GAS-ing for a Silver Falcon but I’m 5’7”

[Tremolo Arm]

Many thanks for all your feedback so far.

There seems to be a lot of love for the centre block Falcons. I had a Black Flacon Player's Edition (the one in my avatar) and simply couldn't bond wit it. For a start I could not keep in tune to save my life. For reference the RHH I bought subsequently stays in tune perfectly even with generous Bigsby use.
And the the centre block was a killer for me. I don't use tons of gain so for my personal use that was superfluous and just killed that airy feeling I get with the RHH. And it was heavy. Like I said I have a Gibson 335 Historic RI 63, which I love the sound and looks of but it is just too heavy and I am thinking of letting go (hence the interest in the Silver Falcon). There is a 125th Anniversary for sale, which is 3.4Kg and in good condition so I am thinking of pulling the proverbial trigger.

The scale length shouldn't be a problem as I have a Tele and 2 Strats. It's just the depth and the lower bout that worry me, being a short guy. But from folks' observations here it sounds like that should not be a show stopper...

 

[loudnlousy]

These are absolutely incredible guitars. I would love to own one.
When I am thinking of small guys playing a super-big Falcon Malcolm Young comes to my mind:

It looked cool on him...
It will look cool on you, too. Guaranteed.

 

[Fairlane Blue]

Don't feel bad - I too am not a big person and being only 5'8" I've played a few falcons in my life and I can't tell much between my Electromatic and the Falcon. I play multiple instruments and I adapt easily. The body size is so that you get the resonance of the hollow body sound. If you liken it to being in a small room the sound is more constricted and doesn't travel but in a big room the sound bounces around. In other words: Try playing a Godin nylon string guitar with the tiny thin electric size body then play a full size nylon string and hear the difference.

On another note: I wish I could've met Bono and talked music and guitars. What a thrill that must've been! I too wish I owned a White Falcon but after the fiasco with my Electromatic I guess it's better off that I don't.

 

[rockndawg]

The Late Great Sylvain Sylvian from the New York Dolls played Falcons a lot, he was I think only 5"4".

 

[jhuffle]

5'6" and also looking at a falcon.

 

[G5422T]

Many thanks for all your feedback so far.

There seems to be a lot of love for the centre block Falcons. I had a Black Flacon Player's Edition (the one in my avatar) and simply couldn't bond wit it. For a start I could not keep in tune to save my life. For reference the RHH I bought subsequently stays in tune perfectly even with generous Bigsby use.
And the the centre block was a killer for me. I don't use tons of gain so for my personal use that was superfluous and just killed that airy feeling I get with the RHH. And it was heavy. Like I said I have a Gibson 335 Historic RI 63, which I love the sound and looks of but it is just too heavy and I am thinking of letting go (hence the interest in the Silver Falcon). There is a 125th Anniversary for sale, which is 3.4Kg and in good condition so I am thinking of pulling the proverbial trigger.

The scale length shouldn't be a problem as I have a Tele and 2 Strats. It's just the depth and the lower bout that worry me, being a short guy. But from folks' observations here it sounds like that should not be a show stopper...

These two are "best friends."

 

[rcboals]

Really love the looks of a silver Falcon but I’m afraid I may find it awkward to play, and ultimately enjoy, in the long run.

I currently own a Reverend Horton Heat and a Gibson 335. Love the Gretsch but never really bonded with the Gibson - too heavy and not a fan of the centre block.

What are people’s opinions of the old Silver Falcons (with the trestle bracing, deep body and space saver bridge)? Awkward to hold / play for a small guy? Worth buying used?

If your comfortable with a 6120 a Falcon wouldn't be to much of a stretch

Little Jimmy Dickens was 4" 11" He had no problem play big guitars. You can do this thang go by a Falcon now.

 

[LA Miles]

At this stage I've shrunk to 5'11 but I never got this "Falcon/Phoenix/CC" too big for smaller built guy. Plenty of gals in country music strumming good sized accoustic guits.

