![]() ![]() Its 24-karat gold appointments and sparkle bindings popped. ![]() The sparkly gold plastic binding, meanwhile, came from the covering of Grestch’s drums.Īt the 1954 NAMM show, Gretsch unveiled their guitar of the future. The engraved pearl inlays that adorned the guitar’s fretboard and headstock were lifted from the banjo production line. Inspiration came from the diverse range of instruments produced in the Gretsch factory. Webster set to work on this “dream guitar.” His goal, essentially, was to create a supercharged, bells-and-whistles version of the popular Gibson Super 400. What if the “concept car” model was applied to guitars? Why didn’t Gretsch produce an instrument that, while never intended for sale, would spark the public’s imagination in the same way the Wildcat II or the Rocket had – and, position Gretsch at the forefront of electric guitar innovation in the process? Poring over these fantasy automobiles, Webster had an idea. Their radical, flashy designs sold an idea, a dream of a better future that the post-war American public was eager to believe in. But then, that was never really the point. None of them ever went into production, of course. The Buick Wildcat II, the Oldsmobile Rocket and the GM Firebird 1: these were the dream cars of tomorrow. Like so many petrol heads of the era, the concept designs he saw at auto shows like GM’s Motorama blew Webster away. If you ever wondered why Gretsch offered finishes like “Jaguar Tan” and “Cadillac Green,” that was down to Jimmie. You’ve only got to look at his impressive body of work to see that.īut, his second great passion was cars. Jimmie Webster - Gretsch’s lead designer, ambassador and all-round six-string guru of the 1950s – loved guitars. Today, we’re telling the story of the Grestch White Falcon, and how an intended one-off became a mass-market mainstay. Bizarrely though, it was never meant to be more than a prototype a dream of what the electric guitar could be… It’s an undisputed classic of electric guitar design. ![]() With that striking white finish, distinctive headstock, and luscious gold appointments, it’s certainly a head turner. Need help choosing a Gretsch? Check out our guide to Gretsch Guitars here.Plenty of electric guitars get described as “gorgeous.” But, in the looks department, you don’t get much prettier than the Gretsch White Falcon. The acoustic guitars offer big bold tones and a classy aesthetic at a more affordable price than their electric counterparts. Like the electric Falcons, these acoustic guitars are big-bodied ( jumbo) models with gold pickguards emblazoned with the iconic Gretsch falcon. Gretsch also offer a range of acoustic guitars inspired by the Falcon electric guitars. ![]() There are variations within the Falcon lineup: some with centre-blocks, some are single-cuts while others are double-cuts, there's even a Black Falcon model - but they're all among the best Gretsch have to offer. The White Falcon is the iconic model, with its classy white finish, gold hardware, and gold sparkle binding which gives it the feel of a classic, premium guitar. Gretsch Falcons are immediately recognisable from their large, hollow body and, of course, the large falcon decal on the pickguard. Falcons have graced the hands of many great musicians including John Frusciante, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and more. Since then the White Falcon has become an icon and an aspirational guitar for many guitarists. The White Falcon was unveiled to the world at the NAMM show in 1954 as a concept guitar, but it was so popular it was swiftly put into production. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |