Warlock NJ Deluxe Review

This is a decent guitar for both playing at home and live. For me the BC Rich Warlock NJ deluxe is a great metal guitar.

Features:	9.3
Sound:	9.3
Action:	9.3
Reliability:	9
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.4
Reviewer rating:	9.2
Users rating:	7.5
Votes:	36

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: Grimriffer, on december 17, 2009

Price paid: $ 930

Features: This guitar was made in Korea in 2009. It's a 24 jumbo frets on 25.5 scale neck. The neck itself is made from mahogany and the fingerboard is ebony. Body is made from Mahogany and its neck-thru. It has an onyx-black-mirror finish. Body style-duh-It's a warlock! The bridge is a double locking Floyd Rose 1000. The guitar is equipped with the active EMG 81/85 set. It has 2 volume controls and one tone control and a three-way switch. // 9

Sound: I mostly play hard rock and metal. Anything from Sabbath and Maiden to Pantera and Slayer.

In my opinion this guitar suits my playing perfectly. Firstly, the EMGs are really hot while still maintaining clarity and a clean sound - perfect for shred. Another thing I like in EMGs is how easy it is to do squeals and harmonics. That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

What many people won't like in EMGs is how 'dead' & 'sterile' they sound and the fact that they need batteries is also a turn-off for a lot of people. Another point against the EMGs is the lack of versatility. These pickups sound too br00tal for anything else.

I played this guitar thru a Marshall Marshall JCM800 tube amp and a solid-state Behringer GMX212. The guitar sounded meh when running thru a solid state amp but sounded godly when played thru a decent tube amp. The dark and full sound of the mahogany is dulled by the fact that the warlock is equipped with EMGs but it is felt nonethless. The sustain of this axe is over the top because of the body size and shape and the pickups it is equipped with. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: I don't know how it was set-up at factory since the store owner sets up all his guitars perfectly to his taste. The pickups were adjusted properly but I lifted them up to get a louder sound and a more 'razory' tone. But to each his own. The guitar was flawless. After careful inspection I came to the conclusion that everthing was properly done. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This axe looks pretty solid and it should withstand Live playing easily. I repeat, everything is solid and properly made. Only fools play without backups but this seems like a very dependable guitar. It is pretty heavy though, but a real man should never whine about that! // 9

Impression: Overall, this is a decent guitar for both playing at home and live. For me the BC Rich Warlock NJ deluxe is a great metal guitar. If this guitar were stolen or lost I would be sad but I wouldn't fret much since it's easily replaceable. I can compare this guitar to the Dean Razorback 255 but with exception that the warlock's got an ebony fretboard. I hope this review helped you. // 8

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: JonBon_Ramboni, on december 20, 2011

Purchased from: MCDC

Features: This guitar was made in the year 2011 at the Korean factory. The main features of this guitar are: 24 jumbo frets, a thin neck, EMG 81/85 active pick ups, three way selector switch, two volume knobs, one tone knob, reversed head stock, set-in neck, real floyd rose bridge and locking nut.

The guitar has a flat top and is painted a satinish black color. Pearl binding covers the perimeter of the guitar body, neck, and headstock. The neck has only one inlay which is on the 12th fret. It looks like two nails or knives converging on each other. It comes with standard tools like allen keys and some extra springs for the floyd rose. My guitar does not come with a case but you can get a square hard case, a Coffin case, or a gig bag. // 9

Sound: Although most people in the market for this guitar are likely playing metal, you could easily produce sounds suitable for less aggressive styles of music. The cleans come through very bright and warm. There's very little feedback from this guitar when the distortion is cranked. I play through a Roland Cube 40 practice amp with a metal zone pedal and some other effects. The only thing you can't get sound wise from this guitar is a single coil sound, but it's no great loss. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was set up perfectly from the factory. I recently bought a B.C. Rich from the Chinese factory and it was terrible. The extra money for a guitar from the Korean factory is definitely worth it! My only problem is that some of the frets were popping up on the 1st string side of the neck. I had my local shop repair them. I've owned 20 guitars and only ever seen this on another B.C. Rich and an LTD. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is solid. I'd use it at gigs without hestitation. The finish is good enough to last but I hate it when they paint the back of the neck. My thumb feels like it sticks compared to a bare neck. The strap buttons are solid but I'd replace them with strap locks just to be safe. // 8

Impression: I've been playing about 6 years, mostly thrash metal influenced playing, and this guitar is a good match! I've owned about 20 guitars from various brands like Jackson, Ibanez, ESP/LTD, Dean, and B.C. Rich. This guitar is good value for the money and would easily rival any of the brands listed above except Ibanez. I find Ibanez guitars have the best necks and that sets them apart from the rest.

