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
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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.
How to Authenticate a 1955 Gretsch White Falcon
Gretsch serial numbers use a system where the first digits indicate month/year — verify against known Gretsch serial tables for 1955. Numbers are on the headstock back. DeArmond DynaSonic single-coil pickups are correct for this year — verify the distinctive chrome-topped units. Check binding condition carefully — Gretsch binding from this era is notorious for deterioration and shrinkage. Replacement binding is difficult to match correctly. Distinctive white finish with gold sparkle binding and gold-plated hardware. White nitro yellows to warm cream over decades. Gold hardware should show consistent aging. Falcon wing headstock inlay must be original. Verify all hardware (bridge, tailpiece, tuners, knobs, switches) matches documented specifications for 1955. Laminated maple body — tap test for correct hollow-body resonance. Original case with Gretsch logo adds provenance.