Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Mil · Post by **Mil** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 3:42 pm

Which pickups are you going to install? Sorry if it was already discussed.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 4:01 pm

I ordered some nickle covered Pearly Gates pickups.

ThemBones75 · Post by **ThemBones75** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 7:09 am

HNB wrote:I ordered some nickle covered Pearly Gates pickups.

Gonna look and sound like Rev Billy G!

Mil · Post by **Mil** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:00 am

I wonder how would long 25.5 scale feel on the body? Even the original Gretsch with shorter scale and smaller headstock feels very long which is perfectly fine with me.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:25 am

The Billy Bo is 24.6 scale so it is only an inch shorter. Not that different.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:31 pm

Progress report. I got the body wetsanded. I need to not use Reranch stuff again. I haven't had good results with it. (Even though I know others have.) It is an ok finish. Not what I was hoping for. The wiring was a pain in the ass. Because of the configuration of the pots and toggle I had to run a bunch of wires back and forth. The holes it came with for running wires was too narrow to fit all the wires needed so I had to enlarge one of them and add another to be able to get the wiring through. The setup is toggle, lower knob is master volume, then neck volume, bridge volume, and master tone. I need a 7/8th drill to get the jack mounted. I also need to have the back plate made for it. I haven't fixed the bridge yet. I need to get a set of strings on and intonate it so I can mark where the bridge works best and then mount it. Mounting the pickup rings was a pain. Not sure I am happy with them. Some directions they look crooked and some they look fine. The body shape is so odd it is just too hard to tell. The pickups do sit under the guide strings fine though. Once I get a full set of strings on I can finish the bridge work.

michaeldwatson · Post by **michaeldwatson** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:31 pm

That's amazing. Can't wait to see it completely strung and finished up!

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:53 pm

Thanks!

strato51 · Post by **strato51** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:52 pm

Cool guitar and good Job.

I have made 2 Billy-bo....

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 8:38 am

Nice!

Deed_Poll · Post by **Deed_Poll** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:50 am

Sweet job HNB! The one change I'd make is having a chicken head knob on the upper horn.

Congrats!

invisible man · Post by **invisible man** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 11:11 am

Sweet! You have to make a demo playing some Bo Diddley tunes when you're done.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 2:06 pm

Jack cup is installed.

I also adjusted the pickups so they are more parallel now.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:57 pm

Strings on! I found the sweet spot for the bridge where the action and intonation were good. I marked the bridge and drilled a ground wire in to where the bridge humbucker mounts and fed the wire through. I am pretty happy with it. I just need the back control plate and the other strap button to be done. Sounds good also. The bridge is nice and bright and the neck is really warm. Middle is a great combo.

Shadoweclipse13 · Post by **Shadoweclipse13** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:12 pm

Dude that is SWEET looking. I know some people (yourself maybe?) had some doubts on how the color came out, but I have always believed that brown gets no love. That finish is epic. LOVE it!

OffsetGuitars.com

Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird

Re: Custom Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird