NGD: 80's MIJ BC Rich NJ Warlock with Kahler

[CleansingCarnage]

Didn't expect to buy a guitar but I found this 80's MIJ NJ series Warlock for really cheap locally and traded my least played 7 string for it. Not sure of the year yet, but it's from the Japan production run of the NJ series, it has a Kahler Flyer (which I'm already thinking about upgrading), it has most likely stock in-house pickups, and an original neck plate which reads "LA California USA". Pretty happy with the find and I knew I had to snatch it up. It sure is heavy though.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

I need to find a replacement screw for the string clamp and/or figure out which Floyd locking nut I could use. If anyone has any input into either of those subjects, please let me know.

 

[JSKrev]

I think that one is Class Axe era, meaning MIK. The bolt-on ones with the unfinished necks and that plate normally were. Some were made in the US by Kramer (I think), but it said Made in USA on the headstock.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

I think that one is Class Axe era, meaning MIK. The bolt-on ones with the unfinished necks and that plate normally were. Some were made in the US by Kramer (I think), but it said Made in USA on the headstock.

Can you point me to any more resources to that effect? I've seen tons of similar models that people say are Japanese and assuming that the serial number has the year code in the first digit, that means in was made in or before 1985 which is before they moved any production to Korea. But there's not a lot of great information out there and I'm definitely not a BC Rich expert so I would appreciate any correct information.

 

[Grindspine]

Nice catch! I just did some upkeep[ on my USA Warlock NT and Platinum Warlock Bolt-on this weekend (new strings, oiled fretboards, tweaked the tremolo arm holder and spring tension, adjusted truss rod). Some of the old BC Rich guitars play damn nice if given a bit of care.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

Nice catch! I just did some upkeep[ on my USA Warlock NT and Platinum Warlock Bolt-on this weekend (new strings, oiled fretboards, tweaked the tremolo arm holder and spring tension, adjusted truss rod). Some of the old BC Rich guitars play damn nice if given a bit of care.

Yeah this one is going to need a little bit of work and currently doesn't stay in tune at all because it's not even close to set up with the Kahler. For me, part of the fun of buying guitars is working on them and fixing them up, though. I can easily allow myself to go too far, though. Going to be pretty tempting to refinish this one in a crackle.

 

[JSKrev]

Can you point me to any more resources to that effect? I've seen tons of similar models that people say are Japanese and assuming that the serial number has the year code in the first digit, that means in was made in or before 1985 which is before they moved any production to Korea. But there's not a lot of great information out there and I'm definitely not a BC Rich expert so I would appreciate any correct information.

I'll dig some stuff up for you. The brand has such a convoluted history that it's hard as to decipher. Even after they went to Class Axe, they continued to brand them NJ Series. The Japanese bolt-on models normally had a chrome MIJ neck plate or a serial number sticker on the headstock.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

I'll dig some stuff up for you. The brand has such a convoluted history that it's hard as to decipher. Even after they went to Class Axe, they continued to brand them NJ Series. The Japanese bolt-on models normally had a chrome MIJ neck plate or a serial number sticker on the headstock.

Alright, I would definitely appreciate any help in that regard.

 

[Damon67]

Aside from the finish and the bare neck, that's basically Eddie's guitar in the last season of Stranger Things... which was supposed to be '86.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

Aside from the finish and the bare neck, that's basically Eddie's guitar in the last season of Stranger Things... which was supposed to be '86.

Yep, it is pretty much the exact same configuration. I have been talking to a few people and doing some research myself and I have pretty definitively narrowed it down to 85 or 86. Apparently after Class Axe took over and moved all production to Korea in 87, they stopped using the Kahler bridges and started using licensed Floyds.

Several other people with the same model have told me it has to be one of those two years. The NJ catalog from 86 states that the NJ models are made in Japan and assembled in the US.

Since it's so similar to Eddie's guitar, I have considered giving it a crackle finish. I've already purchased a Kahler 2300 Pro from the 80s and a Dimarzio D-Activator X for the bridge, but I'm going to keep the originals. Still on the fence about giving it a refinish or keeping it totally original... the finish is in very good shape so I don't know if I'll have the balls to change it, but on the other hand I don't know if I'll have the will to keep from messing with it, lol.

 

[Damon67]

I'm still holding on to #1 of 200. A USA copy of an import LOL.

 

[CleansingCarnage]

I'm still holding on to #1 of 200. A USA copy of an import LOL.

Oh wow, that's incredible. Hold on to it you should!

 

[iff]

Congrats! I used to have one of those NJs but with the curved headstock. It's funny seeing how much the Warlock shape has changed over the years, NJs look so skinny compared to the current ones.

I need to find a replacement screw for the string clamp and/or figure out which Floyd locking nut I could use. If anyone has any input into either of those subjects, please let me know.

Whammy Parts is your friend for Kahler parts.

These are the screws you appear to have - https://whammyparts.com/make-model/...ts/kahler-deluxe-stringlock-thumbscrew-detail

However this is what's supposed to be on that locking nut and buying three of them is still cheaper than a single one of the ones you have - https://whammyparts.com/make-model/...ck-parts/kahler-stringlock-clamp-screw-detail

They also have an eBay shop if the shipping prices are better for you there - https://www.ebay.com/str/whammyparts

 

[CleansingCarnage]

Congrats! I used to have one of those NJs but with the curved headstock. It's funny seeing how much the Warlock shape has changed over the years, NJs look so skinny compared to the current ones.


Whammy Parts is your friend for Kahler parts.

These are the screws you appear to have - https://whammyparts.com/make-model/...ts/kahler-deluxe-stringlock-thumbscrew-detail

However this is what's supposed to be on that locking nut and buying three of them is still cheaper than a single one of the ones you have - https://whammyparts.com/make-model/...ck-parts/kahler-stringlock-clamp-screw-detail

They also have an eBay shop if the shipping prices are better for you there - https://www.ebay.com/str/whammyparts

Awesome, thanks for the tip. I had looked at Whammy Parts but somehow I missed those ones.