| Gretsch White Falcon |
 | | Manufacturer | Gretsch | | Period | 1955-1980; 1996-present | | Construction | | Body type | Hollow | | Neck joint | Set | | Woods | | Body | 17" wide, solid spruce archtop, laminated maple back and sides with gold sparkle-white-black-white layered binding | | Neck | Maple | | Fretboard | Ebony with pearl inlay and gold sparkle-white-black-white layered bindings; 25-1/2" scale | | Hardware | | Bridge | Ebony-based Space-Control Roller-Bridge | | Pickup(s) | Two Dynasonic Single-coil Pickups (1954-1958); two FilterTron Humbuckers (1958-Present)/3-Position Toggle | | Colors available | | White,Black | The Gretsch White Falcon is a visually distinct guitar commercially introduced in 1955 by Gretsch. While it has seen vast and substantial changes to its body shape and features through the years, and is currently offered in several styles, the White Falcon has always maintained a striking and unmistakable presence and has become a highly recognized piece of Rock history. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 348 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (419 × 721 pixel, file size: 36 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture of a Guitar Poster. ...
Gretsch is a U.S. musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by guitar company Fender and drum craft company Kaman. ...
Distribution Species See List of Acer species Trees or shrubs in the genus Acer are commonly called Maples. ...
Three magnetic pickups on an electric guitar. ...
Gretsch is a U.S. musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by guitar company Fender and drum craft company Kaman. ...
Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ...
The White Falcon is best known for its large 17-inch size and distinctive appearance, with gleaming white paint, copious gold trim, and a falcon in mid-flight engraved on the gold pickguard. Falcons eat humans. ...
Origins and history In early 1954, Gretsch marketing strategist Jimmie Webster sought to design a guitar to top the top-of-the-heap Gibson Super 400. He wanted a "Dream Guitar", and gained his inspiration by walking through the immense Gretsch factory and watching the construction of the staggering diversity of musical instruments the company produced. From the banjo production line, Webster recalled the engraved pearl inlays that adorned the fretboard and headstock. Many of Gretsch's drums were covered with thick sparkly gold plastic that could also be used as binding on guitars. The combination of these eye-catching features with an immense 17" wide by 2-3/4" deep white body and highest quality gold-plated hardware rendered "the Cadillac of guitars," the White Falcon. Gretsch is a U.S. musical instrument manufacturer currently being distributed by guitar company Fender and drum craft company Kaman. ...
// Gibson may refer to: Gibson Amphitheatre Gibson Appliance Gibson Girl Gibson Guitar Corporation Gibson cocktail Alexander Gibson (conductor) (1926–1995), Scottish composer and music director Alexander Gibson (industrialist) (1819–1913), Canadian industrialist Alfred Gibson (?–1874), Australian explorer Althea Gibson (1927–2003), African-American tennis player Bob Gibson (born 1935), American...
For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument of African American origin adapted from several African instruments. ...
For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Cadillac (disambiguation). ...
The White Falcon was unveiled at the NAMM show in July of 1954. It was displayed as "the guitar of the future," but Gretsch initially had no plans to actually manufacture the model. It was supposed to be a showpiece, much like GM's Motorama "Dream Cars" of the day. The NAMM (National Association of Musical Merchants) Show is the largest musical trade show in the world. ...
The volume of questions sales reps received about the eye-catching instrument led to a reevaluation of this position, and the White Falcon hit stores in 1955. As the company's new high-end guitar, Gretsch marketed it as "the finest guitar we know how to make – and what a beauty!" A high caliber player could walk away with the White Falcon for $600 at that time ($4123 adjusted for inflation); this price tag was second only to the $690 asking price of Gibson's Super 400CESN.
So popular was the White Falcon (and other Gretsch models of the time) that this era in Gretsch guitar history is frequently referred to as "The Golden Years" or "The Great Years". Through the '60s, Webster continually "improved" the Falcon with more features, including a Stereo version. By the late '60s, the Falcon was covered with controls and knobs. It has also switched to a twin-cutaway body beginning in 1962.
With over a decade of accomplishment, Fred Gretsch retired in 1967 and, upon such, sold his company to Baldwin Manufacturing. Baldwin would have trouble understanding guitars in general and the White Falcon in particular, which disastrously failed to evolve smoothly out of the rockabilly era. Most who were inspired by the new hot guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and other musical greats were turning to Fender, rather than Gretsch. Categories: Possible copyright violations ...
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It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ...
To make matters worse, the rapidly deteriorating Baldwin Manufacturing experienced two destructive fires at its new Arkansas plant in 1973. Gretsch limped through the 70s’ and finally closed production in the 80s’. Falcons soon became instruments only collectors owned and swiftly became forgotten altogether. In 1989, Fred Gretsch III resumed control of the family business and began making guitars again. These instruments are based on classic Gretsch designs, including the venerable White Falcon.
