Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars: The Best-Looking Penguin and Falcon Ever!
TV Jones pickups and Bigsby included!
Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars: The Best-Looking Penguin and Falcon Ever! · Source: Gretsch
Gretsch is releasing two of its most iconic guitars in a new, strictly limited edition: the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars Falcon and Penguin. Both models come with a striking Emerald Night finish and a select combination of only the finest components. It doesn’t get much more luxurious than this in Gretsch land.
What makes the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars so special?
The new G6136TG-58 Falcon and G6134TG-58 Penguin models are closely modeled after Gretsch guitars from the late 1950s, featuring nitrocellulose lacquer and two TV Jones Ray Butts Full Fidelity Filter’Tron pickups each. These guitars probably sound and play as “Gretsch-like” as it gets.
Visually, both Gretsch 1958 Custom guitars are about as elegant as as it gets for the timeless hollowbody maker. That’s mainly due to the “Emerald Night Metallic Finish” which appears significantly darker and richer than the classic Gretsch colors. Combined with the gold hardware and the signature Falcon and Penguin design elements, these new guitars are a vintage-meets-modern statement for the ages.
What Components Are Featured in the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars Penguin?
The G6134TG-58 Custom Penguin comes with a mahogany body with an arched maple top and vintage-style chambering. So we’re not in classic Gretsch hollow-body territory here. Combined with the TV Jones pickups, the guitar comes close to the Gretsch sound, but with a healthy dose of additional definition in the attack.
In addition, the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars Penguin comes with a string-through Bigsby, which is said to be significantly more stable in tuning than traditional Bigsby tuners. The guitar also comes with gold hardware, Luminlay side dots, and the classic Penguin look.
How does the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars Falcon differ from the Penguin?
The G6136TG-58 Custom Falcon takes a different approach compared to the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars Penguin, starting with the body. This model comes with a 2.75-inch-deep maple body instead of a solid mahogany body. That yields significantly more acoustic resonance and a more airy playing feel. In addition, Gretsch went for a trestle bracing here, which, unlike the Penguin’s vintage chambering, which helps prevent feedback more effectively.
There are also a few differences in design and playability. While the Penguin has a more compact feel, the Falcon appears significantly larger with a more open sound. The string-through Bigsby, the TV Jones Filter’Trons, the nitro finish, and the Luminlay side dots are all identical. However, these elements work together in a very different way here, creating a more spacious sound and evoking classic Gretsch hollow-body vibes.
How much do the two Gretsch 1958 Custom guitars cost?
The Gretsch G6134TG-58 LTD Custom Penguin is available for €4,129.00 at Thomann*. The larger Falcon from the Gretsch 1958 Custom Guitars series is priced at €4,729.00*.
More on the new Guitars from Gretsch
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