Gretsche - White Falcon

Pauleeeeeeee · 29-10-2008 10:03PM #1

Would I be mad to splash out over 2k on one of these bad boys?

I've had my trusty, black Ibanez rg470 since I was just a lad of 14 years old. I'm now 22. Long gone are the days where blistering metal solos and long frizzy hair are priority.
My tastes have evolved to also appreciate a wider genre of music and the music I like to play live has a little less leather pants and wind machine and a little more heart and universaly appreciation.

Mainly though, I just think it's the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen and I want it. Now.

sprinklesspanky · 29-10-2008 10:08PM

Short answer: no.

These are made in Japan now, and the quality is nowhere near as good. I've owned a early 1990s model, it was amazing. I played a Japanese one a few weeks ago in Goodwins, it was ****.

Spend the money on a Rickenbacker 330, or a used, made in the U.S.A., Gretsch.

jimmy-jazz · 29-10-2008 10:10PM

Pauleeeeeeee wrote: »

Would I be mad to splash out over 2k on one of these bad boys?

if i had the cash spare i'd do it.....wouldn't be my frst choice, wouldn't really suit my style. but i love them all the same. beautiful guitar.......do it..........do it...........do it.........

MattKid · 29-10-2008 10:19PM

I bought a Gretsch Powerjet earlier this year and the quality was fantastic, great guitar

Ravelleman · 29-10-2008 10:22PM

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Short answer: no.

These are made in Japan now, and the quality is nowhere near as good. I've owned a early 1990s model, it was amazing. I played a Japanese one a few weeks ago in Goodwins, it was ****.

Spend the money on a Rickenbacker 330, or a used, made in the U.S.A., Gretsch.

As the owner of a MIJ Gretsch Annie, I completely disagree with this. Gretsch guitars are made in the Terada plant in Japan, which is regarded as as excellent producer at the moment. I don't hesitate in saying that my Gretsch is the finest instrument I have ever played. I have played Rickenbackers before.

I also don't see why you'd recommend a Rickenback 330 when he asked about a Gretsch Falcon! He asks for apples, you recommend oranges. They sound totally different...

For the OP, if you do go with a Gretsch I recommend you check out Streetsounds. I've bought from them before. I got my NOS Annie from them for €800 taxed. The same model is €1670 on Thomann, I believe. Don't just look at the Falcon - there are a lot of other options if you're looking for a Gretsch though!

overexcitedaj · 29-10-2008 10:29PM

Oh i love the white Falcons. Go for it man..... or why not get a prs for that money now that i think of it.

fish-head · 29-10-2008 10:30PM

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

Short answer: no.

These are made in Japan now, and the quality is nowhere near as good. I've owned a early 1990s model, it was amazing. I played a Japanese one a few weeks ago in Goodwins, it was ****.

Spend the money on a Rickenbacker 330, or a used, made in the U.S.A., Gretsch.

As an owner of a Japanese made 6120 I totally disagree with this statement. Get the Falcon, you wont regret it. www.candyappleredguitars.com is where I got mine.

Pauleeeeeeee · 29-10-2008 10:58PM

Ravelleman wrote: »

For the OP, if you do go with a Gretsch I recommend you check out Streetsounds. I've bought from them before. I got my NOS Annie from them for €800 taxed. The same model is €1670 on Thomann, I believe. Don't just look at the Falcon - there are a lot of other options if you're looking for a Gretsch though!

Excellent link man, thanks.

There is a considerable difference in price between the double cutaway white falcons and the 'standard' models. Could anyone give me a better understanding as to why?

Ravelleman · 29-10-2008 11:27PM

Well, the double cutaway they have on Streetsounds is damaged... They've been selling a lot of blemished stock recently but they usually have a nice selection of new stock or new old stock at good prices.

Ravelleman · 29-10-2008 11:30PM

Just as an aside, I still regret not buying this amazing Green Sparkle Jet they were selling for $1600 in July. I was away at the time so it wasn't really an option but I was actually able to afford it! I live in hope of another one appearing at that price again some day.

I want more Gretsch.

Bod1 · 30-10-2008 10:42AM

I have a Tennessee Rose I bought not so long ago and the quality is excellent. It has a short scale and is a joy to play. I was expecting that the Bigsby would lead to tuning instability but it's not the case. Love it.

I say go for it.

John · 30-10-2008 01:24PM

Another Gretsch player here and I say go for it.

Pauleeeeeeee · 30-10-2008 05:08PM

Positive stuff I'm hearing here!

Not going to get it RIGHT this instant though. More than likely in January when I have a few more quid saved and there's a possibility of some sales. Can't wait though.

Now...on to find myself a band.

Don't suppose there's any decent musicians in their early to mid 20s who would like to help start a group in the same vein a musical mindset as the likes of the arcade fire, elbow, radiohead and/or sigúr rós? A band where the musicians understand that turning their volume knob up to 11 won't increase the clarity of their instrument live?

C'mon now! (I'm also aware of the bands and musicians forum incase someone decides to point me there

)

boycey · 30-10-2008 07:50PM

There is the rather gorgeous Black Falcon to consider too. I'd post a pic but all my efforts end up as the red x of fail!!

Heres a linky though....

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G6136TBK-Black-Falcon-with-Bigsby?sku=511580

Quattroste · 30-10-2008 09:19PM

boycey wrote: »

There is the rather gorgeous Black Falcon to consider too. I'd post a pic but all my efforts end up as the red x of fail!!

Heres a linky though....

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G6136TBK-Black-Falcon-with-Bigsby?sku=511580

:mad: What did you have to go and post that for

aaaaaawww maaaann. Dam GAS gland went f**kin crazy.

Squirrel · 30-10-2008 10:58PM

boycey wrote: »

There is the rather gorgeous Black Falcon to consider too. I'd post a pic but all my efforts end up as the red x of fail!!

Heres a linky though....

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G6136TBK-Black-Falcon-with-Bigsby?sku=511580

I wasn't a fan of the White one, then I saw that :eek: I've never liked the look of any Gretsche's before but damn you changed my mind

Pauleeeeeeee · 30-10-2008 11:33PM

Yeh I saw the black falcon already. A beautiful guitar alright but I just prefer the white falcon and think it looks stunning being used live in a dark venue.

Doctor J · 31-10-2008 11:10AM

Just make sure you play one before you splash out. It's a beautiful guitar, it really is but if you play in the upper register at all, those days past the 14th fret will be numbered once you get the white falcon.

Also, I'd be more optimistic of it being a more reliable guitar if it's MIJ

Seziertisch · 31-10-2008 11:29AM

The newer Gretsches (from 2003) are all smashing guitars. Fender really got the q.c. right after the take over.

I own a Tennessee Rose and recently simplified the electronics considerably resulting in a significant improvement in sound. I found the tone switch to be pretty useless (although the caps that it came with as standard were a bit extreme). The on/off switch was also something I never used.

I also cut out the individual pickup volume controls and went for just the master volume. Obviously this meant that instead of having 2 x 500 k pots in series (for a combined load of 1 meg) I now only have 1 x 500 k, meaning that the guitar is a lot less bright. I like it better this way.

If I was buying again I would go for one of the Brian Setzer Hotrods. They also come with TV Jones pickups as standard, very tasty.

A.Partridge · 31-10-2008 12:27PM

I say Go FOR IT!

Life is too short to continue playing an ugly guitar.

Get the Gretsch...tomorrow belongs to nobody so don't put it off.

You're 22 for God's sake.:D

sprinklesspanky · 03-11-2008 02:56PM

Ravelleman wrote: »

As the owner of a MIJ Gretsch Annie, I completely disagree with this. Gretsch guitars are made in the Terada plant in Japan, which is regarded as as excellent producer at the moment. I don't hesitate in saying that my Gretsch is the finest instrument I have ever played. I have played Rickenbackers before.

I also don't see why you'd recommend a Rickenback 330 when he asked about a Gretsch Falcon! He asks for apples, you recommend oranges. They sound totally different...

For the OP, if you do go with a Gretsch I recommend you check out Streetsounds. I've bought from them before. I got my NOS Annie from them for €800 taxed. The same model is €1670 on Thomann, I believe. Don't just look at the Falcon - there are a lot of other options if you're looking for a Gretsch though!

This the lie that japanese Gretsch owners tell themselves... I've owned over 20 different Gretschs, the Japanese build quality is great but not like a U.S.A. made Gretsch.

I recommended a Rickenbacker because they are made in one one factory in Santa Anna, Claifornia still owned by the Halls. Every piece is a work of art and they make Semi-Hollow body guitars as well.

If you want to buy a new guitar a Rickenbacker is better than a japanese Gretsch, IMHO.

Pauleeeeeeee · 03-11-2008 03:26PM

Talking about Rickenbackers is all well and good but at the end of the day I personally think that asthetically the White Falcon is leagues nicer than any Rickenbacker.