Models and features From its introduction in 1954 through today, the White Falcon has always been known for its white finish, ebony fingerboard, 17" wide hollow body, gold-plated hardware, engraved gold pickguard, and gold sparkle binding. Throughout its history, some features have changed as technology and style evolved. Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article is about the color. ...
Binomial name Diospyros ebenum Koenig ex Retz. ...
Fretted guitar fingerboard Fretless violin fingerboard The fingerboard, (also known as a fretboard on fretted instruments), is a part of most stringed instruments. ...
A pickguard (also known as scratchplate) is a piece of plastic or other laminated material that is placed under the strings on the body of a guitar. ...
1954-1958, model number 6136: Vertical gold headstock logo with winged "G;" pearl block fretboard inlays with avian-themed ingravings; two DynaSonic single coil pickups; control configuration consisting of master tone, master volume, volume for each pickup, and three-way toggle pickup selector switch; trapeze tailpiece with "G" and Cadillac-inspired "V"-shape; Melita bridge; 2-3/4" deep single-cutatway body. Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ...
Typical headstock of an electric guitar This article is about part of a stringed instrument. ...
Freshadama grade cultured freshwater pearls. ...
The fingerboard, also known as a fretboard, is a part of most stringed instruments. ...
This image shows three single coil pickups on a Stratocaster guitar. ...
1958-1962, model number 6136: Horizontal "T-roof" headstock logo sans wings; "Neo-classic" thumbprint fretboard inlays; two FilterTron humbucking pickups; control configuration consisting of master volume, volume for each pickup, three-way toggle pickup selector switch, and three-way toggle tone switch; Space Control bridge. A stereo model (6137) was intruduced; this model featured an extra set of pickup selector and tone switches and had the bridge pickup moved closer to the neck. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Traditional humbucker pickup, uncovered A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup that uses two coils. ...
1962-1964, model numbers 6136 and 6137 (stereo): Two-inch deep double-cutaway body with dual string mutes; standby switch; zero fret; white leather pad on the back. Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...
This article is about the spacecraft and the mission. ...
A zero fret is a fret placed at the headstock end of the neck of a banjo, guitar, mandolin, or bass guitar. ...
1964-1972, model number 6136 and 6137 (stereo): Bigsby vibrato with telescoping "dog leg" arm; "T-zone tempered treble" slanted upper frets. Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...
Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article is about the spacecraft and the mission. ...
The Bigsby vibrato tailpiece (or Bigsby for short) is a type of vibrato device for electric guitar designed by its namesake Paul A. Bigsby. ...
Vibrato is a musical effect where the pitch or frequency of a note or sound is quickly and repeatedly raised and lowered over a small distance for the duration of that note or sound. ...
1973, model numbers 6136 and 6137 (stereo): Bigsby tailpiece with "V" cutout, reminiscient of the original "Cadillac" tailpiece. This is the last model year for "vintage" White Falcons. For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ...
This article is about the spacecraft and the mission. ...
1974-1981, model numbers 7593 (single-cutaway) and 7595 (double-cutawaty): Angularly-shaped pickguard without "Gretsch"; rectangular block fretboard inlays; Baldwin "B" trapeze tailpiece; truss rod cover, string mutes and standby switch removed. In 1981, Gretsch ceased manufacturing guitars. Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...
1995-present, model numbers 6136 and 7593: Models are now available commemorating every phase in the design of the White Falcon. Features are reproduced accordingly. Modern Falcons are also available in black and silver, and include a Stephen Stills signature model (based on the 1958 incarnation), as well as a green Bono Irish Falcon that incorporates the original vertical headstock logo and ingraved block inlays with the post-1958 electronics configuration and features "The Goal Is Soul" silkscreened onto the pickguard. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...
Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). ...
For other uses, see Bono (disambiguation). ...
Notable White Falcon players Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 576 pixel, file size: 77 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of a music DVD. This image is a screenshot from a copyrighted music video or promotional video for a music artist, and the copyright for...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 576 pixel, file size: 77 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Screenshot of a music DVD. This image is a screenshot from a copyrighted music video or promotional video for a music artist, and the copyright for...
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Stephen Stills album cover Stephen Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with the Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (at first it was Crosby, Stills and Nash; Young joined the group after their first album). ...
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// John 5 was born John Lowery in Grosse Point Michigan USA, on July [31st 1971]. His stage name was bestowed upon him back in 1998 when he joined shock rock troupe [Marilyn Manson] as their guitarist taking over from Zim Zum (Mike Linton). ...
Insert non-formatted text here Robert Cummings (born January 12, 1965)), better known as Rob Zombie, is an American musician, film director, and writer. ...
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The Academy Is. ...
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External links
Sources - Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia by Tony Bacon, Dave Burrluck (Contributor), Paul Day (Contributor), and Michael Wright (Contributor). Thunder Bay Press, 2000. ISBN 1-57145-281-8
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