Billy Duffy, the iconic guitarist of The Cult, has been synonymous with his distinctive blend of psychedelic, gothic rock. A significant part of his signature sound has been his unwavering loyalty to Gretsch guitars, particularly the White Falcon.
A Lifelong Love Affair
Duffy’s journey with the Falcon began in the early days of his career. “I kind of always wanted to get a Gretsch White Falcon,” he recalls. “I got in the band, took all my life savings, and waddled down to a shop in London. Everything I owned I put into that guitar.”
This new 8424 limited run is based on his Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Falcon model and has a limited edition truss rod cover and gold hardware instead,

The Sound of the Falcon
What makes the Falcon so special to Duffy? “The main attribute of all Gretsch guitars is that they create a three-dimensional sound,” he explains. “It allowed me to create space with the instrument. Certain other guitars are quite dense, and there’s air and breath within a Gretsch.”
Think She Sells Sanctuary, and you’ll know exactly what he means.
This limited-edition guitar is a true collector’s item. It exudes elegance with Black Top Filter’tron pickups, gold hardware, and gold sparkle binding. The commemorative “8424” metal truss rod cover and Duffy’s hand-signed signature add a personal touch. The 2.75”-deep maple body, U-shaped maple neck, and 25.5” scale length offer classic Gretsch tone and playability.
At the same time, the Bigsby B6GW tailpiece and pinned TOM-style bridge provide expressive vibrato and solid tuning stability.
Celebrating 40 Years with a Signature Model
To mark The Cult’s 40th anniversary, Gretsch has released a limited-edition Billy Duffy Signature Falcon. This stunning instrument pays homage to the original design while incorporating a few of Duffy’s personal touches, including:
- Black Top Filter’Tron pickups
- Gold hardware and gold sparkle binding
- Commemorative “8424” metal truss rod cover
- Hand-signed by Billy Duffy
A Testament to a Timeless Guitar
The Billy Duffy 8424 Signature Falcon captures the essence of The Cult’s sound and the spirit of the Gretsch White Falcon.
If you like the Gothic Rock The Cult did in the 1980s, read our Goth Guitar Tones guide. These limited-edition signature models will probably sell out fast, so if you want one, don’t wait too long.
MSRP – $4,499.99
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