Gretsch Billy-Bo Thunderbird Bass

[Billy Apple]

Anybody own one of these, or had one, or played one? I cant find much out there on them. I know there is one on Ebay at the mo.

Just wondering your thoughts on them if you have played one?

[jaydentaku]

I haven't played one but I love the look of them, They remind me of my Dearmond Jet Star.

[Beedster]

I hankered after one for a while but the short scale and the long price put me off

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1337810378' post='1665984']
I hankered after one for a while but the short scale and the long price put me off
[/quote]

Aye, you're not wrong there. I've been wondering why it is so pricey? If it was a bit less, then maybe there would be a few sales, but I think the cost pushes it to the wrong side of the decision making boundary.

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='jaydentaku' timestamp='1337809344' post='1665956']
I haven't played one but I love the look of them, They remind me of my Dearmond Jet Star.
[/quote]


I was having a look at the pic of you and yours yesterday. They are similar, and I think the Billy-Bo looks ace. How does the Jet Star balance?

Edited May 24, 2012 by billyapple

[jaydentaku]

That is a very good question! I haven't stood and played in for a very long while. Its only used for recording, so I never strap it up. I will let you know later, once I am home.

I would like to think its going to be just perfect, it wants to be, it's well made.

[BigRedX]

I think they look fantastic (no surprise there). Pity it's short scale and only has 4 strings though.

[Billy Apple]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1337875153' post='1666860']
I think they look fantastic (no surprise there). Pity it's short scale and only has 4 strings though.
[/quote]

Darn Tootin'! Proper '50's Sci-Fi look. I'm thinking they are short scale to prevent neck-dive, with the short top-horn

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GRETSCH-G6199-BILLY-BO-BASS-GUITAR-THUNDERTRONS-MADE-JAPAN-SIGNATURE-MODEL-/150822723554?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D150816659843%252B150816659843%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8648242973899472795#ht_1700wt_698"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GRETSCH-G6199-BILLY-BO-BASS-GUITAR-THUNDERTRONS-MADE-JAPAN-SIGNATURE-MODEL-/150822723554?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D150816659843%252B150816659843%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8648242973899472795#ht_1700wt_698[/url]

I emailed the guy from this sale, it turns out he is in Derry NI, and puts down London as a location so folk are not put off! He just sold one, and gave me the fellas user name, to contact him to get his thoughts. I'm wondering if he's on BC?

[jaydentaku]

I strapped it up and it's perfectly balanced