Mind you, one does have to question the inclusion of a Strat-shaped guitar into the range when the whole point of the NJ Series was to offer the outlandish American designs at a cheap price. Still, in my books anyone who knocks out a guitar for (just) under £200 deserves a pat on the back. Despite what people would have us believe, the NJ Series is just another front for a Japanese budget range of guitars and the results are typical of that ilk. Certainly the shapes are borrowed from the legendary BC Rich instruments (with the exception of the ST) but little else remains.

Nobody can touch Ibanez in something like simple black or metallic blue MIJ RG for $1,199 dollars street including three DiMarzio pickups and Original Edge tremolo.It's always interesting to check out any make of guitar with an American name even when, like these, they are designed in America and made in Japan. But for anything under $1,200 dollars with great pickups and hardware, I would still go with Ibanez because of the necks and fretwork which are second to none.

They are comparable to similar Washburn, Yamaha, Jackson, Charvel, or LTD guitars. Overall USA (used) and NJ BC Rich guitars are the ones I would look at. The beginner ones are the ultra budget Bronze Series. Platinum Series is budget model and only fixed bridge ones are usable and locking trem ones are not all that good for tuning stability. It's very doable and I would put in full Duncan Blackouts or EMG 81/60 or Hetfield set and make it a keeper. The newer ones, like I saw on GC today is MIK, 499 dollars street, has MIK Floyd Rose Original and Duncan Designed active humbuckers. They are akin to our Standard Series and Iron Label guitars in terms of mojo.

Next up are MIJ NJ Series which usually have BC Rich pickups, and Floyd licensed trems and are generally good enough for professional work. Click to expand.Top of line are USA made and mine was 100% percent koa, had Grover tuners and a single DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup with top of the line Kahler 2300 trem.

B.c.rich nj series 35111