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Post by brad737 on Aug 28, 2008 21:04:07 GMT -7
Hi guys,
I've always loved the pimpin' look of the Gretsch White Falcon. But they're not exactly widely available here in sunny, exotic Cincinnati, Ohio. I played one for about 30 seconds in Manny's Music on 48th Street in Manhattan...until I saw the D'Angelico I took home. The Falcon I played had a Bigsby on it though. I HATE those things. Can anyone offer any opinions on them? Are these rockers, or more jazzy sounding? Good workmanship?
Thanks,
bs
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Post by real oldster on Aug 28, 2008 23:31:20 GMT -7
I love the White Falcon. They also come in black. Guess what they call the black one. They're very versatile and they certainly do rock.  |
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Post by azatplayer on Aug 28, 2008 23:34:35 GMT -7
They call the black one a silver falcon?
I love them too. And rock they can. One of our local icons, a guy by the name of Johnny Diesel, used one last time i saw him.
Man that thing was awesome! Hes a blues, rock kinda guy, very good player. The Falcon went everywhere he did, way cool guitar.
Of course i have played about three, and while all were nice, there was a standout one. The Japs make great guitars.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Aug 29, 2008 0:01:57 GMT -7
LeftyLang has 1....It deffly looks like a keeper!! I have always Jonesed for a WF meself.  BUT....a D'Angelico New Yorker has always been on me radar as well....  |
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Aug 29, 2008 6:22:24 GMT -7
Rockers that have used White Falcons include Steven Stills (there is a custom stills model), Neil Young (on occasion), Bono (though his is Irish Green), Brian Setzer (his white falcon is black), Billie Joe Armstrong (GreenDay) and Rich Robinson (Black Crowes) among others. So yeah, I guess they can be used by rockers  |
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Post by MeZadude on Aug 29, 2008 7:07:14 GMT -7
One of the gal singers in a band I'm forming bought a new White Falcon a couple of weeks ago. She brought it in to rehearsal for me to check out, as I have had a Gretsch or two. Does Gretsch make more than one White Falcon model? 'Cause this one reminded me of a cheaper Korean or Chinese guitar. It had 'Made In Japan' on the headstock, but the quality of the instrument didn't compare at all to the 2004 Gretsch 6122SP I have, which was 'Made In Japan'. The binding was tacky gold-metalflake plastic. If there's a 'high end' model, then that would be the one to check out. I was unimpressed with this new White Falcon. MeZa |
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Post by dock66 on Aug 29, 2008 7:09:10 GMT -7
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Post by brad737 on Aug 29, 2008 10:16:27 GMT -7
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Post by fendertele on Aug 29, 2008 11:44:30 GMT -7
Other than a Tele, the WF is my favorite guitar. Brian Setzer plays one in the original video for "Stray Cat Strut", I believe. I would provide the ling for ya, but youtube is blocked here at work.
What is it you don't like about a Bigsby? I've never owned owned a guitar w/one on it, but if I ever can afford a Gretcsh, it would have to have one, just to be able to get that shimmer thing happening once in awhile.
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Post by brad737 on Aug 29, 2008 12:19:26 GMT -7
I haven't spent much time with one. But I thought it was heavy as hell, didn't stay in tune worth a crap, and looks like a goofy afterthought. Other than that, I guess they're ok. What is it you don't like about a Bigsby? quote] |
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Post by Dustin on Aug 29, 2008 12:24:59 GMT -7
I haven't spent much time with one. But I thought it was heavy as hell, didn't stay in tune worth a crap, and looks like a goofy afterthought. Other than that, I guess they're ok. Don't hold back Brad; how do you really feel about it?  While I've never played a Falcon, I've got a serious case of GAS for a black 6120 (or more realistically, a 5120). To me, a Gretsch hollowbody has to have a Bigsby; its part of the package. |
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Post by jeffrsn on Aug 30, 2008 5:19:12 GMT -7
ditto to Dustin's comment about the Bigsby being part of the package.. like Sonny without Cher, Garfunkle without Simon.
Those whammy bars give the coolest warble. Sure, you can bend a string up but only a tremolo can lower a note a half to a whole step.
I regret having sold my Country Gentleman. At the time I was playing Stratocasters and I needed an amp so I traded the Gent but I still have a major soft spot for classic Gretches.
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edg
New Member
Posts: 35
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Post by edg on Aug 31, 2008 20:26:26 GMT -7
I have a WF. Only thing I did was swap out the factory pups for some TV Jones. Glad I did. I like the guitar and I like Bigsby's. I got a bunch of guitars with Bigsby's.
Another guitarist who plays a Gretsch: Pete Townsend. An old Chet Atkins model, given to him by Joe Walsh. Used it on "Who's Next".
Later,
edg
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Post by real oldster on Sept 1, 2008 0:09:30 GMT -7
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Sept 1, 2008 7:10:07 GMT -7
Here's where I developed my White Falcon obsession (that has yet to be fulfilled):
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Post by brad737 on Sept 1, 2008 9:16:13 GMT -7
Wow. . The guitar looked cool. But I couldn't watch (listen to) that whole song. |
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Post by tele1962 on Sept 1, 2008 12:24:29 GMT -7
Pete Townsend has some genius to him, but other parts of him are stunted. Sometimes he doesn't come across like the brightest light on the tree.
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Post by Jan on Sept 1, 2008 20:10:44 GMT -7
I interviewed a lot of high-end, hollow body guitars for over a year recently. I was getting back into playing after not having a guitar in the house for decades. Way back in '68 I was given a Country Gentleman. It was made around '63 or '64. I say around because I am not sure and it did not have a serial number. Looking at published specs on the web now I see it did not exactly match either the pre or post '62 models. And it was stained emerald green. I know it was as-made original. It is a long story. It was the nicest guitar I have ever played. It was stolen in '76. I miss it badly. So you can see that Gretsch was very high on my list.
