Billy Gibbons, Bo Diddley, Cadillac Guitar

Abstract Cadillac Guitar

Home > All Guitars > Abstract Guitars & Basses > Models > Body Cores

The Third Model From The Original Bo Diddley, Billy Gibbons Trilogy

The One Below is The Blues Style Model With Tuna Matic Bridge
Sounds Awesome With A Tom Holmes Pickup, See The Billy Gibbons Guitar Book

Roman Abstract Cadillac Custom Shop Guitar


 
 
The rarest of the Bo Diddley trilogy of custom shapes. Bo did not use this one as much as the rectangular guitar or the Jupiter Thunderbird.

Billy Gibbons was a big fan of this guitar long before he started using the Billy Bo AKA Jupiter Thunderbird.

In fact he went to guitar builder Tom Holmes 30 years back to have Tom make him a smaller version of the Cadillac, which is today called the BG1 (Billy Gibbons 1)
You can see Billy using it in the early ZZ Top videos.

 

The Story of the Bo Diddley Trilogy Of Guitars
"Jupiter Thunderbird,      Cadillac,     Rectangular Guitars."

If someone or somebody knows something I don't
please contact me ASAP so that I might make any corrections.

Sometime back in the 60's or early 70's,  I don't have an exact date or even a point of reference.  Elias McDaniel AKA Bo Diddley who was a real innovator, decided to design himself some cool, distinctive looking, futuristic guitars. He felt that playing the same guitar that everyone else played was counterproductive to his career.  As a former band manager & concert promoter I concur whole heartedly with what Bo was thinking.

Bo approached a guitar builder in White Plains, New York, known only as Giulliano  (Pronounced Juliano) . Bo knew him from when he was the production manager of Gretsch Guitars 60 Broadway NYC NY.

Giulliano constructed the three now famous guitars & Bo named them after automobiles that he liked. These were never Gretsch guitars, These were custom made creations that employed the use of Gretsch necks.  Bo was seen using the Jupiter Thunderbird, quite a bit however the Cadillac he used more in the studio

Bo's Girlfriend "The Duchess" used the Cadillac quite often and it became synonymous with her.  See Below

I have heard all kinds of variations to this story from many different people. I have only written what seems to be repeated over & over by people that I know and respect in the industry.

The Great Elias McDaniel  AKA  "Bo Diddley"

 

 


Ed Roman in Las Vegas  is now  constructing all three models. Instead of making them set neck guitars, Ed has chosen to build these with the absolute highest level of quality using modern - vintage electronics, high quality woods and top grade bridges, tuners etc etc.

The Abstract guitars are not for everyone, They are not inexpensive like a cheap import and they are designed with the concept of making their owners better players.

These guitars are will still be around 100 years from now, they are true works of art and they sound awesome. Bo Diddley would have been proud !!!!

Ed Roman
702-875-4552

 

 

 

 

 

 

sitemap