Used 2006 Gretsch G6199 With Case
SKU 80GRE052
by Gretsch
Sold out
Original price
$ 6,000.00
-
Original price
$ 6,000.00
Original price
$ 6,000.00
$ 6,000.00
-
$ 6,000.00
Current price
$ 6,000.00

One of a Kind!!!
For fans of Gretsch, Billy Gibbons and fascinating guitars with incredible stories, we have a special offering to present: this one of a kind find, straight from a vault in New Mexico, untouched and preserved.
Here we have a Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo, a unique guitar in itself.
The G6199 "Billy-Bo" Jupiter Thunderbird is a modern reinterpretation of the rare Gretsch Jupiter Thunderbird originally crafted in 1959 by Bo Diddley. This unique model was gifted to ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, who featured it on several recordings. To preserve the original from the rigors of touring, Gibbons collaborated with Gretsch to recreate the guitar, leading to the launch of this signature model in 2005.
Here we have one built in 2006, and that's where the story really gets interesting....
Mikey Wright started getting into the guitar at the tender age of 10 while growing up in New Mexico. This was the onset of a legendary ride through the music industry, including a stint at IMC, where he went on to design the Jackson Warrior, Futura Bass and a variety of other instruments. He's also had a long career as a tech, on the road with Grammy-winning artists, working for the show The Voice, and in between all that, joining Truetone Music’s repair shop. And that brings us to the Billy Gibbons connection.
While at Truetone, Mike was tapped by Billy Gibbons to make 4 crazy customized guitars, as Billy had made Mikey his go-to guy at Truetone. His incredible skills were put to good use and the relationship developed. One day, when Billy was in the store, Mikey asked him to sign a Gretsch Billy-Bo he had just purchased from the store's stock. Well, Billy did more than just that; he added custom pinstriping artwork along with his autograph. He did it right there at the repair shop counter in the middle of the store. This blew everyone away, and created a truly unique guitar. Mikey put the guitar back in the case and never played it, in an effort to preserve everything. Nearly 20 years later, here it is.
Today, Mikey Wright is back in Albuquerque where you can find him playing in bands, doing guitar repair work and sometimes parting with a few guitars from his massive collection. And this is one such guitar. Fittingly, it came back here to Truetone to sell, and the opportunity to own this one-of-a-kind guitar is now yours.
The original hardshell case is included, as well as the Certificate of Authenticity and all of the paperwork. This Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo is in excellent condition, has been setup to play perfectly, and is quite the find. It's the only one out there like it, that's for sure.
- Shape: Double cutaway, Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird
- Color: Firebird Red
- Material: Chambered Mahogany with Laminated Maple top
- Finish: Gloss Urethane
- Binding: 3-ply (W/B/W)
- Material: Mahogany
- Construction: Set-in
- Profile: Standard "U"
- Scale Length: 24.6" (625 mm)
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Number of Frets: 22
- Inlays: Neo-Classic "Thumbnail"
- Nut Width: 1.6875" (42.8 mm)
- Pickups: 2x TV Jones Power'Tron Plus (neck and bridge)
- Switching: 3-Position Toggle (Bridge, Bridge/Neck, Neck)
- Controls: Volume 1 (Neck), Volume 2 (Bridge), Master Volume, Master Tone
- Bridge: Adjusto-Matic with Pinned Ebony Base
- Tailpiece: Gretsch G-Cutout
- Tuners: Grover Sta-Tite Die-Cast
- Hardware Finish: Chrome
- Pickguard: Black
- Strap Locks: Schaller® Strap Lock System
- Case: Included (G6276 Hardshell Case)
Serial # JT06073755