There aren’t many axes that can make the Dean Razorback look like a butter knife, but BC Rich has done it with the new Draco. Test it? We’re scared to even touch it…

Winning features like the mahogany thru-neck, ebony fretboard and twin-rail neck pickup all support a considerable price tag, but it’s the Rockfield Fat Ass bridge ’bucker that offers most potential.

“The Rockfield was designed for players that have those crazy super-acrobatic styles that we all stare at in amazement,” notes the website. “The custom bobbins house larger polepieces that help transfer string vibration from pulls, bends and leads for less tonal drop-off and better articulation and note definition.”

Verdict

While it’s visually as divisive as Marmite and should probably offer a vibrato, the Draco balances better than you’d think and impresses with the bend-friendly fretboard and the endless sustain of the thru-neck. A combined volume/pickup selector gives the choice of neck or bridge - but not both - and the absence of a tone further squeezes options, but who needs tweakability when the default setting rocks this hard?

The rail is thick and thumping, but it’s the Fat Ass that hits hardest, matching the claims of pin-sharp clarity and lending unique sneer to solos. We like.

4 Stars

Pros: Eye-popping visuals, bridge tone.
Cons: You risk looking ridiculous.

BUY: BC Rich Draco currently available from Thomann

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