GPOTD 03.20.23 Yeeha!

[Motorik]

This ain’t your average Gretsch Billy-Bo! From the bench of Gretsch Custom Shop Master Builder Gonzalo Madrigal, this guitar features wood from—well, another bench—reclaimed from a roundup rodeo, and was acquired by Chicago Music Exchange from an FMIC private event.

Gretsch Custom Shop went “whole hog” on its Western theme when choosing appointments and hardware for this G6199-CST Roundup Rodeo Bench “Billy-Bo,” including a belt-buckle tailpiece depicting a scene around a chuck-wagon, metal-studded tooled leather–strap binding around the sides—complete with emblems of Texas longhorn steer—and even a number “7” carved right into the guitar’s top—which we think is a visible testament to this guitar’s provenance, indeed.

Outside of this guitar’s thematic visual aesthetic, the “Billy-Bo” body shape is modeled after the Gretsch model first dubbed the “Jupiter Thunderbird,” which is one of the signature Gretsch body shapes designed by influential blues guitarist Bo Diddley, himself.

The bluesman eventually gifted his personal Gretsch G6199 to Billy Gibbons, who used Diddley’s Jupiter Thunderbird on recordings, until eventually requesting a recreation of Diddley’s original instrument from Gretsch, so he could have a touring version, so as not to risk damage to Diddley’s guitar. Ever since, the Gretsch G6199 body shape has been affectionately renamed the “Billy-Bo,” in honor of its original owners.


Model: G6199-CST Roundup Rodeo Bench Reclaimed Wood
Part: 9252003995
Weight: 7lbs 1oz

Top Wood: Solid Rodeo Bench Reclaimed Wood
Back Wood: Solid Rodeo Bench Reclaimed Wood

Headstock Logos: Gretsch Logo
Neck Material: Flame Maple
Neck Shape: "C"
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Number of Frets: 22 Vintage Frets
Position Mark: Thumbnail Position Inlays
Side Positions: Cream Side Dots
Finish: Relic Lacquer
Colors: Natural
Machine Heads: Gotoh Tuning Machines
Neck Pickup: TV Jones Super'Tron Neck
Bridge Pickup: TV Jones Super'Tron Bridge
Bridge: Synchro Sonica
Tailpiece: Gretsch Belt Buckle Tail-Piece
Controls: Master Volume; Tone Switch with Treble Bleed; Pickup Selector Switch
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.co...199-cst-roundup-rodeo-bench-reclaimed-1442013

 

[dodgechargerfan]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEE-no.

 

[jp_nyc]

It looks like it was made out of an old table found in a frat house dumpster at the end of the spring semester.

 

[Machinegunner]

It has a vibe about it, I dig.

 

[Knox in Box]

Nah dog.....

 

[Monson]

Ha! That's pretty rad, and a little scary. Would be cool for a concept band, like Bob & The Log Ladies or something like that.

 

[Gorgon90]

My first thought was that Fred Flintsone wants his guitar back. Second thought was not for me, thank you.

 

[tiger roach]

Uncle Tupelo tribute band!

 

[Chicken Man]

A bad idea, well executed, I guess. Would have to worry about scratching it.

 

[Flamencology]

I’d take it over a PRS or a superstrat any day.

Still… don’t love it? I feel like it could use a different headstock.

 

[Peen Simmons]

I dig the Billy Bo shape. Pickups and hardware situation (maybe minus the buckle) are rad. I’d probably like something a little more Cadillac than ranch aesthetically. But for this kind of showpiece guitar it gets the job done well.

 

[wok]

Firewood

 

[PunkKitty]

Nope

 

[DinoMikeSr]

It’s not my thing.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

I like it except for the splinters.

 

[Aahzz]

I dislike that body shape to begin with. I didn't think it possible to make a Billy-Bo that I liked even less than the normal ones, but here we are.

 

[BuzzBaloo]

 

[Chad]

I’ll take a regular one. I mean, that one looks pretty cool, but it looks more like an art piece than something you’d play.

 

[Lerxst]

Hopefully it comes w/ some tweezers and neosporin for all the splinters you're gonna get.

 

[Denverdave]

I do not like that body shape to begin with - and add the danger of getting splinters and that is a very hard pass.