1955 Gretsch White Falcon
The inaugural White Falcon — Gretsch's crown jewel. Introduced as a show guitar at NAMM 1955, it became the most visually extravagant production guitar ever made. Original first-year examples with DynaSonic pickups are extremely rare.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Maple (17-inch single-cutaway hollow body — the largest Gretsch) |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Ebony (gold sparkle binding) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | Floating metal bar bridge, Bigsby B6 or V-Cut tailpiece |
| Tuners | Grover Imperial (gold-plated) |
| Finish Options | White (lacquer) — the only finish, with gold sparkle binding and gold hardware |
| Est. Production | 50 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two DeArmond DynaSonic pickups (Filter'Trons would come in 1958). Gold-plated pickup covers.
What Changed in 1955
First year of the White Falcon — introduced at the 1955 NAMM show as a display guitar, put into production after dealer demand. The most visually spectacular guitar of its era: white lacquer, gold sparkle binding on every edge, gold hardware, falcon inlays, and 17-inch body.
Notable Examples
Neil Young's 'Old Black' is a modified White Falcon. Stephen Stills and Malcolm Young (AC/DC) also played White Falcons.
Collector's Notes
Very low first-year production. DynaSonic pickups (vs later Filter'Trons) are the identifier. Gold-plated hardware should show appropriate aging — gold plate can wear through to nickel. White finish yellows to cream with age — original vs refinished is critical.