Gretsch Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird Reviews
One of the great things about being a guitar hero, and there are many, is the ability to have major guitar makers build custom guitars for you — and one of the things that set founding father of Rock and Roll, Bo Diddley, apart from the rest (aside from the Bo Diddley Beat), is the custom guitars that he designed in 1959 for his band. That's how the Jupiter Thunderbird came into being. It was one of the three custom-made electric guitars that Gretsch built for the man who was there at the beginning of rock 'n' roll. The original Jupiter Thunderbird was given as a gift to ZZ Top guitar player, Billy F. Gibbons, by Bo himself. For the new version, Billy and Gretsch flipped the design upside down, which makes the headstock backward! Grab yours from Sweetwater today!
While this isn't an item we normally stock, we can still get it to you as fast as possible due to our great relationship with Gretsch. Go ahead and place your order and we'’ll follow up shortly to let you know when to expect it.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Thanks, Santa!
Just got mine. Serious mofo mojo!
Billy-Bo Speaking for itself
I bought this guitar because the reviews were so great and I love what Billy Gibbons has done for the music world, especially with his guitar work and sound innovation. I'm a guitar tech as well as player in a active band and I've owned over 50 guitars including other Gretsch guitars as well as PR, Fender, Gibson, and all the other brands and styles. From every angle (guitar tech to active gigging player) this guitar is COMPLETELY IMPRESSIVE. The Tone is amazingly transparent and different than anything out there but I must say I do not know how so much good MOJO was put in this guitar. The comfort is amazing and it's not too heavy... It's actually light and feels great. As with all the Japan built Gretsch guitars I've played the play-ability is amazing and effortless. I was looking for a Caddi-Bo but was unable to locate one but, I'm perfectly happy with the stock Billy-Bo. I love the pickups, they are a little hotter than the Brian Setzer but the guitar can still play around in Country and Blues as well as rock and Jazz just fine. Through my Bogner Shiva or any other amp I own, I'm continuing to grow love and respect such a wonderful instrument each day.
yes!
I love this guitar!
I have always compared playing every guitar to my 2001 Parker Fly Classic...while this guitar is a bit thick at the top, making access to the frets a bit tough, it is easy to wrap my paws around to do that "grab the root of the F chord shape with the thumb" thing...I can't do that easily with my Parker,
The guitar ships with 10s, but I prefer 9s, so I asked them to customize my order...no problem...they asked me about the way I liked to play and such, and the guitar arrived in tune ready to play.
I had never heard of TV Jones Powertron pickups before this guitar...they are a little hotter than I am used to, but I really like how they carry across the unwound strings.
wow
Blowed my mind. My other guitar player with is led paul standard was amazed with the billy bo sound .would never get rid of this jewel.
The Gretsch Jupiter.
I have always been a Les Paul person with a great deal of admiration for the Gibson commitment to this line of guitars.But in the past two months this wild child looking Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird guitar has simply amazed me?This is a "VALUE" for this guitar,in such a strong competitive market the Gretsch Staff are in!Make no mistakes about my rating on this guitar!The balance is exceptional to be conservative at best,easy to play,very well manufactured as all products with the Japanese Artist!These pick ups are fantastic,combined with the acceptance of these pick ups with my Marshall 1960 original 100 watt plexi tube amp.Also the change of pedal company have brought the old Tube Screamers back,This combined with my old Wah Wah is it,With this guitar you will waste dollars,due to the simple truth,you do not need anything else! Please go to an Official Gretsch Dealer,and change the excitement into your old stale music.This is a "UGLY" beast,and this guitar gives you no reason to play it,but once you do?It will change your life!I hate what a out of price guitar such as the PRS product line has placed on our once stable market,but I can honestly say,for any new or established guitarist?This is a great accomplishment for the Gretsch Staff,it will save you a load of money on pedals with the Engineering of these pick ups!Alot of my change for sound is at the guitar now,and not on the effects pedals,or the multi three tube amps in one box shite?I will began Monday with my brothers,and two sons to re-introduce the Black Shamrock musicians.For closure,I do not advertise for no one,and I have never had a taste for kissing ***!But it feels great to feel the late 60's,and 70's music,and not "MUZAK" when all you had was you,a guitar and a tube screamer,and wah wah pedals to perform?
The real deal!
Put on your cheap sunglasses and crank it up! This guitar is not for the meek. Guaranteed to bring out your inner Billy F. Gibbons!
Not a Gimmick Axe
So, I bought one really because of the look. I never thought the shape would actually be a plus. However, my right forearm rests in a really perfect angle on the body and it has increased my speed and attack. Really an amazing change in the ergonomics. The tone? Really not the Gretchy tone; lots of snarl and bite. Fun, fun.
Listen to Billy
I must admit that I'm quite surprised with this guitar. It was purchased on a whim and I was concerned about the build quality but I've found myself playing it all the time. The tone is great with a wonderful grind that i haven't heard on any LP or strat. Sure, you can sound just like ZZ Top but there is much more to this guitar. This is just plain fun to play.
