| Gretsch White Falcon | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Gretsch |
| Period | 1955–1980; 1996–Present |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Hollow |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Scale | 25.5" |
| Woods | |
| Body | 17" wide, solid spruce archtop, laminated maple back and sides with gold sparkle-white-black-white layered binding, f-holes |
| Neck | Maple |
| Fretboard | Ebony with pearl inlay and gold sparkle-white-black-white layered bindings; 25½" scale |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Ebony-based "Space Control" roller bridge (since 1958) |
| Pickup(s) | Two Dynasonic Single-coil Pickups (1954–1958); two FilterTron Humbuckers (1958–Present)/3-position toggle |
| Colors available | |
| White, black, silver | |
The Gretsch White Falcon is an electric hollow-body guitar introduced in 1954 by Gretsch.
This guitar was created as a "showpiece" to exhibit the craft of Gretsch's luthiers, sales, and demonstration representative, Jimmie Webster, who created it for the 1954 NAMM Convention. The guitar was so popular that it was put into production and went on sale the following year. Since then, it has undergone various changes and is still being made today. As of 2013[update], Gretsch offers a number of guitars in its "Falcon" series, including a custom-built replica of the original, which is priced in the US at $12,000 (approximately £8300).[1]
The White Falcon's distinctive appearance is owed to its 17-inch width (white, with gold-sparkle pickguard featuring an engraved falcon) and its hardware: Jimmie Webster's 1954 version had triple binding, gold-plated hardware, an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl inlays, and an eye-catching "Cadillac G" tailpiece.[2]
- ^ "G6136CST White Falcon". Gretsch. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
- ^ Meeker, Ward (October 2009). "The Gretsch 1955-'61 White Falcon: Jimmie Webster's Master Showpiece". Vintage Guitar. pp. 46–47.