Bod1 · 03-11-2008 05:33PM

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

This the lie that japanese Gretsch owners tell themselves... I've owned over 20 different Gretschs, the Japanese build quality is great but not like a U.S.A. made Gretsch.

If you look at any of the Gretsch sites, they'll tell you that the quality of the American instruments has been patchy at best, quality of fit and finish has varied greatly and that's reflected in the price of vintage instruments. The Japanese guitars are great, well made and sound fantastic.

There's no point in comparing a Rick with a Gretsch, it's like comparing a Fender with a Gibson, it's a matter of personal taste, Rickenbacker have kept the brand "family" and fair play, but a Gretsch sounds like a Gretsch and a Rick sounds like a Rick.

Ravelleman · 03-11-2008 08:21PM

sprinklesspanky wrote: »

This the lie that japanese Gretsch owners tell themselves... I've owned over 20 different Gretschs, the Japanese build quality is great but not like a U.S.A. made Gretsch.

I recommended a Rickenbacker because they are made in one one factory in Santa Anna, Claifornia still owned by the Halls. Every piece is a work of art and they make Semi-Hollow body guitars as well.

If you want to buy a new guitar a Rickenbacker is better than a japanese Gretsch, IMHO.

Thank you.

I stand by my point.

ball ox · 03-11-2008 08:39PM

they have one in Xmusic, after seeing it up close my girlfriend had to literally drag me out of the shop.

Dord · 03-11-2008 08:45PM

Bod1 wrote: »

If you look at any of the Gretsch sites, they'll tell you that the quality of the American instruments has been patchy at best, quality of fit and finish has varied greatly and that's reflected in the price of vintage instruments. The Japanese guitars are great, well made and sound fantastic.

There's no point in comparing a Rick with a Gretsch, it's like comparing a Fender with a Gibson, it's a matter of personal taste, Rickenbacker have kept the brand "family" and fair play, but a Gretsch sounds like a Gretsch and a Rick sounds like a Rick.

I've noticed that, the older American made Gretsch's don't seem to get much love and the prices are pretty low on them used.

Comparing a Gretsch and a Rickenbacker is just ridiculous. Like comparing a banana and an orange. Both are fruits but totally different!

I'd take a Gretsch over a Rickenbacker any day. They look much cooler and don't come with the snobery associated with RIC's.

Seziertisch · 04-11-2008 12:17AM

As someone who owns both, I would have to say that stock Japanese Gretsches are probably the better guitar.

I mean, once the R tailpiece on my Ric tore apart quite literally and had to be replaced. I opened the case one morning and the metal had ripped apart from the stress of holding the strings in place. It seems that I am not the only person who has had this happen to them. I was unable to order a replacement directly from the States and the prices from the UK supplier were quite literally double that of the US prices (90 USD became 90 Sterling). I eventually got a friend living in the States to sort out getting the part for me. I also had to get the neck pickup rewound. It sounded terrible and I took a reading from it. It weighed in at a whopping 18 kOhm.

I have also met a few luthiers that are not fans of Rics from a maintenance perspective. They have so many features which are just questionable. The stock frets are really low, the fret board has an unnecessary hard-glossy finish. You cannot remove the truss-rod cover on a 12-string Ric when it is fully strung. The strings make contact with the edges of the truss rod cover which does wonders for tuning. The fact that Rics have two truss rods make a user set up all the more difficult. On top of this the standard hi-gain pickups are only ok, alright for some stuff but not great overall. And of course should you wish to replace them with toaster pickups these sell for 170 Sterling a piece from the UK dealer.

That said, nothing sounds like a Ric, just like if you want an orange then eat and orange but don't expect the same thing from a banana (or a Gretsch as the case may be) or vice versa.

John · 04-11-2008 12:38AM

Please don't compare Gretsches to bananas, I hate bananas.

eoin5 · 04-11-2008 12:41AM

A white falcon is on the list, but alas the list is long...

Patricide · 04-11-2008 01:37AM

overexcitedaj wrote: »

Oh i love the white Falcons. Go for it man..... or why not get a prs for that money now that i think of it.

Pretty different guitars there though. Might as well be saying dont get a telecaster, get a warlock!!

I heard a mixed bag o reviews on the newer white falcons. Id say your best bet as said here before would be to try to get an early 90ies one second hand. Youd be prob saving yourself in the pocket too!

Pauleeeeeeee · 25-01-2009 05:50PM

I just pressed the order button on Gak.co.uk.

I'm officially excited and broke.

Gretsche - White Falcon

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