Object Details
Manufactured by
Gretsch, American, founded 1883
Owned by
Bo Diddley, American, 1928 - 2008
Description
A red Gretsch G6138 "Bo Diddley" model guitar with Diddley's signature rectangular body shape, owned by Bo Diddley. The guitar, manufactured in 2005, is based on the 1958 custom designed instrument made by Gretsch for Diddley in 1958. The rectangular, semi-hollow body is red with black and white accents at the edges. The neck and fretboard are black, with pearl dots on the fretboard. The bridge, pickups, knobs, switches, and tuners are made of brass. The pickups have etched type on the front and the bottom reading: [U.S. PAT. 2892371]. At the top of the headstock is [GRETSCH] in pearl, with [Bo Diddley / MODEL] in white at the truss rod cover. "Bo Diddley" is in the style of Diddley's signature. On the back of the head is: [JT05096044 / MADE IN JAPAN].
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Date
2005
Object number
2013.177.3.1a
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
guitars
Medium
wood with metal, pearl, paint and plastic
Dimensions
40 3/4 × 9 1/4 × 3 1/8 in. (103.5 × 23.5 × 7.9 cm)
Place made
Terada Factory, Nagoya, Japan, Asia
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Musical Instruments
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Blues (Music)
Composers (Musicians)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Musicians
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Rock and roll (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2013.177.3.1a