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Author Topic: BillyBo, my "summer" project  (Read 61700 times)

drbassman

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BillyBo, my "summer" project
« on: October 16, 2009, 04:44:01 AM »
I've decided to do a BillyBo for myself.  This is a basswood body, cut on a CNC machine by a friend in California.  It's gonna have a Fender Mustang profile neck, TV Jones pups, maybe a mahogany or cherry top over cavities for a nice hollow tone, probably faux binding.  I hope to get to it in the next month or so after I finish up the M-85 polishing.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2010, 05:53:00 AM by drbassman »
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Dave W

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2009, 07:41:39 AM »
Chris will be so jealous.
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Basshappi

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2009, 12:00:08 PM »
Looking forward to the project Doc!
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drbassman

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2009, 01:03:23 PM »
Thanks guys, I'll ya posted!
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Pilgrim

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2009, 05:21:54 PM »
(preparing to re-enter the depths of envy here...)
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godofthunder

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2009, 09:38:38 AM »
Um whats a "Billy Bo"?
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Highlander

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2009, 11:11:38 AM »
Scott...!

Keepin' em peeled...  8)
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Dave W

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2009, 11:15:47 AM »
From what I can tell, it was a special Gretsch called the Jupiter Thunderbird that they produced for Bo Diddley in the late 50s. He gave his to Billy Gibbons, one thing led to another and Gretsch issued a modified version of it as the Jupiter Thunderbird Billy Bo guitar, then a bass version. I think the bass is now discontinued. You can still buy the guitar version for 2.5K or so.

It's so ugly some people love it. Not I. YMMV.

EDIT: here you go. Beauty, eh?  ;D
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Pilgrim

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2009, 01:06:02 PM »
Billy played that bass at their gig in Denver this summer.  They had a matching guitar IIRC.  Very cool.

It's so "Jetsons" looking that I like it!
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drbassman

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2009, 06:19:24 AM »
I love the weird look of it.  I just couldn't paying over $2000 for the Gretsch model.  In fact, after this one, I'm gonna do one of these equally ugly basses...............

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildJetStarBass.php
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Pilgrim

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2009, 08:08:47 AM »
Nice.....and the pickup in that illustration would be a visual match for today's Darkstar.
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Highlander

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2009, 09:25:37 AM »
So ugly, only a mother could love it...  (in the nicest possible sense...;))

IIRC, that is the type of bass the girl uses in Jack Black's "School Of Rock"? my daughter loves the film...
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Dave W

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2009, 12:02:10 PM »
Quote from: drbassman on October 18, 2009, 06:19:24 AM
I love the weird look of it.  I just couldn't paying over $2000 for the Gretsch model.  In fact, after this one, I'm gonna do one of these equally ugly basses...............

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildJetStarBass.php

Gumby!

« Last Edit: October 19, 2009, 04:18:44 AM by drbassman »
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drbassman

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2009, 04:18:53 AM »
Quote from: Dave W on October 18, 2009, 12:02:10 PM
Gumby!



Yep, there's a Gumby off in the distant future!
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Chris P.

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Re: BillyBo, my next winter project
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2009, 05:09:23 AM »
Yep, jealous! 8)
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