Used 2019 Gretsch Masterbuilt G6199 Billy Bo by Stephen Stern – Relic

Condition Report

This Masterbuilt marvel is in fantastic condition! It shows hardly any signs of use, and it has no cosmetic flaws to report. It comes with its original hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity, too!

Sonic Evaluation

Man, Stephen Stern sure has a way of making magic in his workshop, because this Masterbuilt Billy Bo is a profoundly inspiring instrument! It simultaneously fulfills my desire for both iconic Gretsch sounds: the twang, jangle and sparkle AND the raw, pure Neil Young/Malcolm Young nastiness. Whenever a guitar inspires me to write a new song while I'm evaluating it, it's a good sign that it's a great guitar. After I tuned it up, I found myself sketching out almost an entire song before I even plugged in! That speaks to this guitar's liveliness and supreme acoustic resonance.

I could basically find 100% of the Gretsch tones when I plugged in thanks to the easy-to-use six-way switch. I'd be happy with this guitar even if it just had the bridge pickup, to be frank. It sounds like a fanged church bell from hades through a dirty amp and gloriously sparkly through a clean amp. The neck and bridge together give you the iconic jangle and vocal twang for Americana excursions, and the in-between positions blend that classic tone with some Strat seasoning for flavor. The neck pickup is warm and beefy but still clear enough to play fancy college boy chords.

But, what truly makes it special can't be quantified on an EQ chart. It's just one of those guitars that makes ideas flow. From the second you plug this thing in, you're riffin' away! I have no doubt you'll find it as inspiring as I do!

Masterbuilt Magic

When a master craftsman builds an instrument by hand all by themselves from start to finish, it imbues the instrument with a special brand of magical mojo that is easy to see, hear, and feel but hard to quantify. They reflect the individual personality of the builder so much that they attain distinctly human quality that makes them feel like an old friend from the moment you pick them up. It’s almost as if they have souls of their own, and nowhere is this soulfulness more evident than in our collection of Fender Masterbuilt instruments.

Each of the instruments you see on this page is the product of decades of hard work and an endless supply of passion. The people who currently hold the title of Masterbuilder under the Fender/Gretsch umbrella have all spent years learning the ropes from the masters that came before them until they climbed the ranks and reached the upper echelon of elite guitar builders. They are some of the most adept craftspeople in the industry, and their skilled hands imbue the instruments they build with the sort of dynamic response and expressiveness that you normally only find in vintage instruments.

This guitar has been built to the exacting standards of some of the most meticulous craftspeople in the world, and it has a heart and soul that reflects the personality of the builder, Stephen Stern. We’re proud to present this Masterbuilt Gretsch, and we know its timeless tone and superior playability will provide you with years and years of musical joy.