The Story of the Bo Diddley "Jupiter Thunderbird, Cadillac &
Cigar Box 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.
Bo Diddley in his Heyday
No Wonder My Parents Wouldn't let Me Listen To
That
Evil Jungle Music
Billy Gibbons & Criss Angel Pop Into My Store
Unexpectedly
This aired on some reality show
Other parts of it aired on Criss Angel Mind-Freak 1st Show
Custom Reverse Jupiter Thunderbird
These 2 pics illustrate the difference
between the reverse & regular model
Billy has at least 20 of them in varying colors & styles.
Gretsch only offers one model.
The ones we manufacture come with neck thru bodies
and they are made in the USA
We built these 6 years before Gretsch !!!
ZZ Top Guitars Available From Ed Roman
(702) 597-0147
White Reverse Model With The Billy Caricature Graphic
Painted Fingerboard, Gold Filtertrons $7,500.00
The Big Muddy Model !!!!
|
Big Muddy
Cadillac Model
Reverse Jupiter Thunderbird
Jellybean
Almost 6 Inches Thick Weighs less than 5 lbs
Billy Designed This Guitar For Bill Rich The Inventor Of The Air Guitar
This One Will Be Getting It's Neck Painted
We have to use maple for the fingerboard so the paint will stick
We Have To Install The Frets After It's Painted
Jupiter Thunderbird Neck Thru Body Core
This Guitar Is Now Available For Sale
Call Ed Roman
Billy playing an Ed Roman RVC Mojoman & Bruce Conte From "Tower Of Power"
RVC is "Roman Vintage Custom" Guitars
Built for Brian May, Elliot Easton & Other Rockstars
Billy Gibbons Distressed Super Model
From the "House Of JB"
Call Ed Roman for guaranteed best price !!!
Custom Tailpiece By Ed Roman
The
Super 34" Eliminator
This is a photo of one of those cheap Guitar Hero controllers.
Perhaps you might like a real guitar like this...
Give us the word and we will build it for you, utilizing the finest
quality components there are.
The guitar will retain this concept but become a real hand built one
of a kind instrument.
There would be some additional perks to the
ZZ Top fan that wants to commission the first one.
It will his job to visit with Billy & see if possibly Billy might
want one built. We will arrange the entire meeting at the
customers & Billy's convenience.
Please Contact Ed Roman personally if you are the guy with balls
enough to commission the first one. Your Satisfaction Is
Guaranteed !!!!!
Ed Roman
Billy Clowning Around With A Jarrod & Brent In Our Shop