Never showed you this one - John Bolin Supermodel

[steve_k]

Some people had asked for pics a while back. Dug it out and snapped a few. This one is #5. Chambered neck and body. Weighs 5lb2oz. Marlboro light and a spliff in the routes. Delivered from JB in 2007. So resonant, you can strum away without an amp.

 

[Anonymous]

that's nice...i really like that neck.

so weird too....i couldnt remember the name of the spectrum analyzer he uses to match his guitar voicings live...and ended up watching a few behind the scenes vids...he has quite a collection of axes.

 

[H Golf Sport]

What does it sound like?
Always wanted one.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I would have never guessed yo as a Tele guy Steve..

Just ones to show people are complex. I read a bit on Billy over the years, wanting light guitars, super light strings, no treble in his tone. He makes it work.

The interview with his tech was cool. Hundreds of guitars in various locations. He doesn't really even know how many guitars he has...

Now that is some serious gear whoring...

 

[steve_k]

I would have never guessed yo as a Tele guy Steve..

Just ones to show people are complex. I read a bit on Billy over the years, wanting light guitars, super light strings, no treble in his tone. He makes it work.

The interview with his tech was cool. Hundreds of guitars in various locations. He doesn't really even know how many guitars he has...

Now that is some serious gear whoring...

I bet you there's not another Tele around that sounds or plays like this one. I had never heard of a chambered neck until I got this guitar. When the shippers dropped it off, I thought they had sent an empty box, it was so light. Tele's have their place (mostly in the case) but I like playing them for some stuff. Mostly though, noodling without an amp because it is so resonant.

Like Rev, I don't know how many I have squirreled away either.....

 

[rupe]

Love it!!! Pretty sure you showed it off before though...I'm having a "deja vu gas attack"

What's the pickup? I've gotta assume this one doesn't sound like your grand daddy's Tele?

 

[steve_k]

Love it!!! Pretty sure you showed it off before though...I'm having a "deja vu gas attack"

What's the pickup? I've gotta assume this one doesn't sound like your grand daddy's Tele?

Not like your pappy's Tele for sure. It's pissed off in front of a little grit or a lot of gain. It has an SD dual humbucker in a single coil size that was modeled after the Pearly Gates HB. So, it's nice and quiet too. I don't know what these are worth now. Seems like I paid about $3500 in 2007. Probably about $800 on RT.....

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

the one Billy Gibbons is playing in the pic is a Big Tex, made here in Houston, saw it at Rockin Robin. Fantastic looking guitar, I love that big fat flame neck. I had a custom Big Tex Tele with a 1" thick neck all the way from 1st fret to 12th fret. Tons of punch.

 

[H Golf Sport]

$800? I'll take it.

 

[rupe]

Love it!!! Pretty sure you showed it off before though...I'm having a "deja vu gas attack"

What's the pickup? I've gotta assume this one doesn't sound like your grand daddy's Tele?

Not like your pappy's Tele for sure. It's pissed off in front of a little grit or a lot of gain. It has an SD dual humbucker in a single coil size that was modeled after the Pearly Gates HB. So, it's nice and quiet too. I don't know what these are worth now. Seems like I paid about $3500 in 2007. Probably about $800 on RT.....

 

[jlbaxe]

$850

 

[steve_k]

$850

Keep going....

 

[bonedarrell]

the one Billy Gibbons is playing in the pic is a Big Tex, made here in Houston, saw it at Rockin Robin. Fantastic looking guitar, I love that big fat flame neck. I had a custom Big Tex Tele with a 1" thick neck all the way from 1st fret to 12th fret. Tons of punch.

The one in the pic sure looks like it has the JB "House Of Blues" emblem on the headstock to me.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

the one Billy Gibbons is playing in the pic is a Big Tex, made here in Houston, saw it at Rockin Robin. Fantastic looking guitar, I love that big fat flame neck. I had a custom Big Tex Tele with a 1" thick neck all the way from 1st fret to 12th fret. Tons of punch.

The one in the pic sure looks like it has the JB "House Of Blues" emblem on the headstock to me.

pic changed, was this one

 

[ejecta]

I bet the joint adds to the tone as well.

 

[steve_k]

the one Billy Gibbons is playing in the pic is a Big Tex, made here in Houston, saw it at Rockin Robin. Fantastic looking guitar, I love that big fat flame neck. I had a custom Big Tex Tele with a 1" thick neck all the way from 1st fret to 12th fret. Tons of punch.

The one in the pic sure looks like it has the JB "House Of Blues" emblem on the headstock to me.

pic changed, was this one

Never heard of a Big Tex. Was that some local Bolin clone?

 

[steve_k]

I bet the joint adds to the tone as well.

It's a neck joint...

 

[ejecta]

I bet the joint adds to the tone as well.

It's a neck joint...

That "neck joint" wouldn't last long in my hands.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

the one Billy Gibbons is playing in the pic is a Big Tex, made here in Houston, saw it at Rockin Robin. Fantastic looking guitar, I love that big fat flame neck. I had a custom Big Tex Tele with a 1" thick neck all the way from 1st fret to 12th fret. Tons of punch.

The one in the pic sure looks like it has the JB "House Of Blues" emblem on the headstock to me.

pic changed, was this one

Never heard of a Big Tex. Was that some local Bolin clone?

Steve -

Here's some of the story on that Big Tex that Billy bought:
"Billy purchased the Big Tex Tele dubbed the "Beersquire" at Rockin' Robin Guitars in Houston. He was quite taken with the vibe and relic work of the guitar. After the purchase, the neck pickup and pickguard were removed and a Seymour Lil' 59 was installed. The Rev. continued to make a few cosmetic alterations on the guitar to complete the "mojo" factor. It was then premiered at the VH1 awards show later that week. Billy has continued to use the "Beersquire" nightly on tour, using it on closing numbers and encores.
We are also proudly working with Mr. Gibbons on several "refined" versions of this guitar along with some "outside the box" finishing and relic ideas that will most certainly turn some heads.
Big Tex is debuting our "New Vintage" line of distressed replicas at the Arlington Guitar show this weekend. If anyone is planning to attend, stop by and say hey.
Thanks for your interest! Eddie Dale-Big Tex Guitars"

Not sure but probably all the craze about relic'd guitars...another builder popped up. I had one of his Teles with a 1" thick flamed neck.
I'm not educated much on John Bolin, what I do know is the Tele you have pictured is damn fine, especially the flamey neck.