The White Falcon: An Enduring Icon of Electric Elegance

It arrives in a room before it’s even played. Gleaming white, adorned with opulent gold hardware, commandingly large yet perfectly proportioned – the Gretsch White Falcon isn't just an electric guitar; it's a statement, a piece of mid-century artistry that transcends music to become a cultural artifact. Often lauded as the "Cadillac of Guitars," its story is one of audacious vision, meticulous craftsmanship, and an evolution shaped by seven decades of shifting musical currents and cultural aspirations.

Imagine the buzz at the 1954 NAMM show, the era's premier gathering for music merchants. Amidst the standard fare stood a creation so striking it seemed plucked from a fantasy – Jimmie Webster's "dream guitar." Webster, a Gretsch demonstrator and designer, envisioned a showpiece, an instrument embodying the pinnacle of luthiery and visual extravagance. Drawing inspiration from Gretsch's drum-making heritage (evident in the lavish gold sparkle binding) and banjo line (the intricate engraved inlays), the prototype was a beacon of optimistic, post-war American design. It wasn't intended for production, merely to showcase Gretsch's capabilities. But the reaction was overwhelming. Dealers clamored for it, forcing Gretsch's hand. In 1955, the Model 6136 White Falcon officially launched, destined to become one of history's most coveted instruments.

The initial years cemented the Falcon's legendary status. Built in Brooklyn, New York, during Gretsch's "Golden Age" under family ownership, these early instruments exuded luxury. The first models boasted a resonant solid spruce top, later transitioning to laminated maple, paired with a commanding 17-inch hollow body. They featured 24-karat gold-plated hardware, including the distinctive "Cadillac G" tailpiece on the '55, intricate feather-engraved hump block inlays, and Grover Imperial tuners. Sonically, the Falcon evolved too. Its initial bright, articulate DeArmond DynaSonic single-coil pickups gave way in 1958 to Ray Butts' innovative Filter'Tron™ humbuckers, designed to deliver clarity and chime while cancelling hum – a sound that would become synonymous with the Gretsch name. This era also saw the introduction of trestle bracing for better feedback control and the eventual shift to the iconic double-cutaway body style around 1962. These vintage Falcons, especially the rare pre-1960 single-cuts, are now revered "Holy Grail" instruments, associated with pioneers like Neil Young and Stephen Stills, commanding astronomical prices among collectors. Yet, owning one requires embracing its history, quirks and all – from the potential for aging binding to the characteristic feedback of a large hollow body.

Like many legacy brands, Gretsch faced challenges, notably during the Baldwin ownership era (1967-1981), a period often associated with declining quality. But the Falcon's story is also one of resilience. In 1985, Fred W. Gretsch, great-grandson of the founder, repurchased the company, determined to restore its former glory. A key move was restarting production primarily at the respected Terada factory in Japan.

The Mid-Nineties Era, represented by models like the 1993 G7593, reflects this commitment. These Japanese-made Falcons successfully resurrected the classic aesthetic, leveraging high standards of craftsmanship to offer reliable, well-built instruments. While specifications sometimes drew from later vintage designs—incorporating features like the Adjusto-Matic™ bridge or block inlays—and materials often reflected contemporary standards such as polyurethane finishes and ceramic-magnet Filter'Trons, these instruments crucially delivered the essential Falcon aesthetic and feel without the prohibitive vintage cost. They became valued workhorses, capturing the vibe for a new generation and acquiring their own "player's vintage" appeal today.

The dawn of the Modern Era, beginning after 2002, brought a partnership with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation handling manufacturing and distribution while Gretsch retained ownership. This period is marked by meticulous quality control and a strategic diversification, acknowledging that the allure of the Falcon appeals to different sensibilities, with most Professional Collection Falcons still crafted in Japan. For the purist seeking historical fidelity, the Vintage Select (VS) series meticulously recreates specific model years, employing details like nitrocellulose finishes, period-correct bracing, and pickups like TV Jones® Classics or T-Armonds™ that capture the original sonic signatures. Conversely, the Players Edition (PE) line embraces the Falcon's iconic style while integrating features demanded by contemporary performers: enhanced tuning stability via locking tuners and pinned bridges, easier string changes with string-thru Bigsby® vibratos, refined electronics, increased comfort through rolled fingerboard edges, and durable urethane finishes. It’s the Falcon reimagined for modern stages. Recognizing the persistent challenge of feedback in high-volume settings, Gretsch also innovated with Center Block (CB) models. These incorporate a solid block internally, often within a slightly smaller body, sacrificing some hollow-body airiness for significantly improved feedback resistance, allowing the Falcon's distinctive look and voice to thrive in virtually any musical environment.

Across every era, the White Falcon inspires a unique connection. It’s more than specs; it's about the "feel," the "vibe," the sheer visual drama. Players debate the merits of DynaSonics versus Filter'Trons, the resonance of trestle versus parallel bracing, the aging grace of nitrocellulose versus the durability of urethane. They modify their instruments – swapping pickups for specific tonal quests, pinning bridges for stability, upgrading electronics – tailoring the Falcon to their needs, actively participating in its ongoing evolution. This dialogue between instrument and player, between tradition and adaptation, is woven into its identity.

The challenge of taming feedback—an inherent trait of its resonant hollow body—has been a constant companion, driving innovations from internal bracing changes to the fundamental redesign seen in Center Block models. Tuning stability, particularly with the expressive Bigsby vibrato, remains a key consideration, addressed thoughtfully in modern iterations with locking tuners and precisely engineered bridge systems.

From its audacious birth as a "dream guitar" to its current status as a diverse family of instruments, the Gretsch White Falcon has remained a benchmark of electric guitar design. Whether it's a highly prized vintage collectible whispering tales of the past, a reliable '90s revival model (see photos above and below), a historically precise modern recreation, or a feature-packed contemporary workhorse ready for the global stage, each iteration carries the echo of that original magic. It is an instrument that demands attention, rewards nuanced playing, and continues to embody a timeless blend of sonic power and visual artistry – an enduring icon, forever perched at the intersection of luxury, music, and style.

1993 Gretsch White Falcon in excellent near new condition

£3,995

email me via: tom@tomsguitarshop.com