can't find what i am looking for.

[epevets1]

Many years ago, in the 60s, when i was a teenager i bought a cheap guitar at a department store in rhode island called apex. i don't recall the name. it was a hollow body electric with f holes and cutaway. the body was about 4+thick. i thought it was pretty at the time - white with god trimmings. well when i brought it home my grandfather, who taught me to play, got angry, told me it was a cheap guitar, and insisted that i return it. so i did. of late, i have been looking cor a guitar that looked like that one, not necessarily cheap, but a good bargain. it is really all that is missing from my collection and i would like to have one. i've seen a couple of harmonys and kays that are close, but don't really look like what i am after. can anyone give me some advice or steer me in the right direction? thanks

[Joseph Hanna]

White Falcon. It ain't cheap by any account. Still one of the coolest guitars ever made.

[rmp]

look for a white Gretch Electromatic 5422TG

I believe this is something that is very close to what you're asking about

I have a Walnut Red one. had they offered white back when I got mine, I think bought a white one myself.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...nowcrest-white

[MissoulaFlood]

Originally Posted by rmp

look for a white Gretch Electromatic 5422TG

I believe this is something that is very close to what you're asking about

I have a Walnut Red one. had they offered white back when I got mine, I think bought a white one myself.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...nowcrest-white

I have the 5120 (single cutaway). Fabulous guitar for the price. Being a hallow body, it makes for a nice late night unplugged guitar.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by MissoulaFlood

I have the 5120 (single cutaway). Fabulous guitar for the price. Being a hallow body, it makes for a nice late night unplugged guitar.

I know right ? They are crazy good guitars for the money.

I did notice the Gretsch deluxe case has really shot up in price
I think I got mine for $159 when I got my MIK 5422TG (2018??)


they are now a hefty $249!

[fpuhan]

If you're just looking for a guitar to add to your collection and aren't concerned with playability, there are a number of white archtop guitars with gold hardware on eBay for between $250 - $400. They are all Chinese knock-offs, and every photo does not show the headstock (probably because they don't want you to know it's a cheap Chinese knock-off), but the rest of them look suitable to put on a display rack. I wouldn't approach actually trying to play one, though...

[Highroller]

I can't imagine how anybody could pick up a White Falcon and conclude that it was "cheap guitar"! It's always been the top of the line Gretsch, even when the company itself as a mess.

For that reason alone, I have my doubts about the original being a Falcon.

Did it have a picture of a Falcon on the pickguard? That's a pretty distinctive feature, you'd probably remember it. All Falcons had it, and still do! Unless somebody took off the pickguard, it would have been there.




Regardless and whatever, I'll agree the new Electromatics are a great deal for the money! Well worth checking out.

Good luck with the search!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by epevets1

...it was a hollow body electric with f-holes and cutaway. The body was about 4" thick. I thought it was pretty at the time - white with gold trimmings...Of late, i have been looking for a guitar that looked like that one, not necessarily cheap, but a good bargain...

Gretsch Electromatic G5422TG if you're on a budget - under $1K street, and with the right aftermarket parts it can be customized to look enough like a White Falcon to fool most of the pickers in the audience:



Here's the current $3500 Professional Series double-cut center-block version for comparison (or if you have the bucks and want to go all-out on a lifetime guitar):



- and if you're lucky enough to find one, the Gretsch G6136DC "1962 Tribute" White Falcon (a short-lived regular-production model produced circa 2010) ran around $3K last time I saw one for sale - a great deal for a flagship instrument since build quality is impeccable, there aren't too many around to begin with, and most players who prefer the original-style 17" body width (the above instruments are 16" like an ES-335) go for the single-cut '55 and '59 versions:

[rmp]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

If you're just looking for a guitar to add to your collection and aren't concerned with playability, there are a number of white archtop guitars with gold hardware on eBay for between $250 - $400. They are all Chinese knock-offs, and every photo does not show the headstock (probably because they don't want you to know it's a cheap Chinese knock-off), but the rest of them look suitable to put on a display rack. I wouldn't approach actually trying to play one, though...

maybe you should. they're not nearly as bad as you're implying.

[fpuhan]

Originally Posted by rmp

maybe you should. they're not nearly as bad as you're implying.

You're right, I'm convicting without evidence. I should know better. There are a lot of Chinese-made guitars that are quality instruments (Eastman, for example).

Unfortunately, in space no one can hear you scream, and on eBay, no one can hear you strum.

[printer2]

Say a thanks to your grandfather for steering you right...