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unbridled · October 16th, 2009, 10:11 PM

First off, I'm not posting this to start an argument or anything like that.

I just want to know what makes the Falcons so special. I know they are probably great guitars, but I will probably never see or touch one here in Montana. What is it about them that makes us GreTschies want them so bad? It seems like I would like one but the only thing that would steer me away from one would be the size.

So, whatta ya think? Tell me why you love Falcons!

gruvsyco · October 16th, 2009, 10:19 PM

For me personally.. I just like the white... I sure do wish Gretsch would release that white 5120 stateside.

Synchro · October 16th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbridled

First off, I'm not posting this to start an argument or anything like that.

I just want to know what makes the Falcons so special. I know they are probably great guitars, but I will probably never see or touch one here in Montana. What is it about them that makes us GreTschies want them so bad? It seems like I would like one but the only thing that would steer me away from one would be the size.

So, whatta ya think? Tell me why you love Falcons!

I think it's just the fact that it's an over the top guitar, filled with glitz and glitter yet is still subtantial as an instrument. I never really like the looks all that much until I saw one being played in a dark club with multi-colored stage lighting. In that setting the glitz didn't look so glitzy. It functioned as stage makeup and the guitar just looked like a very pretty archtop. The gold sparkle binding looked burgundy under those conditions.

time2dance · October 16th, 2009, 10:34 PM

it's just an incredibly sexy guitar.

unbridled · October 16th, 2009, 10:34 PM

Yeah, I can get into that. Sometimes over the top is just right I guess.

But, how do they sound?

I'd like to see a white 5120 come this direction too.

Bengal65 · October 16th, 2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbridled

Yeah, I can get into that. Sometimes over the top is just right I guess.

But, how do they sound?

They sound like godsent! Just awesome. It will double as an acoustic almost. They are loud acoustically.
Gretsch initially built them as a show piece for the NAMM show way back and never intended to sell them. The reaction to the showing was why not build them? It was marketed as the ultimate electric guitar and right up there with the Gibson Super 400.
I just love all the glitz and the sound that goes with it.
You can probably get close to the sound without the sparkle with a Country Club, which I'd like to have as well.

Sarah93003 · October 17th, 2009, 12:06 AM

I've only played one, but I can say that the neck was incredible. It was a dream to play. I think there is a variety of sounds since there is a variety of pickup arrangements. Hot Rod Michelle's Falcon sounds awesome through a tube amp! To me it's almost like a gritty twang if that makes sense.

unbridled · October 17th, 2009, 12:10 AM

That's cool. Kinda like when a concept car makes it into production.

I'm going to have to track one down to play.

Hmmm... I have a neurologist appointment coming up in Salt Lake. Might be my chance.

Another question: are the F holes real or painted on like some of the Chet models?
Posted via Mobile Device

Sarah93003 · October 17th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbridled

That's cool. Kinda like when a concept car makes it into production.

I'm going to have to track one down to play.

Hmmm... I have a neurologist appointment coming up in Salt Lake. Might be my chance.

Another question: are the F holes real or painted on like some of the Chet models?
Posted via Mobile Device

They are real on the Falcons.

Bengal65 · October 17th, 2009, 12:44 AM

Yep, they are real and are lined with the same binding material as the outside perimeter of the guitar. They are real, that's why I say the guitar is very loud acoustically (unplugged).

roadjunkie · October 17th, 2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah93003

I've only played one, but I can say that the neck was incredible. It was a dream to play. I think there is a variety of sounds since there is a variety of pickup arrangements. Hot Rod Michelle's Falcon sounds awesome through a tube amp! To me it's almost like a gritty twang if that makes sense.

Did she pick up tha Mesa yet? I'm waiting to hear some thoughts on that!

getbent · October 17th, 2009, 02:26 AM

I always wanted one after seeing a band who had a great guitar player... it was on 4th of july in prescott, az in 1979.... I dreamed of having one....

and now I have one... it sounds as good as I thought and is as cool as I thought... but, you gotta be able to pull it off....

dafreeze · October 17th, 2009, 05:52 AM

I've never played a Falcon and I don't want to. No sense in me getting all excited about wanting a guitar that's that fine.

I'd wager everything the sound is increadible and can be partially attributed to the size. I can relate to that notion a smidge, if not more. This Dyna powered Club with 17" x 2 3/4" spruce top sound posted body is the best sounding most authoritive guitar I've got or have ever played. A Falcon like this could only be better.

Scott · October 17th, 2009, 07:54 AM

They're simply very glitzy, but very cool guitars. They stand out, that's for sure. But that's just cosmetic...under the hood, it's still a Gretsch.
My Falcon is a great guitar. It's an early LDS with trestle bracing, which is quite the contrast to my Club, which has the spruce top and no soundpost. But both are 17" bodies with full scale length. A 16" 6120 might feel more comfortable, but the bigger bodies just push more air, and it's noticeable in the tone, plugged or unplugged.

Sarah93003 · October 17th, 2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadjunkie

Did she pick up tha Mesa yet? I'm waiting to hear some thoughts on that!

Not yet, but she's getting very close!

I already hear the Falcon through the Mesa and all I can say is, Man-oh-Man! It sounded so awesome. I actually could hear it from the parking lot before I ever entered the store. I knew it was Michelle before I even walked in.

Sarah93003 · October 17th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

They're simply very glitzy, but very cool guitars. They stand out, that's for sure. But that's just cosmetic...under the hood, it's still a Gretsch.
My Falcon is a great guitar. It's an early LDS with trestle bracing, which is quite the contrast to my Club, which has the spruce top and no soundpost. But both are 17" bodies with full scale length. A 16" 6120 might feel more comfortable, but the bigger bodies just push more air, and it's noticeable in the tone, plugged or unplugged.

I gotta admit though if you play one of these in public, you will get lots and lots of attention!

charlie chitlins · October 17th, 2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

... but, you gotta be able to pull it off....

Word.
Don't pull it out unless you really know how to use it!
That would be like owning a killer hotrod but not being able to answer if someone asked you what engine is in it.

unbridled · October 17th, 2009, 02:11 PM

Are they prone to feedback?

I honestly don't even know why I'm asking these questions. It's not like I'll ever get one.

My list has a 6120 on it long before I get a Falcon.

Sarah93003 · October 17th, 2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie chitlins

Word.
Don't pull it out unless you really know how to use it!
That would be like owning a killer hotrod but not being able to answer if someone asked you what engine is in it.

That's true.

My 1962 Chevy Impala had a 283, my 1966 Chevy Impala SS had a 327, my Hotrod Lincoln had a 460 built to the gills, my Corvette L82 had a 350 high compression. I may not know how to work on them but I know the names of all of the goodies.

Oh, and I do know how to drive them!!

That goes for motorcycles too. Top of my wishlist is an HD V-Rod Muscle. 95mph in 2nd gear is way too much fun!

ishtar · October 17th, 2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by time2dance

it's just an incredibly sexy guitar.

Sexy like Colonel Sanders is sexy!...

No, I am just kidding, again!

But give me a black or green falcon any day and I might drop my country club fetish.... I'm just sayin'....

And time2 and all the others with the White Falcons, you can all chalk it up to, "You're just jealous because you don't have one!" and you will have said something that has an element of truth.

Maybe it is because my ex liked white so much. But, yeah, I would say gaudy, 'over the top', but that is just me. And we all know how much credibility I don't have!