Both Gibson and Gretsch have produced some of the most iconic guitars ever made. They’ve both helped to shape the rock genre and the careers of its biggest stars.
Both of the two brands have had an enormous influence on the music industry. With that being said, let’s take a quick look at Gibson’s ES-335 and Gretsch’s G6136TG White Falcon.
| Features: | Gibson ES-335, Sixties | Gretsch G6136TG Players Edition Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Price: | £2,899 ($3380) | £2,999 ($3498) |
| Inlay Design: | Pearloid dot | Side Dots |
| Pickup: | T-Type Lead | FT-67 Filter’Tron |
| Frets: | 22 | 22 |
Gibson ES-335
Gibson’s ES-335 has been known by more than one name over the last three decades, but it has to be one of Gibson’s most well-known reissues. First named as the ES-335 Dot, it was renamed the ES-335 Reissue in the ‘90s. This guitar is based on the technical specs of its 1960s predecessor. While guitars from the early ‘80s may command a higher asking price, this ES-335 Reissue is built from a semi-hollow maple body with a rosewood fingerboard, two humbuckers, and comes with the identifying dot inlays. Its popularity over the years has landed the ES-335 Reissue in the hands of many famous guitarists, such as Dave Grohl and Eric Clapton.
Build
Gibson’s ES-335 body has ‘Micky Mouse’ ears to go with the early style acrylic dot inlays and keystone tuner buttons. It has rosewood binding on its fretboard, which is a bit thicker than the vintage spec, and that thickness is more noticeable because there’s no rollover.
The ES-335’s impressive Vintage Burst finish comes from Gibson’s classic teardrop shape. Its outer layer of maple on the top is plain in appearance, while on the back there’s a subtle flame.
Performance
Gretsch G6136TG Players Edition Falcon
Gretsch’s G6136TG White Falcon is probably the best-looking — electric guitar models ever produced, certainly among hollow bodies. With its appearance of gold hardware, gorgeous white finish, and iconic “falcon” scratchplate, the “Cadillac of Guitars” has long left guitar players pining for it.
It’s not all about its good looks, as the guitar also plays beautifully, with a silky feel and wonderful playability, and a sound that you won’t hear from another guitar.
With the impressive list of influential players using the guitar including the likes of Joe Strummer of The Clash, Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Brian Setzer of The Stray Cats, Neil Young, and John Frusciante of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Gretsch’s G6136TG has become iconic and is firmly cemented into the history of popular music spanning many genres.
For many, the Gretsch’s G6136TG White Falcon is a dream instrument, but does it live up to its historic hype?
Build
The G6136TG White Falcon is a reissue that’s made in Japan, like many other Gretsch production models, and the overall construction quality and its finish is superb. Its nitrocellulose lacquer looks slightly aged, with a finish that will continue to age beautifully as the guitar gets played.
Most production model guitars nowadays are finished with polyurethane or polyester, strong, tough finishes that’s certainly made to last.
The guitar’s lacquer finish also gives it a great tonal quality allowing the top to vibrate and ring beautifully, not constrained by a thick poly finish. You can feel and hear this right away by simply playing the guitar unplugged – it already has a resonance and body to it even before being amplified, a testament to the guitar’s superb construction.
Performance
The G6136TG White Falcon has clean, tight middles and somewhat twangy highs, giving it a firm place in jazz and country settings too. The included TV pickups sound great and combined with Gretsch’s use of wood selection, give the guitar a truly unique sound that is almost impossible to replicate with other guitars.
The guitar’s pickups have a fairly low output, which may seem counter-intuitive for rock or for using overdriven applications. However, it gives a sound that maintains clarity and definition at high volumes. The pickups don’t make the guitar’s tone feel pushed too hard or forced and rather aids in feedback reduction.
This guitar is incredibly responsive to your playing — It growls when you want it to but holds back when needed as well. Both the neck and bridge pickup positions are crisp, clear, and gives lots of clarity and precision that’s hard to beat with other hollow bodies.
Whether your genre is mainly rock, jazz, or country, Gretsch’s G6136TG Falcon delivers, able to maintain an unobtrusive rhythm tone. While unleashing grit and power when needed to, with a growling overdriven tone that’s not in the least muddy. It does all of this while at the same time maintaining note clarity and accuracy all the way up the neck.
Although the guitar is slightly heavier than other hollow body models, it feels great in your hands, and its 12′ Radius ebony fingerboard feels silky smooth and fast, and comfortable to play. The long scale length makes setting up this guitar a breeze.
Conclusion
As the Gibson ES-335 reissue and Gretsch G6136TG White Falcon are quite similar, which one should you choose?
Gibson’s ES-335 is less prone to feedback compared to the White Falcon and has better upper fret access. The ES-335 control layout is more familiar and is more comfortable to play.
The Gretsch G6136TG probably has the better sound and look, and while it may seem more difficult, it’s somehow more fun to play.