BC Rich Ironbird NJ Series 1986 Cort Factory/Korea – Pristine

What is it that makes a BC Rich NJ Series so special? Moreover, how does that pertain to this specific guitar? First and foremost, this guitar is not to be confused with those made in Nagoya Japan (which is typically what the NJ on the headstock indicates). In 1986, the NJ series production was moved to Korea and manufactured at the Cort facility.  And they were only produced at that particular factory during a single year. The guitars produced at Cort were generally constructed with a higher quality and the hardware for ‘86 was also better than subsequent years. In 1987, for example, ply bodies replaced the solid bodies and the hardware was cheapened in order to keep production costs down. Meaning, if you’re looking for the most sought after Ironbird (or any of the NJ series during that year), Cort in Korea is not going to be matched in terms of quality during that period.

BC Rich generally produced a maximum of 1,000 guitars per series, per year around this time. Some information can get a bit fuzzy depending on which website you’re reading up on these things. But I’ve personally read that some of the guitars were still produced in Japan during ‘86 as well. Which makes the production numbers for Cort a bit of a question mark if that’s true. If the Cort factory did indeed produce the maximum number of 1,000 Ironbirds that year, that’s still a fairly limited production number. If production began, or was divided between Cort and Nagoya Japan, that number might be less.  Either way, few of them survived the 80s. Very few, if any, were maintained in perfect condition. Which makes this guitar quite the rarity.

It’s a genuine time capsule piece. There is not a single scratch, ding or sign of rust anywhere. Everything has been kept stock since I purchased it back in ‘86. And I am the only owner. It’s pretty rare to find an Ironbird from this run in good condition. The likelihood of finding one of these in immaculate condition without a Time Machine is impossible. Believe me, I’ve looked. Even the “Made in Korea” sticker on the back of the headstock is intact. The color, “Glitter Rock White,” was BC Rich’s way of symbolizing cocaine.

Video: Shows guitar finish, points and curves up close.

Shipping: I will loosen the strings to reduce stress on the neck, thoroughly wrap and support the headstock, and put as much cushioning as I can inside the case. I have a thick piece of styrofoam I can cut and fit around the guitar body. Whammy bar and key to case will be taped to a piece of cardboard and packed well in the side compartment to prevent them from rattling around.