If something happened to this guitar I'd try to replace it with another Warlock. I chose this particular model because of the binding, the headstock, and the bare fret board. If you're looking for a good metal guitar and you like the looks of B.C. Rich then definitely check one of these babies out. Just make sure when you buy B.C. Rich you get a Korean or USA model. The "MADE IN CHINA" models are beyond toilet worthy. // 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: telecaster king, on december 07, 2011

Price paid: $ 373.45

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: This guitar was made in Korea in 2009. It's a 24 jumbo frets on 25.5 scale neck. The neck itself is made from mahogany and the fingerboard is ebony. Body is made from Mahogany and its neck-thru. It has an onyx-black-mirror finish. Body style It's a warlock! The bridge is a double locking Floyd Rose 1000. The guitar is equipped with the active EMG 81/85 set. It has 2 volume controls and one tone control and a three-way switch. // 10

Sound: In my opinion this guitar suits my playing perfectly. Firstly, the EMGs are really HOT while still maintaining clarity and a clean sound - perfect for shred. Another thing I like in EMGs is how easy it is to do squeals and harmonics. That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

EMG's are the sound of Bullet For My Valentine, Slayer, Metalicca, Black Tide, and Slipknot. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I don't know how it was set-up at factory since the store owner sets up all his guitars perfectly to his taste. The pickups were adjusted properly but I lifted them up to get a louder sound and a more "razory" tone. But to each his own. The guitar was flawless. After careful inspection I came to the conclusion that everything was properly done. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This axe looks pretty solid and it should withstand Live playing easily. I repeat, everything is solid and properly made. Only fools play without backups but this seems like a very dependable guitar. It is pretty heavy though, but a real man should never whine about that! // 10

Impression: Overall, this is a decent guitar for both playing at home and live. For me the B.C. Rich Warlock NJ Deluxe is a great metal guitar. If this guitar were stolen or lost I would be sad but I wouldn't fret much since it's easily replaceable. I can compare this guitar to the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR but with exception that the warlock's got an ebony fretboard. I hope this review helped you. // 10

Comments

[good_blink_plan]

I could take it seriously until you said "br00tal". you just can't take a review seriously with that in there. im sorry.

[EpiExplorer]

Yer right, and also this:

That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

What many people won't like in EMGs is how 'dead' & 'sterile' they sound and the fact that they need batteries is also a turn-off for a lot of people. Another point against the EMGs is the lack of versatility.

Is totally false, ALL active pickups have fuzz, no matter how little distortion you have. And dead and sterile? Obviously thats come from someone who's never used them before..

[Grimriffer]

it was sarcasm

[richardp12]

+ im pretty sure he meant noise free in comparison to the usual...

[Pingis_Or_Death]

What are you guys bitchin' about? It was a good review imo. Have you written any reviews for this site per chance?

[dakotakoerner]

hmm, it looks pretty and badass and all.. but don't think i'd get one. personally i think anything over 700 bucks is a little much for a guitar...

[Ryan-165]

nice guitar, mates getting the NJ warbeast, pretty sick

[megano28]

I highly reccomend this or the "v" to anyone out there. I personally paid $550(ebay)for mine and it has quality parts on it. C'mon the emgs and floyd by themselves have a 400 buck value!

[Grimriffer]

The warbeast is hard to play sitting: the upper horn pushes into your ribs.

[jean_genie]

EpiExplorer wrote:

Yer right, and also this:

That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

What many people won't like in EMGs is how 'dead' & 'sterile' they sound and the fact that they need batteries is also a turn-off for a lot of people. Another point against the EMGs is the lack of versatility.

Is totally false, ALL active pickups have fuzz, no matter how little distortion you have. And dead and sterile? Obviously thats come from someone who's never used them before..

I've used them before. I think they sound sterile. In fact, three of the four bands he named don't use active pickups. Dave Mustaine thought EMGs sounded too sterile too - which is why he got ann "active Jazz and JB set" made by Seymour Duncan, as their site describes it.

Not saying your taste for EMGs isn't valid ... just saying your bashing of other people's opinions isn't valid.

Personally, I'm going to side with Dave Mustaine on this one, over some guy on a website that makes sweeping 'you agree with me or you're an idiot' generalizations.

That said, excellent review. To the point, but thourough. I was never very impressed with new BC Rich guitars, but the reviewer did an excellent job backing up his opinions.

6.5/10 on the guitar from my experience.
10/10 on the review.

[EpiExplorer]

Pingis_Or_Death wrote:

What are you guys bitchin' about? It was a good review imo. Have you written any reviews for this site per chance?

I've done 9 o.e

[Grimriffer]

To EpiExplorer: Dude, EMGs work like intended only with tube amps. And I'm dead serious that their dead silent.

[VanjaKarakas]

Hay is Floyd Rose Made in Germany and by schaller or what?

[Edika]

No they don't use the ones made in Germany. I have the NJ jrV deluxe and the floyd says Made in China. Maybe it's not as good as the Schaller made but it holds it's tuning and you can even make the flutter effect

[Ckinz]

I totally need this guitar i play a cheap ibanez and want a more metal tone. Would this be the right one?

[Guynametyler]

This is one of my dream guitars, it looks killer.
And sounds killer from what i've heard from my local shop.

