the 17 th fret (drill and use a short screw 1 1/2")

One industrial/hardcore show I played I was bang my head into my Warlock till the blood ran and I slap it like a pimp and it was still in tune.
The paint will chip from the edges. Be aware of the head stock it will
chip at the widows points.
The 1/4" plug will brake if you don't get a metal one.
BC Rich are like mack trucks you can ding'um but who cares, and if they do just poke out there eyes...

BC Rich web is overly helpful. Even for my 10 year old Bitch bass they
got me all the info I needed.

I have been playing for about 10 years. I love my BC's thre like Fenders/Rick's but cool
Get one, there good stock but that come alive with your own mods.
You'll have to get used to the neck thing or you can fix it.

Found this bass used at the local music store, but must not have been used very long since the original B.C. Rich tag was still on it. Since these things list at around $600, I know I got a bargain.
Either a 2000 or 2001 model, metalic blue and made in korea. Two octave maple neck, 4 strings and frets. Comes standard with an independenct volume control for both P-Style pickups and single tone. First off, the controls are AMAZING. I play both guitar and bass and this is the first axe I've played where the tone control made this much differnece in the sound. The dual volume controls let you shape the sound to an amazing degree when playing on both pickups. For a low-end import, you're really getting a lot with this model.
Body is chesswood and pickups are passive stocks, but I must've gotten the lucky one of the batch. Sometimes BC Rich stock pickups aren't much, but these ones combined with the heavy, thick body create a deep, rich, rumbling tone I've never heard anywhere else. I've always loved the warlock body, but after owning the bass a year I still can't get over the tone this body produces.
The bridge is a standard fixed variety and solid as a rock. The headstock is B.C. Rich's signature 2-to-a-side Widow headstock.

On it's own, delivers the snarling, thrash metal rumble it's built for. I play through an Ibanez Sound Wave Pro which has a pretty nice EQ. A resourceful player tweaking the EQ could probably get just about any sound out of this he wants. Gets a stronger sound with a pick than with fingers, but finger style doesn't come up too often in the style of music I play so it hasn't been much of an issue.
Despite it's flamboyant looks, this is no novelty guitar. It's a real, working man's bass and I'd take it either studio or live.

Had a good factory set up. The action's not uncomfortable, even for my small, thin fingers. Pickups could use some adjusting, but they're not so off-kilter as to cause problems. As said previously, the bridge is a sturdy piece of hardware and the headstock and tuners are divine. It rarely needs tuning. Sometimes weeks have gone by and I've returned to find the tuning exactly as I left it!
The big warning I'd give about the warlock bass, and it's one I've heard elsewhere, is that the neck is very heavy. So be warned and make the appropriate accomadations you need before playing live to keep it from tilting down on you. Also, don't play without strap locks, but that's just a fact of life with the odd-shaped BC Rich's and not what I'd consider a flaw in the guitar itself.

Another fact of life with BC Rich's is the sharp pointy corners get eaten alive. Their was a ding out of the finish on the lower right wing when I purchased and some chips out of the horns on the widow headstock. None are visible from the stage, however. But aside from the thin finish, the body is rough and tough and meant to be pounded on. I'd trust it live without a back-up. The hardware feels like it will last a lifetime, as do the stock pick ups and despite the strap's tendency to pop off of them, the strap buttons are very secure.

Have not dealt with them. As sturdy as it is, I'm not anticipating having to.

If this were stolen, I would buy another, hunt down the thief, kill them with it, and steal this one back. I've played for years and keep coming back to BC Rich again and again for the look and the sound. Bear in mind this is still a factory-made import bass, so I'm rating it in comparison to other items in its range - I would trade up to a hand-made full-active Warlock in a heartbeat! But so far, this bass looks like it will be all I need until that day comes.

Not sure the year, I think 1999 or 1998... it's an older platnium supreme model.

24 fret, 4 strings

Volume, Tone and 3 way switch

P+J Pickup config (both BCR pickups)

Chesswood body (I belive) and maple neck (rock maple possibly)

Triple black finish for extra shine with classy white binding on the whole thing

I play metal and the stock pickups sound "woody" and "hollow" and I personally hate them. I wound up putting emg's into it. The three way switching is really cool though, I love that lets you be versatile with yer sound. The body wood is a little bright and once again to bitch about the pickups they sound overly metallic... stock the sound is shitty, donesn't have much sustain either b/c of the POS bridge...

The action was way high when I got it and the neck wasnt set very well either. After resetting the two the action was still high to keep it from buzzing. I have eventually gotten rid of that problem with proper intonation, different kinda of strings, etc... The sides of the frets (the wire) is sticking out in some places and doesn't feel too nice... The bridge is a POS, the tuners are nice though. The neck is far too heavy for the rest of the guitar and it's really neck heavy. And the strap buttons are great, their huge! The finish is nice and super shiney but a little on the thin side, I chip if off like something else without slamming it on the floor or anything!