BTW, what's the diff between a Panther and one of these new centerblock, double cut thin Falcons. Also are they "Really" Falcons - not close to original design (I don't think??). Paint it white with some bling and put a boot-jack headstock on it and call it a Falcon.

Maybe too much time n my hands. God luck with your quest. Oh, I have a Panther and a Phoenix - I like the Panther better.

 

[mbkri]

That black bird is an absolute stunner. I have not seen silver falcons with those fret markers. Which model is this exactly?

They are 2004 versions of the G6136. The only year they come with filtertrons, mud switch, feathered humpblocks and vertical gretsch headstock. My favourite model year ( hence two of them)
I have changed the Bigsby and bridge on the white one. The silver one is completely stock

 

[Seamus]

Good point. If all you've ever played is Gibson-ish 24.6-24.75" scales, then the 25.5" scale of a most Falcons could be quite a surprise and require some adjustment to your fret hand.

I played my Gypsy Jazz Selmer-style almost exclusively for about a decade. And now when I play anything with a shorter scale, it just feels weird. Funny the difference that small change makes. The only time I don't like it is when I have trouble stretching to a weird chord now and then. I do think it's ever so slightly slower (when I had a Hot Rod for a few months, I was definitely faster), but the advantages outweight that.

 

[Seamus]

On another note: I wish I could've met Bono and talked music and guitars. What a thrill that must've been!

It definitely was! I used to be a music journalist, and I got to meet a lot of my heroes. But it was sheer luck that I met him long before journalism. He was so genuine and generous that it made me a life-long fan. There were a few artists of various sorts that were absolute a-holes to a mere journalist, but he was among the incredibly personable contingent.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

How do I wear my Falcon?
About the same as any other guitar. Not slung low but not up under my chin either. My picking hand winds up somewhere between my belt and belly button.

 

[Rockabilly Newbie]

I was 5’7” until last week, when I visited occupational health at work. I was measured at 5’5”. Wouldn’t put me off buying my dream guitar.

 

[Back in Black]

Really love the looks of a silver Falcon but I’m afraid I may find it awkward to play, and ultimately enjoy, in the long run.

I currently own a Reverend Horton Heat and a Gibson 335. Love the Gretsch but never really bonded with the Gibson - too heavy and not a fan of the centre block.

What are people’s opinions of the old Silver Falcons (with the trestle bracing, deep body and space saver bridge)? Awkward to hold / play for a small guy? Worth buying used?

TA,

You could always try playing it standing on a coke box...

Seriously though, I'm 6' 3'' and I have always preferred small body guitars, they just ''fit better'', kind of like having that perfect wallet.

Good luck on deciding.

Best,

BIB.

 

[JC higgy]

5'9" and about 10 stone/140 pounds,i've no problem with the size, i know it's big but i love the thing!
The scale is more noticeable when changing guitars.

Steve Marriott played a Falcon for a while too.

 

[Seamus]

I think it's important to keep a sense of priorities. Just eat extra helpings of pasta for a few months, and get a pair of these. Problem solved!

 

[Bertotti]

I think it's important to keep a sense of priorities. Just eat extra helpings of pasta for a few months, and get a pair of these. Problem solved!

View attachment 205320

I love how you think!

 

[Maguchi]

Really love the looks of a silver Falcon but I’m afraid I may find it awkward to play, and ultimately enjoy, in the long run.

I currently own a Reverend Horton Heat and a Gibson 335. Love the Gretsch but never really bonded with the Gibson - too heavy and not a fan of the centre block.

What are people’s opinions of the old Silver Falcons (with the trestle bracing, deep body and space saver bridge)? Awkward to hold / play for a small guy? Worth buying used?

Malcolm Young was 5'3"

 

[Maguchi]

Emmylou Harris is 5'5" and plays a Gibson Super Jumbo. It ain't the size a the fight in the dog...or...wait a minute, something like that.

 

[slide]

These two are "best friends."

View attachment 205294

I noticed that I can't see volume or tone knobs on the Gretsch in the photo. Only the master volume.