[Hydraulics]

EpiExplorer wrote:

Yer right, and also this:



That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

What many people won't like in EMGs is how 'dead' & 'sterile' they sound and the fact that they need batteries is also a turn-off for a lot of people. Another point against the EMGs is the lack of versatility.



Is totally false, ALL active pickups have fuzz, no matter how little distortion you have. And dead and sterile? Obviously thats come from someone who's never used them before..

sorry dude i disagree mine on my ESP Eclipse II VB and my NJ Warlock Deluxe are super dead silent and yes they can sometimes sound sterile through standard settings

[Grimriffer]

Edika wrote:

No they don't use the ones made in Germany. I have the NJ jrV deluxe and the floyd says Made in China. Maybe it's not as good as the Schaller made but it holds it's tuning and you can even make the flutter effect

Made In China? That's weird. My Warlock is equipped with a FR-1000 that says made in Korea. IMHO it's pretty decent. You can always stick in a Schaller made one since the cavities are exactly the same. But don't get your hopes high about that Schaller feeling different or holding the tuning better. The differences are minimal.
To the dude asking how metal this sounds... I bought this guitar on very heavy Suffocation fanboyism basis)

[Nameless742]

EpiExplorer wrote:

Yer right, and also this:



That is something a guitar must have for The Music I play. Lastly, the EMGs are very 'noise free'.

What many people won't like in EMGs is how 'dead' & 'sterile' they sound and the fact that they need batteries is also a turn-off for a lot of people. Another point against the EMGs is the lack of versatility.

Is totally false, ALL active pickups have fuzz, no matter how little distortion you have. And dead and sterile? Obviously thats come from someone who's never used them before..

They are fuzz-free for me.
Sterility ain't to true either, it's different from your seymours and all. They aren't very versatile though, that's true.

[smokedhamtaro]

I had to choose between an rr3 white with black pinstripe and this guitar. Chose the rr3

[beansubitch]

I've been looking into buying one of these and have a few questions... I really don't get what you mean when you say that the EMG's sound really hot and clear, yet dead and sterile... that doesn't make sense to me... can anyone elaborate? EMG's are intended mostly for heavy metal use only right? Is that what you mean when you say that EMG's aren't versatile? Is this guitar good for a Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica style of music? I've read a lot of reviews with mixed feelings about this guitar but for 800 bucks, that doesn't seem too bad - unless, you can get one with higher quality for the same price?

[Leather Sleeves]

beansubitch wrote:

I've been looking into buying one of these and have a few questions... I really don't get what you mean when you say that the EMG's sound really hot and clear, yet dead and sterile... that doesn't make sense to me... can anyone elaborate? EMG's are intended mostly for heavy metal use only right? Is that what you mean when you say that EMG's aren't versatile? Is this guitar good for a Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica style of music? I've read a lot of reviews with mixed feelings about this guitar but for 800 bucks, that doesn't seem too bad - unless, you can get one with higher quality for the same price?

Actives are great for metal, however, everyone has their own opinion about what they sound like.

The main difference between them and passives is the actives give you a broader response through the tonal range. So your lows don't get muddy or overly distorted which is why they're great for metal. Also having a pre-amp they ad more drive to your rig and allow for better sounding pinch harmonics and other simlar things.

The drawback is they tend to give you a very similar sound no matter what guitar they're in, making your actual selection a little irrelevent. However, some people say they do pair well with mahogany body guitar with rose wood fret boards.

As for this guitar, I have a similar one and added those pickups myself and it sound great, but mines a neck-thru, which is better when paired with a floyd for added sustain. That being said, the emgs actually have wicked sustain.

[MaggaraMarine]

beansubitch wrote:

I've been looking into buying one of these and have a few questions... I really don't get what you mean when you say that the EMG's sound really hot and clear, yet dead and sterile... that doesn't make sense to me... can anyone elaborate? EMG's are intended mostly for heavy metal use only right? Is that what you mean when you say that EMG's aren't versatile? Is this guitar good for a Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica style of music? I've read a lot of reviews with mixed feelings about this guitar but for 800 bucks, that doesn't seem too bad - unless, you can get one with higher quality for the same price?

Actives lack the twang. And I like twang but that must be because I don't play modern metal. And modern metal sound isn't very twangy. They are good for heavy distortion but mild overdrive sounds are not that good. Active cleans though are pretty cool IMO and maybe better than passive but only for that kind of clean-clean sound (that you need for heavy metal ballads or clean riffs). If you want some bluesy or classic rock sounds then actives are not your thing. Because for those styles you need the twang.

[swave75]

Looks bad to the bone.

[Air_Stryker]

I know general consensus dictates that Warlocks are for crappy metal-core bands and make it look like you're trying too hard... But damn, that IS one sexy guitar. =)

[unnamedplayer]

Air_Stryker wrote:

I know general consensus dictates that Warlocks are for crappy metal-core bands and make it look like you're trying too hard... But damn, that IS one sexy guitar. =)

Death metal maybe, but metalcore?? You must be from somewhere where metalcore was 'hip' or something. Glad I missed that.