Then stop looking at cheezy import models and step up to the handmades my friend. Well , the early handmades. I wouldnt go near B.C. Rich's current shop even though all the guys there are good guys. Now to the knobs ....
The knobs do an array of things , you can get some killer tones out of them.
http://www.nealmoser.com/Bichwiringdiagram.htm
Oh and id stay clear of buying BCR's from Roman. Ive heard that he's made alot of fakes in his day.