Bernardo Chavez Rico
Encyclopedia
Bernardo Chavez Rico was an American luthier
specializing in guitar
s. Known as Bernie Rico Sr. or simply B.C., Rico was born in East Los Angeles
California
. Working with his father, Rico began his career building banjo
s and ukulele
s in the 1950s. Rico's original instruments were acoustic guitars
made under the name B.C. Rico. These acoustic guitars are very rare with approximately 300 surviving.
However, in 1967 the company name was changed to its present form, B.C. Rich
. Also a motorcycle enthusiast, Rico's work on his motorcycle paint jobs inspired him to create unusual finishes for his guitars.
Rico and his company went on to create several models of guitars and the company prospered.
In the late 80's to the early 90's, Bernie licensed B.C. Rich to New Jersey-based Class Axe. During this time Bernie produced handmade Mason Bernard
guitars. Approximately 300 solid-body guitars were produced with at least one acoustic produced. In 1993, Bernie returned to B.C. Rich to produce handmade guitars.
His sons have also continued in the proud tradition of building instruments with Bernie Jr. (Rico Jr. Guitars) showing the most success. His site can be found below.
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
specializing in guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s. Known as Bernie Rico Sr. or simply B.C., Rico was born in East Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Working with his father, Rico began his career building banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
s and ukulele
Ukulele
The ukulele, ; from ; it is a subset of the guitar family of instruments, generally with four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings....
s in the 1950s. Rico's original instruments were acoustic guitars
Steel-string acoustic guitar
A steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
made under the name B.C. Rico. These acoustic guitars are very rare with approximately 300 surviving.
However, in 1967 the company name was changed to its present form, B.C. Rich
B.C. Rich
B.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
. Also a motorcycle enthusiast, Rico's work on his motorcycle paint jobs inspired him to create unusual finishes for his guitars.
Rico and his company went on to create several models of guitars and the company prospered.
In the late 80's to the early 90's, Bernie licensed B.C. Rich to New Jersey-based Class Axe. During this time Bernie produced handmade Mason Bernard
Mason Bernard
Mason Bernard guitars are primarily stratocaster-style solid body electric guitar and electric acoustics made from 1990 to 1992 by Bernie Rico, the founder of B.C. Rich, and feature the "M Bernard" branding on the headstock...
guitars. Approximately 300 solid-body guitars were produced with at least one acoustic produced. In 1993, Bernie returned to B.C. Rich to produce handmade guitars.
His sons have also continued in the proud tradition of building instruments with Bernie Jr. (Rico Jr. Guitars) showing the most success. His site can be found below.