Gretsch 1977 White Falcon 7593 Single Cut All Original w/ case Excellent

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

The White Falcon was introduced at the 1954 NAMM show as the most ambitious guitar Gretsch had ever conceived — a statement instrument designed to prove that Gretsch could outshine anything else on the market in appointments, aesthetics, and presence. The original 1955 White Falcon entered production as the single-cutaway model 6136, and the single-cutaway configuration was reintroduced in the early 1970s as model 7593 — the instrument that Billy Duffy would later make the visual and sonic signature of The Cult, and the specific model you are looking at here.

Billy Duffy burst out of London's early '80s post-punk scene in Theatre of Hate before meeting Ian Astbury and forming one of rock 'n' roll's most powerful and long-lasting duos — The Cult. His combination of thick power chords steeped in rich chorused delay, melodic Morricone-inspired lead phrases, and filthy feedback-laden solos created an unparalleled sound larger than most venues could contain. Every track on the iconic albums Love and Dreamtime featured his Gretsch White Falcon exclusively — and Duffy has made a point to include it on every subsequent album. When Gretsch released a Billy Duffy signature Falcon, they based it specifically on the '70s Baldwin-era 7593 specification — the same three-piece maple/walnut/maple neck, the same ebony fingerboard, the same Black Top Filter'Tron pickups — because that is the guitar Duffy actually plays. 

The White Falcon 7593 is a Baldwin-era instrument. Baldwin had difficulty understanding Gretsch's position in the market and moved production to Arkansas; Gretsch suffered through fires and declining quality through the 1970s, finally shutting down production in the early 1980s. Baldwin-era Falcons are evaluated on their individual merits rather than the brand's overall trajectory of the period, and this 1977 example presents in exceptional original condition — all hardware, electronics, wiring, and cosmetics intact. The 24-karat gold-plated Bigsby vibrato, gold Adjusto-Matic bridge on ebony base, gold pickguard, and gold sparkle body binding are all original. The Black Top Filter'Tron humbuckers read 4.36k neck and 4.38k bridge — closely matched, correctly specified, and original. The three-position mud switch is original and functional. Original wiring and solder joints throughout. 

I argue that the Baldwin era Gretsch guitars seem to have better neck sets and fret work than earlier models, making them more playable isntruments.  That is the case here.  The guitar plays effortlessly.

The Filter'Tron pickups, though humbucking in nature, sound quite significantly twangy compared to a Gibson PAF — the wide-spaced coils and specific Gretsch voicing produce the chimey, articulate character that is completely distinct from any other humbucker design, and that Duffy exploited to produce the specific White Falcon tone that defined The Cult's sound. The three-piece maple/walnut/maple neck at .803" at the first fret and .926" at the tenth plays comfortably on the 25.5" scale ebony fingerboard. At 10 lbs 0.5 oz this is a substantial instrument — consistent with the 1979 Baldwin-era example reviewed by Guitar.com at over 10 lbs. Action set at 2/32" on the treble string and 3/32" on the bass string at the twelfth fret. Original hang tag included. Original Gretsch hardshell case — painted white over black by a previous owner, otherwise in very good condition.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Color: white
• Finish Original?: yes
• Finish Condition: Excellent
• Weight: 10lbs 0.5oz
• Overall Length: 42-1/2"
• Nut Width: 1-11/16"
• String Spacing At Bridge: 1.985"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Action 1st String At 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Action 6th String At 12th Fret: 3/32"
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Material: 3-piece maple/walnut/maple
• Inlay: Mother of Pearl block
• Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: .803"
• Neck Thickness At 10th Fret: .926"
• Neck Condition: Excellent
• Neck Repairs: none
• Neck Finish Original?: yes
• Tuner Brand And Model: Grover closed gear
• Tuners Original?: yes
• Changes To Headstock For Tuners?: none
• Tuner Condition: Excellent
• Tuner Markings: Grover
• Tuner Screws Original?: yes
• Truss Rod Cover: yes
• Nut Material: bone
• Nut Repairs: none
• Fretboard Radius: 12"
• Fretboard Material: ebony
• Fretboard Condition: Excellent
• Fretboard Repairs: none
• Fret Condition: good
• Fret Repairs: none
• Fret Count: 22
• Body Material: laminated maple
• Body Condition: excellent
• Body Markings: none
• Body Repairs: none
• Body Binding: gold sparkle
• Body Binding Condition: very good
• Body Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: Excellent
• Body Length: 20-3/4"
• Lower Bout: 17"
• Waist: 10-1/8"
• Upper Bout: 12-1/4"
• Body Depth/Thickness: 3"
• Bridge Brand: Adjusto-Matic bridge on an ebony base
• Tremolo Or Fixed Bridge?: floating
• Bridge Original?: yes
• Tremolo Arm Original?: yes
• Bridge And Saddle Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Condition: excellent
• Saddle Material: metal
• Saddles Original?: yes
• Pickguard Color: gold
• Pickguard Original?: yes
• Pickguard Condition: Excellent
• Pickguard Screws Original?: yes
• Switch Brand: Gretsch
• Switch Type: 3 way, mud
• Switch Condition: excellent
• Switch Original?: yes
• Switch Tip Color: gold
• Switch Tip Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Brand: "Black Top" Filter'Tron humbucker
• Neck Pickup Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Reading: 4.36k
• Neck Pickup Condition: excellent
• Neck Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Cover Color: black top on gold
• Bridge Pickup Brand: "Black Top" Filter'Tron humbucker
• Bridge Pickup Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 4.38k
• Bridge Pickup Condition: excellent
• Bridge Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Cover Color: black top on gold
• Solders Original?: yes
• Wiring Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Count: 3
• Tailpiece Brand: Gretsch Bigsby vibrato
• Tailpiece Color: 24-karat gold-plated
• Tailpiece Condition: excellent
• Tailpiece Original?: yes
• Knob Color: silver
• Knob Count: 3
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: Excellent
• Case Brand: Gretsch
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: painted white over black, otherwise very good
• Documentation: original hang tag
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Smells?: None

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