It's a solid bass, well put together, but the finish doesn't stand up to abuse very well. Tho I don't think it would wear off... As I said before the strap buttons are great! The neck almost never needs to be adjusted, I did it twice in two years when I switched to different tunings. Stays in tune amazingly well also! I would gig without a backup and not worry at all.

Never dealt with them... still have the warenty card even...

I have been playing bass for 3 years now and guitar and bass on and off for about 13... My biggest complaints are the pickups, bridge and neck heavieness... I wish I knew about the bass wanting to go neck down before I got it, It's kinda distracting, but to tell the truth you don't even realize it after a while. The ratings may seem really low, but I'm keeping in mind the $1200 basses I have played so I can't reasonably give this a 10, b/c what would they be then? But for the price it's a nice bass... you'll want to put new pickups in and move the strap buttons but other than that, not too bad...

This is a brand-new 2001 BCRICH Warlock Bass Platinum Series. This thing is great. I play alot of metal, and this thing can play the great distorted Cliff Burton Solo's to the soft ones such as the bass Solo In the Metallica Song Orion. This thing is fucking bad ass, when i gig people go crazy for the look. this mother is bad

It sounds great, i play it with a Morley PowerWahBoost Petal and a Electro-Harmonix Big Muff wah, just as the Late, GREAT cliff burton did. IT sounds awesome. I play alot of metal as i said, and a some Blue Oyster Cult, Pink Floyd, and stuff. This thing is awesome for all that shit, i love this thing, its one bad motherfucker.

This bass was set up great. Im giving it an 8 because it was i guess just wired a little wrong in the factory, and i dont really have a volume knob, im going to have it fixed, no big problem. Other than that it looks and plays great.

I have only had it six months, but it has worked great, it withstood 2 drops on my carpet, and hard playing, nothing has ever gone wrong, looks as new as the day i took it home. Great bass guitar. Neck has stayed straight, only had to adjust it once. Stays in tunes very well.

Havent needed it.

I tried many other basses, and i just love this thing, recommened to anyone for any type of music, sounds great. Worth the paid price!

Made in the 80's in Korea, with 24 frets, four strings, and a head-stock that you could poke someone's eye out with. It has BC Rich split pick-ups (passive), volume & tone controls, adjustable bridge, all the usual features.

It's one of the models made in between the old-fashioned headstock and the "widow" headstock. It looks like a four-on-a-side fender that was sharpen to a dagger point.

It's finished in an ugly metallic pink that totally conceals what it's make of. From a chipped corner I can see some sort of wood, but I can't tell one kind of tree from another. It feels like it could be steel reinforced concrete. This is one HEAVY bass.

Amazingly, though it looks like it could only be used for heavy metal or slaying dragons, it's quite versatile. I even use it at low volume to accompany hymns at church! With it's incredible sustain, it does a good job of imitating organ foot pedals.

I got it used, so I can't say what it was like when it was new. But when I got it the action was low and easy to play with little or no buzz. And it hasn't needed an adjustment of any sort yet.

The finish seems like an armor plating of some sort of space-age resin coating. It had been chipped off one of the many pointy corners and seems to be almost 1/16th of an inch thick on the body.

All the pieces fit like they're supposed to. The neck is a bolt-on, but the seam looks more like it was welded.

The finish itself is a metallic pink. As the deal I had on it was "take it or leave it" I took it, but I'd never have chosen it.

I alsways use this without a backup, as I own no other bass. Though I treat it with care, it seems like I could take it into battle if I had to! Everything is rock solid.

Got it second hand, havne't got a clue about the manufacturer. I won't know about getting it fixed unless I break it. And as sturdy as it seems, that doesn't seem likely.

I used to play bass a lot in the late 60's & early 70's, quit for a few decades, and started again. I mostly play for my own amusement (which isn't very amusing with a bass!), but sometimes get to jam with other old guys who are also trying to recapture their youth. I love the sound of this thing, but I wish is were a few tons lighter.

If I lost it, I doubt if I could find another guy willing to swap a piece of pro wrestling memorabilia for a Warlock. I'd probably go the opposite extreme and get an acoustic bass.

I've played a Harmony Precision Bass clone, an EB-0, and a Baldwin hollow body. This compares favorably to all of them. It hangs on the shoulder strap similar to the Harmony, while the neck reminded me more of the EB-O.

On one hand, I love the look of it, as it seems donwright NASTY just proped in its case. On the other hand, I hate the look of it as the minute I take it out of the case, other musicians shake their heads in astonishment that I'm playing what looks like some sort of Satanic artifact. And the metallic pink is really tough to deal with. It looks like what the bass player would use if Metalica and the Village People merged.

I think that I should refinish the thing in jet black.