In its January 2016 issue, Guitar World magazine bestowed its Platinum Award to the Gretsch G6136t-LTV White Falcon.
Reviewer Chris Gill offered up a short write-up of the Falcon’s history, noting that it was originally designed to appease jazz players and promoted as the “Cadillac of guitars.” But despite constructing the Falcon to that audience, instead, the instrument soon became associated with rock and roll thanks to the likes of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Billy Duffy and James Hetfield.
“I even fondly remember seeing Malcolm Young grappling with a huge White Falcon during a late-Seventies AC/DC concert,” noted Gill.
“Today Gretsch offers a dozen Falcon models, including versions with black or green finishes,” he continued. “Each is cool in its own way, but my personal favorite is the new G6136T-LTV White Falcon. Based upon the late ’50s version, the G6136T-LTV includes a few modern updates that make it possibly the best White Falcon ever.”
Gill goes on to explain those features, including the Adjusto-Matic bridge that is pinned into place and a pair of TV Jones TV Classic humbucking pickups, which are based on the highly desirable PAF Filter’Tron pickups of the late ’50s.
Gill’s “Bottom Line”?
“With its just-right balance of classic aesthetics and modern upgrades, the Gretsch G6136T-LTV is by far the best White Falcon model that the company currently offers, particularly for rock-minded players.”
Read the full review here, and also check out a video demo below by Paul Riaro.