If ever a guitar typified the glorious excesses of the 1950s, the Gretsch White Falcon has to be it. To quote the Gretsch literature of the day, the Falcon was simply “…the most beautiful guitar in the world!” Such modesty. A spectacularly expensive dreamboat even when it was first offered to the public, White Falcons continue to be highly treasured, collector’s items with astronomical price tags. But for all the things the 6136 White Falcon was, it was not intended to be a production model at all, but rather a trade show guitar – a little “dream machine” that Gretsch put together just to show off a little in 1954. But once all those orders began pouring in, the Falcon was rushed into production and then the Gretsch ad copy read, “the utmost in striking beauty, luxurious styling, and peak tonal performance.” That’s certainly still true of today’s G6136T-LDS, which we’ve just gotten back in stock (the last one sold in record time).
But don’t get blinded by the glitter and gold sparkle! Rich, complex tones pour from the dual DynaSonic pickups thanks to a 17″ wide, 2-3/4″ deep laminated maple body with an arched laminated maple top. The White Falcon neck is 3-piece maple with a 25.5″ scale and an ebony fretboard with feather-engraved mother-of-pearl inlays. For greater expressive control, the White Falcon boasts three separate volume controls (neck pickup, bridge pickup, master volume), and a 3-position master tone switch. This gives you the ability to blend the volume and tone of the pickups to create your own unique sound. Along with gold hardware and multiple binding, other artistic touches on the White Falcon include a gold-plated Gretsch “G” Cadillac tailpiece. Of course it ships to your door in a plush-lined deluxe hardshell case.
For more on Gretsch classics, go to Jim Miller’s Tech Notes Online feature, which discusses the evolution of the modern Gretsch guitar through its “glory years” in the 1950s and right into the present.
