The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Billy Zoom's Jet Set:

Dr. Zoom X-Rays Please

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- Rated: 2 ↑
Mar 6, 2008 6:11 p.m. jetboy:

Billy it would be really cool if you could get someone at Gretsch to post a diagram showing the difference in routing between the standard modern Jet and your new model. Either here or on the Gretsch site. Thanks!
- Rated: 8 ↑
Mar 6, 2008 6:41 p.m. Power Tron Man:

Could you include your hand in one of the X-Rays so we can see your technique? Thanks. Sorry, couldn't resist. Not sure Gretsch has an X-Ray machine on hand, (does each guitar get a final X-Ray check-up?) maybe they could take a prototype to a chiropractor and have him do they X-Rays?
- Rated: 2 ↑
Mar 6, 2008 7:20 p.m. jetboy:

BillyZoom said: We then took it to a Kaiser medical center where we X-rayed it. From the X-rays, and the measurements, Steven Stern at the Custom Shop made a blueprint and a routing pattern, and started building a prototype.

Been there, done that Power Tron Man! Keep up!
- Rated: 8 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 3:24 p.m. Power Tron Man:

Boy do I feel sheepish? OK, maybe the X-Rays exist, but where can I read what you quoted above? I'd like to get one of these bad boys! Sorry if I was rude Jetboy...
- Rated: 30 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 3:32 p.m. Suprdave5150:

He stated on the other thread that if someone would tell him how to post pictures that he would. This must mean that he already has them.

cheers, Dave
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 3:45 p.m. BillyZoom:

I keep getting an error message. I'll try the X-ray again when the site isn't so busy.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 4:57 p.m. BillyZoom:

I hope you can see this well enough. Only the two little 1" squares under the bridge posts actually touch the top. The rest of the raised parts stop about 1/4" to 1/8" below the top. BTW, this is from Kaiser Medical Center.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 4:59 p.m. BillyZoom:

Here's the standard Jet reissue routing. It's all solid to the top.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 5:44 p.m. JazzBoxJunky:

Very cool. thanx for that Billy. Can we assume that the bridge is directly over those 1" squares?
- Rated: 49 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 5:45 p.m. otterbean:

Cool stuff. Jet guts.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 5:56 p.m. roadjunkie:

That X-ray is amazing!........... Now can we get you to strip out all the metal and get a MRI done?.......... You know? To find the woods sweet spot!

I KEED! I KEED! Thanks for posting that. I found that fascinating! What a difference 50 years make!
- Rated: 47 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 6:03 p.m. Curt:

Looks a lot like a CR Les Paul, should have a lot of soul.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:24 p.m. BillyZoom:

What's a CR Les Paul? Here's a picture of my two favorite original Silver Jets, 15697, and 17901. BZ
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:27 p.m. BillyZoom:

These were my two '57 Chets. The other guy is my friend Jeff Harlan. He owns them now. Steven at the Custom Shop wants to make a few copies of the 6121. I think that's a great idea, as long as I get one of them. 6120 - 22092 6121 - 23460
- Rated: 21 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:27 p.m. stjohn:

+1 for some really cool info and pics.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:30 p.m. BillyZoom:

In 1978, my first Silver Jet was stolen. I got it back eight months later, but while it was away, I had to make due with a '55 Duo Jet, # 16360.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:38 p.m. Curt:

What's a CR Les Paul?
It's the chambered cloud 9 as some call them.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:41 p.m. BillyZoom:

Our first album was on Slash Records. They were pretty low budget. They sent us to England in 1980, but we didn't have work visas, so they told us not to take instruments or look like we were there to work. Their UK rep assured me that his friend had a Duo Jet just like mine that I could use. Well.....this is what I got. One pickup was missing, the other was in pieces in the case, no arm on the Bigsby...not quite fifties. At least the beer was good. I ran into Ozzy in a pub, and took him to a party the GoGos were having. I didn't know who he was, and he didn't know who I was. He just liked Americans. I knew that one of our roadies was into Sabbath, and I thought it would make a good story. He was nice...ate no bats. BZ
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:46 p.m. BillyZoom:

Cloud 9?? Looks interesting. I liked Les Paul, but I was never really into Gibsons. When I was a kid, they were kind of an old man's guitar. Fender and Gretsch were Rock & Roll guitars. The only young guy who played a les Paul was John Sebastian from the Lovin' Spoonful. Nobody wanted to be like John Sebastian. BZ
- Rated: 47 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 7:55 p.m. Curt:

Cloud 9??
Here's a link and some nice guitars.

CR

And another...

MORE
- Rated: 8 ↑
Mar 7, 2008 10:46 p.m. Power Tron Man:

Wow Billy, thanks for contributing so much to this forum already! I've wanted a Silver Jet since I met you at the Gretsch Booth In January '98 and you and Dinah were talking about your "Signature" Jet. It's been a long time in coming! But I'm sure it's worth the wait. Do you know if it will be priced similarly to a Power Jet? Sincerely, Tom aka PowerTron Man.
- Rated: 25 ↑
Mar 8, 2008 3:11 a.m. Danman:
Hey Billy,

Thanks for all the fun info. And of course that X-ray.
I've been a fan of yours since the early eighties when I saw you in New York. Got my Jet because I saw you with yours. And a silver jet is the next in line. I just happen to love the color red a lot.
When did they change over to a different routing?
Does my 1957 Jet firebird have the same routing? When I tap the top I get the feeling that there are parts of the body touching the top. I hear hollow parts and not hollow parts. Do you hear the same when tapping the top? But then again I could be mistaken. I'm not home for the weekend, so can't see it but I'll take the back off on monday and take a better look.

thanks and again welcome on board!
- Rated: 23 ↑
Mar 8, 2008 4:34 a.m. Shuie:

Billy,

It's clear that you've been very determined that the guitar which bears your name is absolutely right. The long gestation of your instrument must have been extremely frustrating for you but you dug in your heels and insisted that it be built properly. This is a great credit to you.

This development process looks a lot like the Setzer scenario, where he was able, over time, to make the ply thinner, recreate the trestle bracing and, with TV Jones' input, transform the Filter'tron pickup design. These improvements were not confined to the Setzer line, and most of the hollowbodies available now are better instruments thanks to the lessons learned from his Gretsch affiliation.

This new Billy Zoom signature guitar will hopefully point the way to some positive revisions for the Duo Jet line in general. Where some would settle for a fancy paint job and some freebies, you said 'No, the current internal structure isn't right. It needs addressing'.

And you stuck to that principle, no matter how long it took.

So, thanks for your tenacity. And thanks, too, for spending a little time with us and sharing your pictures and stories.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Mar 8, 2008 5:00 a.m. Timthom62:

Thanks for the X-Ray, Billy. I'm looking forward to seeing the BZ Signature model.
- Rated: 14 ↑
Mar 8, 2008 5:36 a.m. Jim Selvaggio:

That guitar looks like an early seventies Roc Jet Billy.. slowly gaining in popularity.