MusicRadar

The Virgo's ideal if you're after metal sounds.

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• Review

We'd wager that, as soon as any guitarist mentions weird shapes, the name of BC Rich jumps to mind.

That company has made its huge reputation on the back of some classic designs and, although such restrained models as the EM-1 may widen the brand's appeal, most of us would prefer the likes of The Beast and Warlock.

The Virgo shape was launched in 2004 and its symmetrical design mixes outrageous points with smooth curves, making it an instant smash - just mind yourself on the SOB headstock...

It's a lightweight guitar, clocking in at less than six pounds, with a nato body and bolt-on maple neck that offers an ebony fingerboard and a modern thin feel. Pickups are both BC Rich models, designed to provide a huge level of output, and controlled by a standard three-way plus master volume and tone pots.

Sounds

Top of the range BC Rich guitars are among the best you can buy, but models from lower down the scale tend to offer fewer tonal possibilities.

However, if you're into metal and the hardest of rock then most options, and this one in particular, will easily float your boat.

There's plenty of drive on tap with rhythm passages nicely balanced between restrained aggression and sheer aural murder. Oh, and be careful of the neck pickup: at high volumes it can fell buildings...