Gretsch is launching three new limited edition models – the Falcon, the Penguin and the Electromatic.
Based on the classic ’59 Falcon, the G6136TFM- DCHY Limited Edition Falcon with Bigsby and gold hardware features a tiger flame maple body, in a Dark Cherry Stain finish, complemented by classic Falcon gold sparkle binding, gold hardware, matching headstock and a String-Thru Bigsby B6GP tailpiece. Dual TV Jones TV Classic pickups deliver the tone, with “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil capacitors.
Other premium features include an ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid thumbnail fingerboard inlays, pinned Space Control bridge, jeweled “G” arrow knobs and a gold plexi pickguard with Gretsch logo and Falcon graphic.
Perhaps even rarer in its original form, the next reincarnation is Gretsch’s G6134T-CDG Limited Edition Penguin with Bigsby, in Cadillac Green metallic finish. Decked out with a matching headstock, glittering gold sparkle binding and gold hardware (including a banjo arm rest), this promises to be a real head-turner. Armed with dual TV Jones TV Classic pickups with “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil capacitors, it also includes a no-load tone control for smoother tonal taper.
Other premium features include a Bigsby B3 tailpiece, ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl thumbnail inlays, pinned rocking bar bridge, jeweled arrow knobs and a gold plexi pickguard with Gretsch logo and Penguin graphic.
If all that sounds a bit exotic (no prices were quoted by Gretsch), the all-new G5435TG-BLK-LTD16 Limited Edition Electromatic Pro Jet with Bigsby and Gold Hardware offers the highly coveted cool of the elusive Penguin at what the company describes as ‘an attainable price’.
The Pro Jet features a single-cutaway chambered body, al la Penguin, but with a black finish, headgold hardware, gold plexi pickguard, and white headstock binding.
Other classic features include dual “Blacktop” Filter’Tron pickups, Bigsby B50G tailpiece, rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid “hump-block” inlays, three-position pickup toggle switch, anchored Adjusto-Matic bridge, “G” arrow knobs and threaded knurled strap buttons. Info: www.gretschguitars.com.