Gretsch G6134 1956 White Penguin reissue + OHSC
Near mint condition reissue from 2014 of the legendary 1956 Gretsch White Penguin.
*Gallery below. Click on thumbnails to view in full screen*
Many consider the original Gretsch White Penguin to be THE Holy Grail vintage guitar. Certainly going by the original production estimates they are exceptionally rare.
For many years it wasn’t even known if the White Penguin actually existed - it wasn’t officially listed in the Gretsch catalogue or promoted in any way by Gretsch, and was only available as a custom order. Then one by one collectors began to track them down.
Presently there are around 12 original 50’s single cutaway White Penguin’s known to exist. This one here is a reissue of the first (and most sought after) version of the White Penguin with the 1956/57 specs. Originals exchange hands for well into 6 figures. This reissue itself is currently discontinued.
Based on the semi-solid body Gretsch Duo Jet but given the appointments of the top of the range hollow-body White Falcon, this period accurate reissue of the 1956 White Penguin features a chambered mahogany body with maple top, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, medium jumbo frets, hump inlays with feather detail, Cadillac ‘G’ tailpiece, Gretsch Dynasonic ‘DeArmond’ pick-ups, Gretsch ‘Melita’ Synchro-Sonic adjustable bridge, armrest, barrel knobs with pearl and rhinestone inlays, gold plated hardware, white gloss nitro finish, gold sparkle binding and White Falcon style headstock with winged vertical Gretsch logo. Visually this guitar is a definite head-turner.
Sonically the two Dynasonic pick-ups provide all of the sparkle and wide range of the original 50’s DeArmond pick-ups on which they are based. This is the essence of the famous ‘Gretsch Sound’. The chambered body adds another dimension of natural resonance to give this guitar it’s distinct voice.
Aside from a few barely visible light surface scratches on the back of the guitar, which are impossible to photograph, this is in mint condition.
Particularly favoured by Rockabilly players the Gretsch Sound is also at home in the hands of Alternative, Country and Classic Rock guitarists.
These 56 White Penguin reissues are getting harder to find so if you are specifically looking for one then look no further. Or if you fancy something a bit different that oozes class and style then this ticks those boxes too.
Comes with the original hard shell case but no case candy.
