Description

I've never been a huge fan of Gretsch guitars. I've played a few vintage Gretsch instruments, but their playability and condition were often less than ideal. I've also played some of the more recent Japanese-built models, but they just didn't suit me. Then I played this guitar, a '59 White Penguin Relic by Masterbuilder Stephen Stern, a guitar which has changed my attitude on what a Gretsch guitar can be!

Stephen Stern got started in the Fender Custom Shop back in 1993 and became a Masterbuilder soon thereafter. During his tenure, Stephen studied under archtop luthiers Bob Benedetto and James D'Aquisto. In 2005 he was elevated to head of the Gretsch Custom Shop. This gorgeous reproduction Penguin is an example of Stephen's incredible skills.

Like the original and very limited run Gretsch Penquin upon which it is based, this guitar has a chambered Mahogany body with a laminated Maple archtop. The guitar has a total weight of just 8.2 pounds. It has the lavish cosmetics Gretsch guitars are known for.

The neck is Mahogany and has a C-shaped carve with depth measurements of .88" at the first fret increasing to .94" at the twelfth fret. The fretboard is made of Ebony and has a 12" radius. The frets are called "vintage" but look and feel like 6105's to me. The nut is bone and is 1-11/16" wide. Fancy MOP inlays adorn the fretboard.

This particular Penguin has one of the very few examples with a Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece. I much prefer the tuning stability and intonation adjustability of this bridge over the Cadillac or Bigsby hardware most common on Gretsch guitars.

The pickups on this guitar include a TV Jones Classic humbucker in the neck position and a TV Jones Classic Plus in the bridge with outputs of 4.0K and 4.8K, respectively. Controls include a master volume, neck volume, bridge volume, master tone and a three way toggle.

The hardware is all gold-plated and realistically aged. In fact, the overall relic job on this guitar is among the most authentic I've seen anywhere. The aged patina Stephen has given this white finish is just amazing.

While it feels and looks like a vintage Gretsch in your hands, the playability tells you this is an instrument built with the exceptionally fine tolerances that only modern technology allows. This guitar plays superbly and the TOM bridge lets you set it up anyway you like.

The tone of this instrument is just what you want from a Gretsch - clean and sweet at lower volumes, a nice growl when gain is added. All you need is a tube amp and your guitar with this Gretsch, effects pedals are almost superfluous!

Built in 2015, this magnificent instrument has seen only light play. The factory aging aside, you will find no signs of use and the frets show no observable wear. It comes in it's original and similarly mint hardshell case along with the certificate of authenticity and accessories. A new example of this guitar will cost approximately $5.4K, but this lightly played beauty can be yours for $1,200 less.

Despite my pre-conceived notions, I'm blown away by how good this Masterbuilt Gretsch is. Make it yours - you will be very glad you did!

Capital Guitars

Capital Guitars

2015
Gretsch Custom Shop
Near Mint
Aged White
Original Hard
15 Years
Capital Guitars
Charlie Hughes
518-222-6099
Online Only
10:16 AM
We monitor email nearly 24/7. Should we be tardy in responding to your phone calls or voicemail, please shoot us an email at capitalguitars@gmail.com

Capital Guitars accepts payment via PayPal, credit cars via PayPal, wire transfer, or via bank check. Guitars ship only after payment clears. See something you wish to purchase? To pay via Paypal, just click the 'Buy Now' button, or send an email to capitalguitars@gmail.com indicating the guitar you wish to purchase, where you live (for calculating the shipping cost and NYS sales tax if applicable) and confirm the email address you use for Paypal. We will send you a Paypal invoice referencing the specific guitar being purchased. Just follow the prompts in the Paypal email to pay for your guitar. Once we receive your cleared payment we will contact you with tracking information and a paid invoice. That is all there is to it! Shipments to locations within the State of New York are subject to imposition of applicable New York Sales taxes. Trade proposals involving quality gear are welcomed! Email me a pic or two of your proposed trade and a brief description of its condition and we will let you know what we can allow you in trade. We also do LAYAWAYS! All layaways require a non-refundable up-front payment equal to 20% of the purchase price. Your deposit holds the guitar for you, with 60 days to pay the balance. Contact us via email for more details.

Shipping to Continental US addresses is via FedEx Ground, with flat rate shipping of $60 to Eastern time zones, $70 Central and $80 Mountain/Pacific. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is $100. A phone number at the shipping destination is required. ​ Other shipping services, including express services and international shipping are available at our discretion, just contact us for a quote.

Refunds of the original purchase price less shipping and a 10% restocking fee may be requested within 48 hours of delivery. Exchanges within one (1) week of the original date of purchase may be made for an item of equal or greater value at the discretion of Capital Guitars. Where permitted herein, items must be promptly returned at the buyer's expense, in the same condition as received with all accessories and paperwork included. Sale items, purchases that are made via layaway, those involving trades and/or international shipping are considered final except upon an error by and at the discretion of Capital Guitars. All deposits are non-returnable. Our apologies, but we are a very small operation and returns are extremely time consuming and costly.