Gretsch Limited Edition Quilt Classic Falcon Electric Guitar in Forge Glow

The Falcon is a staple of Gretsch’s illustrious line-up and this limited-edition bird harks back to the golden age of guitar design. The Quilt Classic is kitted out in period accurate appointments as seen on legendary vintage models including 1959 trestle bracing, a Bigsby B6GVT tailpiece and TV Jones pickups based on the schematics in designer Ray Butt’s personal notes. Together, this gorgeous Gretsch Falcon combines the best of classic guitar history in a bold, luxurious instrument and true collector’s piece.

Golden style

A sophisticated rendition of the original masterpiece, the semi-hollow single-cut Falcon has been constructed with a simply stunning figured quilt maple top, matching headstock and all-gold hardware – one of the most glamorous guitars ever made. The nitro lacquer allows the guitar to age gracefully and earn its stripes over the coming years. On the inside, the trestle bracing is a unique system utilising two bridge-shaped struts stretching from the top of the guitar to the back, improving sustain and reducing feedback. You also get Gretsch’s iconic knurled strap retainer knobs, Grover Imperial tuners and of course, the Falcon graphic pickguard for the full art deco outfitting.

Sound developed from Ray Butts’ original schematics

We have pickup designer Ray Butts to thank for the evolution of electric guitars. He built the prototype hum-cancelling Ful-Fidelity in 1959, of which this Falcon is in possession. Gretsch have referred to Butts’ original notes and decades of development to create this pairing. They deliver a unique sparkle and complex dynamics thanks to the slightly lower output than the TV Classics. They’re bright and tight at the low-end, making for pronounced, vocal-like tones.

Fifties feel

As expected from a vintage design, the Falcon comes equipped with “U” shape neck that naturally fills the hand, combining with the gentle 12-inch fingerboard radius, medium jumbo frets and 1.6875" nut width giving you a tried-and-tested feel for any traditional techniques.  The real bone nut is another period feature providing excellent sustain and instrument longevity.

Bigsby vibrato and Space control bridge for custom playing feel

Is a Falcon really complete without a Bisgby? The premium B6GVT is crafted the same as the original Kalamazoo line, made of a sturdy aluminium and designed specifically for hollow body guitars to add smooth vibrato style to your playing. 

The Space Control bridge offers easy adjustment based on whether you prefer your strings closer for quick chord changes or further apart from defined finger playing.

• Limited edition Forge Glow: a classic rendition of a vintage model on the eyes and ears with period-accurate appointments.
• Quilt maple body with trestle bracing: a 2.75” deep body with the highly desired ’59 trestle bracing that is outfitted with stunning highly figured quilt maple and finished in a rich, vibrant Forge Glow finish.
• Nitro lacquer coating: a premium finish that allows the guitar’s wood to "breathe" resulting in a more open sound with greater sustain.
• TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity Filter'Tron pickups: A faithful reproduction of the originalpickups invented by the legendary Ray Butts made according to Ray's personal notes and designs.
• Bigsby tailpiece: B6GVT vibrato tailpiece that adds shimmer and dimension to the sound, with increased vibration transfer for enhanced sustain.
• Genuine bone nut: A genuine bone nut provides harmonically rich tone that enhances sound quality while offering excellent tuning stability.
• Deluxe hollow body hardshell case included: Luxurious protection on the move with wood construction and plush red interior.

Neck

• Headstock Binding: Neck Material
• Maple: Neck Finish
• Gloss: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Shape: Standard "U"
• Neck Construction: Set-Neck
• Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Position Inlays: Mother of Pearl Neo-Classic Thumbnail
• Side Dots: Black
• Number of Frets: 22
• String Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.6875" (42.86 mm)
• Nut Material: Bone
• Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
• Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)

Body

• Body: Laminated Quilt Maple
• Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Body Shape: Falcon
• Body Top: Arched Laminated Quilt Maple
• Body Binding: Aged White with B/W/B Purfling
• Body Back: Arched Laminated Quilt Maple
• Body Material: Laminated Quilt Maple
• Cutaway: Single Cutaway
• Bracing: 1959 Trestle Bracing
• Sound Hole: F-Holes, Bound

Hardware

• Bridge: Space Control
• Bridge Cover/Tailpiece: Bigsby B6GVT
• Bridge Mounting: Pinned
• Pickguard: Gold Plexi with Gold Gretsch Logo and Falcon Graphic
• Pickup Covers: Gold
• Control Knobs: Jeweled G-Arrow
• Hardware Finish: Gold
• Tuning Machines: Grover Imperial
• Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.011-.049 Gauges)
• Strap Buttons: Gretsch Knurled Strap Retainer Knobs

Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity
• Neck Pickup: TV Jones Ray Butts Ful-Fidelity
• Pickup Configuration: Filter'Tron / Filter'Tron
• Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Volume
• Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge And Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup, 3-Position Tone Switch