Gretsch Billy Duffy Falcon: 40 Years of Cult Classic Tone
Billy Duffy's signature Gretsch Falcon: A 40-year love affair with a legendary guitar at the heart of The Cult
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Gretsch
Friedrich Gretsch started the company in Brooklyn in 1883, building drums, banjos and eventually guitars long before the hollow-body electric became its signature. The 6120 "Nashville," developed with Chet Atkins in the 1950s, and the White Falcon defined the brand's look and sound, and George Harrison's use of Gretsch guitars through the mid-1960s introduced them to a much wider audience than country and rockabilly players alone. The Gretsch family still owns the company; Fender has handled production, marketing and distribution since 2002. New Streamliner and Electromatic releases, and the odd signature Falcon, are what we cover most. Here's everything we've written.
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Founded1883
Based inSavannah, Georgia, USA
FounderFriedrich Gretsch
Articles here31
Makes
- Electric guitars
- Acoustic guitars
- Bass guitars
- Drums
Known for
- White Falcon
- Country Gentleman
- Duo Jet
- 6120
- Electromatic
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Gretsch FAQ4 questions
How old is Gretsch?
The company was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York, by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant who made banjos, tambourines and drums until his death in 1895. His son Fred Gretsch Sr. moved production to a larger plant in 1916, and the firm became one of the best-known American instrument makers. It is now based in Savannah, Georgia.
What is a Gretsch White Falcon?
The flagship — a large hollow-body electric with a white finish, gold hardware and gold sparkle binding, introduced in the mid 1950s as a show model rather than a production guitar. It stayed in the line and became the guitar most people picture when they hear the name Gretsch.
What is the difference between Gretsch Professional and Electromatic?
Price and origin. The Professional Collection guitars are the high-end models, built in Japan, and carry Gretsch's own pickups and hardware. Electromatic and Streamliner are the more affordable imported ranges, built to the same shapes with simpler appointments. All three carry the Gretsch name, so read the collection, not just the headstock.
Do Gretsch guitars have Bigsby vibratos?
Many do, and the pairing is part of the brand's identity — the Bigsby's shallow bend suits the hollow-body designs Gretsch is known for. Plenty of models come without one, though, either with a fixed bar bridge or a V-stoptail, and those are usually the easier guitars to keep in tune.