Gretsch Falcon roundup
Gretsch Falcon: A Complete Buyer's Guide
An honest buying guide to the Falcon range — no sales patter, just what actually matters before you spend the money.
Right, let's keep this honest. Buying a Gretsch Falcon is a proper investment, and the range spans several genuinely different instruments hiding under one striking name. Here's how I'd actually work through the decision, without the sales patter.
First: Match the Model to Your Actual Use
| You want | Look at |
|---|---|
| A modern all-rounder with contemporary hardware | Professional Collection |
| A performance-focused version with updated bracing | Players Edition |
| Period-correct construction and vintage character | Vintage Select '55 |
| A specific artist's pickup and finish choices | A signature model |
| The look on a tighter budget | Synchromatic |
Don't buy on the name alone. Two guitars can both be called a Falcon and differ meaningfully in body depth, top material, bracing and pickups — always check the exact specification sheet, not just the model family.
What to Physically Check Before You Buy
- Neck relief and fret condition — sight down the neck, check for high frets or uneven wear
- Bigsby return-to-pitch behaviour — bend the arm and let go; it should settle back in tune, not wander
- Nut slot friction — a big factor in whether the Bigsby actually holds tuning day to day
- Bridge position and intonation — check notes stay in tune up the neck, not just open
- Pickup height and balance — both Filter'Trons should sound roughly matched in output
- Unwanted acoustic rattles — tap the body and listen; hollow guitars reveal loose hardware fast
- Feedback at your actual playing volume — test it loud if you can, not just at bedroom level
Laminated Maple or Solid Spruce?
This is the single biggest construction split in the range. Most Professional and Players Edition models use a laminated maple body, which tends to resist feedback better and gives a controlled, articulate response. The Vintage Select '55 uses a solid spruce top instead, with a deeper body and period-oriented bracing — a genuinely different-sounding instrument, not just a cosmetic variant. Neither is "better"; it depends whether you want modern predictability or vintage character.
Filter'Tron or TV Jones?
Modern Professional and Players Edition models generally carry Gretsch's own Filter'Tron-style pickups. Historically styled models, including the Vintage Select, swap in TV Jones units for a more period-accurate voice. If you've never played either, this is worth testing in person rather than guessing from spec sheets — the difference in attack and output is real but genuinely subjective.
New or Secondhand?
A secondhand Gretsch Falcon can be excellent value, provided you actually inspect it rather than trust photos. Gold hardware shows wear fastest — check plating on the tailpiece and tuners specifically, since replacement parts for older or discontinued finishes aren't always straightforward to source. Binding damage and finish checking are cosmetic concerns on a laminated body but can affect resale value more than playability, so weigh that against how much you actually care about pristine looks.
Don't Skip the Case Question
A guitar this size needs a proper 17-inch deluxe hollow-body case, not a generic hard case that happens to be roughly the right shape. Confirm what's actually included, and factor the cost in if it isn't — this is not an instrument you want rattling around in an ill-fitting case on the way to a gig.
Setup Costs to Budget For
Factory string gauge on several current models is .011–.049, and changing gauge shifts tension, relief and Bigsby response enough that a proper setup is worth budgeting for either way. If you're buying secondhand, assume a setup cost on top of the purchase price rather than treating it as optional.
Questions Worth Asking the Seller
- Is this laminated maple or solid top, and what's the exact body depth?
- Filter'Tron or TV Jones pickups — and which specific version?
- Does it include the correct hard case, and is it in good condition?
- Has the Bigsby ever been restrung or serviced, and by whom?
What "Value" Actually Means Here
Don't measure a Gretsch Falcon purely against cheaper hollow-body guitars on spec sheets alone. You're paying partly for the Filter'Tron voicing, the build quality behind the Bigsby integration, and — yes — a genuinely striking instrument that holds its value well if you ever sell it on. That's a legitimate part of the calculation, not just marketing.
The Bottom Line
Buying a Gretsch Falcon sensibly means matching the specific model to your actual playing style, not the striking looks alone. Get the construction and pickup choice right and the rest follows.
Next Steps
For the full picture of what defines the range, read our complete explainer. Working to a tighter budget? See the best options for the money, and if this is your first hollow-body guitar, the beginner's guide is a gentler place to start. It's also worth reading common mistakes to avoid before you commit.
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