I know I missed a few but sometimes it felt like I had been to every guitar store within 100 miles of Atlanta. I was rather bummed at the inconsistent quality I found even on expensive name brands. You are all going, "how naive", and you would be right. I really did expect consistent goodness, especially when the price got near or way over $2k. I really was not prepared for the variability I saw in ~ $3k Gretsch models. This was in Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc. I must say that at Midtown Music, which is also the only local Dr Z dealer, I did see uniform goodness. My naiveté is well gone now. I would be preaching to the choir here now if I said play 100 guitars before you spend $2k or $3k or more on a guitar.
While I have never seen another emerald green one, I did find a few reasonably perfect Country Gentlemans. To be honest, white does nothing for me in a guitar, but I did try out some black Falcons, which were very nice. I eventually brought home a Gibson CS-336 and not a Gretsch. I think at some point I realized that because of the circumstances, I still had too much emotion invested in my old Gretsch to be happy with any other one. I may be better off with that anyway. I have some nerve damage that makes it increasingly difficult to play a larger guitar.
If you have ever loved a Gretsch, I feel for you. When you find the right one, nothing else will do. If White floats your boat, the Falcon is shiny.
I have had two guitars with a Bigsby, the aforementioned Country Gentleman and a fancy SG. I never had a tuning problem with the Gretsch. The SG was bad about holding tune until I had a professional guitar tech do a setup and install a bone nut.
If you saw Pete Townshend play live in the last century, you might wonder how any guitar he played could stay in tune.
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Post by LeftyLang on Sept 2, 2008 12:31:08 GMT -7
I love my White Falcon & I have 4 Guitars with Bigsbys and have never had a tuning problem. Rock, Blues, Jazz....does it all...........  |
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Post by azatplayer on Sept 4, 2008 4:30:12 GMT -7
Hi guys, I've always loved the pimpin' look of the Gretsch White Falcon. But they're not exactly widely available here in sunny, exotic Cincinnati, Ohio. I played one for about 30 seconds in Manny's Music on 48th Street in Manhattan...until I saw the D'Angelico I took home. The Falcon I played had a Bigsby on it though. I HATE those things. Can anyone offer any opinions on them? Are these rockers, or more jazzy sounding? Good workmanship? Thanks, bs Rockers? Heres some Aussie falcon rockers! |
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Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2008 8:53:30 GMT -7
Fantastic sound! That is one wild video too. It has so many WTF! moments but as the name says, it just rolls on.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Sept 4, 2008 14:45:12 GMT -7
Cool tones on that vid Don.
I remember Joe Walsh saying that he did Walk Away on a White Falcon. I have also seen him play one live a few times.
Close enuff!!
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Post by LeftyLang on Sept 4, 2008 16:52:48 GMT -7
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Post by LeftyLang on Sept 4, 2008 18:44:26 GMT -7
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Post by brad737 on Sept 4, 2008 19:53:39 GMT -7
Great looking guitar, Lefty. Why haven't we seen pics of this leaning against your gold-trimmed 66? I love my White Falcon & I have 4 Guitars with Bigsbys and have never had a tuning problem. Rock, Blues, Jazz....does it all........... |
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edg
New Member
Posts: 35
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Post by edg on Sept 4, 2008 19:55:33 GMT -7
Oh, a few other guitar players who have played White Falcons.... Stephen Stills and Neil Young.
edg
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Post by brad737 on Sept 4, 2008 20:00:28 GMT -7
I've never heard of the Living End before. Pretty cool sound. They really remind me of Green Day...sort of "neo-punk", That guy had the model of Falcon I like, the one with the vertical logo on the headstock, and the Cadillac tailpiece. I wonder if he used that guitar on the recording, and not just the video. It sounded a lot heavier than I'd imagined. Nice tone. Hi guys, I've always loved the pimpin' look of the Gretsch White Falcon. But they're not exactly widely available here in sunny, exotic Cincinnati, Ohio. I played one for about 30 seconds in Manny's Music on 48th Street in Manhattan...until I saw the D'Angelico I took home. The Falcon I played had a Bigsby on it though. I HATE those things. Can anyone offer any opinions on them? Are these rockers, or more jazzy sounding? Good workmanship? Thanks, bs Rockers? Heres some Aussie falcon rockers! |
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Post by brad737 on Sept 4, 2008 20:03:40 GMT -7
I forgot about the Cult. Cool band. |
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Post by LeftyLang on Sept 4, 2008 20:09:09 GMT -7
;D Great looking guitar, Lefty. Why haven't we seen pics of this leaning against your gold-trimmed 66? I love my White Falcon & I have 4 Guitars with Bigsbys and have never had a tuning problem. Rock, Blues, Jazz....does it all........... I will see what I can do |
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Post by azatplayer on Sept 5, 2008 2:11:32 GMT -7
The Living End are a great band, been around a while now. They opened for AC/DC back round 01'. Rockabilly punk, you gotta love the energy. Chris Cheney is a great guitarist, lots of rockabilly in there but with that english type of punk energy blended in for good measure. Way cool. They always sell out pretty quick when touring here. The bass player rides that standup like a scateboard, can stayt on it thru a whole song, pretty cool. I have a buddy thats seen them 5 times, he says the bassist always finishes with bleeding fingers. Thats hardcore.. Cheney has a penchant for Gretsch guitars. Seems to have a different one each time ,but always Gretsch. I like em' |
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