Gretsch G6129BZ Billy Zoom Makes A Good "X"-Mas Present

July 09, 2008
Gretsch G6129BZ Billy Zoom At Summer NAMM

Gretsch didn't have many new guitars at Summer NAMM 2008, but one special ax did catch our attention: the Gretsch G6129BZ Billy Zoom. I wonder if Zoom has approached the ex-X guitarist about a signature pedal, or if that would just be too confusing.

It may not be immediately apparent why a punk guitarist would need a Bigsby tremolo on his guitar, but a listen to their later albums (the Elektra years) reveals a country bent to their L.A. punk stylings. Zoom went on to play with artists as diverse as Gene Vincent and Etta James. . . who says you gotta be unschooled to play punk?

Presenter: Britton Wetherald and Gretchen Hasse, Gearwire
Location: Nashville, TN

Owen O'Malley is a Gearwire contributor


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Who the hell is this guy???

By: Art

Do you know anything about Billy Zoom, Gretsch or X???? I would ditch the 'Napoleon Dynamite' look you have a buy a fucking clue, you dipshit!

Tue, 2008-07-15 19:01

Billy Zoom

By: Jeremy Spokane

Hey Art,
Maybe you missed the LA punk movement. Fine. X were hands down the most talented kick-ass band to spawn from that scene. That would explain your Zoom ignorance, which we'll also forgive (begrudgingly). But not being aware of Gretsch guitars equates to an MTV quality of musical education. You do, of course, realize that Green Day ain't punk, right? If you're still confused, find a copy of the early X appearance on Letterman. Sure, you can see the band...but you'll be able to check out what Billy was like when some dimrod popped off to him. Billy Zoom, punk rock legend, nice guy, and likely to knock yer teeth out if you get cute.
Now turn off the cartoons and get a job.

Fri, 2008-11-14 20:12

Mr Clueless Dipshit

By: Clue Master

Billy Zoom's guitar sound is perhaps the best of all time. Clueless idiots like yourself do not deserve to experience such greatness, your ignorance is remarkable.

Sat, 2008-11-15 16:10

huh?

By: bholland

What are you even talking about? Britton knows who Billy zoom is, and I don't think he underplays it in the video. He even makes a point of mentioning X in the video. I'm a huge X fan too, so I don't know what all of these comments are even in reference to regarding the video.

oh, and to the guy with the "napoleon dynamite" comment, I believe that is a Run DMC look. Just sayin'.

Sat, 2008-11-15 16:28

Corrections

By: Billy Zoom

Fot the record: I played with Gene Vincent, Etta James, and Big Joe Turner, BEFORE I played with X.

Thu, 2009-01-29 20:59

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