Rare Birds

THE GRETSCH WHITE FALCON was conceived as a one-off showpiece demonstration guitar, one that would grab people’s attention and draw them in with as much bling and over-the-top craftsmanship as Gretsch’s Brooklyn factory could muster. Unveiled at the NAMM show in July 1954, the guitar created such a flap that Gretsch hatched a plan for the guitar to become a fully fledged member of its electric guitar line. The following year, the White Falcon debuted at the top of Gretsch’s pecking order as its most expensive instrument, retailing at $600, roughly $5,750 today. Much like Gibson’s flagship Super 400CES, introduced in 1951, the White Falcon was established as Gretsch’s crowning glory, and to this day it remains the superlative guitar for many.

“It was my ultimate dream guitar,” says the anonymous British collector who owns the 1950s single-cut Gretsches pictured here. “The first time I saw a White Falcon was onstage with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Wembley Stadium in 1974. Neil Young and Stephen Stills played them a lot over the years. I used to look at the photographs when I was young and think, Wow! It was