Gretsch White Falcon

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Gretsch White Falcon

Manufacturer	Gretsch
Period	1954-1980; 1996-present
Construction
Body type	Hollow
Neck joint	Dovetail-jointed set
Woods
Body	17" wide, 2 3/4" deep laminated maple body
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Ebony, with Gold-sparkle fingerboard and headstock binding
Hardware
Bridge	Ebony-based Space-Control Roller-Bridge
Pickup(s)	Two Dynasonic Single-coil Pickups/3-Position Toggle
Colors available
White

The Gretsch White Falcon (often referred to as simply the White Falcon) was an innovative and revolutionary guitar which was introduced in the early 50's, and is considered by many as "One of the defining instruments of Rock"[1]. It was very profitable for Gretsch, and found many famous guitarists using it into their repertoire. Through the years it changed considerably, with different pickups, controls, depth and other changes, but has remained a prime example of Rock history. It's unique style and sound has always set it apart.

The White Falcon is best known for its large, 17-inch size, striking appearance, with gleaming white paint, copious gold trim, and a Falcon in mid-flight engraved in in the gold pickguard.

[edit] Origins and History

In early 1954, Gretsch began developing the Falcon as a showpiece guitar - something to show off their abilities at the annual music shows and drum up interest in other Gretsch guitars. Demand for the Falcon was immediate an overwhelming, and Gretsch decided to add it to the line. When nearly all guitars were still using rather plain natural or sunburst finishes, the Falcon's gold and white was dazzling, as was it's price tag: $600 in 1954!

Alongside other extremely popular models such as the 6120 Chet Atkins, the White Falcon helped define Gretsch's “Golden Years”.

With more than a decade of accomplishment, Fred Gretsch retired in 1967 and, for better or worse, sold his company to Baldwin Manufacturing. Baldwin had trouble understanding guitars in general and the shifting marketplace in particular and the White Falcon (and the company's other hollowbody guitars) fell out of favor in the psychedelic period and the up-and-coming Hard Rock 70s. Most who were inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and other musical greats were turning to Fender, rather than Gretsch. Thus, the White Falcon struggled through the 70s.

To make matters worse, Gretsch suffered two destructive warehouse fires in the early 70s. Gretsch limped through the 70s and finally closed production in the 80s.

In the 80s, Falcons remained popular among some players who were entranced by the big bird's fabuluous look and sound, but it wasn’t until the mid-90s, when Fred Gretsch III revived his family’s legacy and brought the White Falcon into the limelight once again.

[edit] Notable White Falcon Players

John Frusciante playing a White Falcon at Slane Castle. He primarily used the vintage guitar (which he reportedly purchased for $30,000) on the tracks "Otherside" and "Californication" from the album Californication.