Homemade Billy-Bo copy and JTM45 test drive

[SG John]

Again, don't really know where to post this. I built this copy of a Gretsch Billy-Bo about 7-8 years ago. When I was thinking about building one, I asked Doug Kauer about them, and he graciously sent me a set of plans in .pdf and .dxf formats. It took quite a while to build it, as I was travelling for work. I did document it at ETSG and theguitargrounds.co.uk, but they are no longer. Besides, that was when photobucket went weird, and messed up everyone's photos on the forums.

Fast forward to now, and I've been playing this guitar a lot over the years. I never did any kind of demo for it. Before I move everything around again down here to do some more work on the cellar, I thought I would do a quick video. The playing is a bit stiff, as I didn't warm up at all. Amp setting were the same as last night, loud. The camera didn't really like it. I may invest in something to do better videos in the future.

About the guitar, it has a Honduran Mahogany body and neck, quilted maple top, and Palisander (Madagascar Rosewood) fingerboard. I'll post some of the build photos, if you want to see some.

 

[steveb63]

Sounds great man.... I heard Rory in there?

I thought so.

Sounding awesome man.

 

[SG John]

Sounds great man.... I heard Rory in there?

I thought so.

Sounding awesome man.

Yeah, a bit of Rory. And a bit of Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, B.Ӧ.C., Derringer, and messing around.

 

[Clockworkmike]

Sounds awesome dude! I checked it out on your YT page. You obviously know your poop when it comes to building!

 

[steveb63]

Coo,

Hawkwind? Woulda' never guessed.

The JTM45 and Billy Bo sound great together.

I've been using my "normal" lower input with mt Start lately, you can really grind it up using the lower sensitivity.

Nice work.

 

[eSGEe]

it really needs a bit of TWEAKING John........its ALMOST there ........perhaps if you send methe guitar for a ........"adjustment" ......you could achieve the goal ???
..........
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,
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,
,
justmessin with ya Bubba sounds great

if ya wanna wanna send me one..........................you "know" the one (THE ONE) I speak of
lucky bastard you

 

[SG John]

Sounds awesome dude! I checked it out on your YT page. You obviously know your when it comes to building!

Thank Mike. I honestly wonder sometimes. It's funny... yesterday I was on the weekly "Amp Club" virtual meeting, and they asked what I was thinking of building for my next amp. I said that I needed to finish my cellar projects, the T-Bird bass, Explorer, and Flying V projects that I'm in the middle of. Then, I can build a new amp. I am thinking of digging into the Champ group project. But, I'd rather dig into a Watkins Dominator after I finish some of the other stuff going on here.

 

[eSGEe]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
had me at T-BIRD BASS

 

[SG John]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
had me at T-BIRD BASS

This one?

 

[Clockworkmike]

Thank Mike. I honestly wonder sometimes. It's funny... yesterday I was on the weekly "Amp Club" virtual meeting, and they asked what I was thinking of building for my next amp. I said that I needed to finish my cellar projects, the T-Bird bass, Explorer, and Flying V projects that I'm in the middle of. Then, I can build a new amp. I am thinking of digging into the Champ group project. But, I'd rather dig into a Watkins Dominator after I finish some of the other stuff going on here.

The watkins/ WEM dominator would be really cool! The wedge V shape is really neat looking. Allegedly, its been claimed that Marshall mightve stole from this amps circuitry somewhat ( like the Bassman) for their famous Bluesbreaker.

 

[eSGEe]

This one?

View attachment 55653

this wood....................gives me wood

 

[SG John]

The watkins/ WEM dominator would be really cool! The wedge V shape is really neat looking. Allegedly, its been claimed that Marshall mightve stole from this amps circuitry somewhat ( like the Bassman) for their famous Bluesbreaker.

The schematics I've seen are identical. I know who can make me an accurate cabinet. Getting or making a chassis is another story.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Love the clean sound with the neck pickup.

 

[Clockworkmike]

The schematics I've seen are identical. I know who can make me an accurate cabinet. Getting or making a chassis is another story.

Yeah the angled chassis would be a hard one to dig up. Find a great metal fab shop and hope for the best maybe? Lol

 

[SG John]

Love the clean sound with the neck pickup.

Thanks Kerry. This guitar really does that traditional Gretsch sound with the neck and also middle switch position with both pickups. Having a master volume for the two pickups is a fun option. I love the tonal options you have with a Gretsch, and I got lucky with this one.

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

Thanks Kerry. This guitar really does that traditional Gretsch sound with the neck and also middle switch position with both pickups. Having a master volume for the two pickups is a fun option. I love the tonal options you have with a Gretsch, and I got lucky with this one.

Nice work all around John , and it was great to see/hear ya play.
Now you need to slip in a few more, going to go back and sub your Utube channel..
Cheers
Mitch

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Love it.

 

[Inspector #20]

Just really amazing work on all counts!!!!

 

[RVA]

Another amazing build and cool jam!

Man, those fitron pups are so distinct. Like mini hums with bite or upper register P90s.

 

[SG John]

Thanks Ray.

Yeah, those Filtertrons sound great. When I put them in the guitar, and I heard them for the first time, I loved them. I thought "Why switch to TV Jones?" They do everything a Gretsch is supposed to do. Especially when you use the middle switch position, and use both pickups. It has that Gretsch "quack" to the sound. It is quite a versatile guitar. It covers everything from the '50s Bo Diddley Beat to modern hard rock.