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Description

The Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt is an exceptional piece of craftsmanship that seamlessly fuses classic design with modern performance. This solid body electric guitar stands out with its distinctive aesthetics and meticulous attention to detail, making it a prized possession for any musician. Built by the master luthiers at Gretsch, it offers an unparalleled playing experience that resonates with the rich heritage of the brand.

Equipped with TV Jones® Classic pickups, the White Penguin Masterbuilt delivers a powerful vintage tone that captures the essence of rock 'n' roll. Its chambered mahogany body with a maple top not only contributes to its stunning visual appeal but also enhances sustain and resonance. The ebony fingerboard adds a smooth touch, allowing for effortless playability across its 22 medium jumbo frets.

The guitar features a synchronous tremolo system, providing excellent tuning stability and expressive vibrato effects. With its gold sparkle binding and intricate inlays, the White Penguin Masterbuilt is as much a work of art as it is a musical instrument. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, this guitar will inspire you to explore new musical territories.

Key Features:

  • TV Jones® Classic pickups for vintage tone
  • Chambered mahogany body with maple top
  • Ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets
  • Synchronous tremolo system for stable tuning and vibrato
  • Gold sparkle binding and intricate inlays
  • Masterbuilt craftsmanship for exceptional quality
Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Gretsch G6134TCS '62 White Penguin Masterbuilt by Stephen Stern 2013 | CME Quick Riff | Pete Jonas

Video thumbnail for Gretsch G6134TCS '62 White Penguin Masterbuilt by Stephen Stern 2013 | CME Quick Riff | Pete Jonas by Chicago Music Exchange

Gretsch G6134TCS '62 White Penguin Masterbuilt by Stephen Stern 2013 | CME Quick Riff | Pete Jonas

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt.

Build quality

  • Owners note the Penguin's substantial weight at 8+ lbs, making it potentially challenging for extended stage play.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock Filtertrons for TV Jones Powertron Plus pickups is recommended for a grittier tone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Penguin is preferred over the Electromatic due to superior touch points and reliability; Electromatic’s power button fell off during initial use.

    Source

User experience

  • A rare choice, the Koa version of the Penguin is highly coveted, with some models priced between $5-15k.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Gretsch "solid" bodies are chambered, contributing to their distinctive sound compared to other brands.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Despite being heavy, the Penguin is praised for versatility across genres like grunge, alt-rock, blues, and country.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Scott Holiday uses Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt

Scott Holiday

Guitarist

Rival Sons

...
Verified via Guitar-muse

Scott holiday said in an interview: "I used a good portion of my live rig in the studio but there were some specific pieces that we used on the record that I don’t use live. It was because our producer (Dave Cobb) owned it and it was great stuff. Just before we came into the studio he came in with a Gretsch Masterbuilt White Penguin. It was aged from the custom shop and I used that all over the record. It’s a wonderful guitar."

See how Brian Fallon uses Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt

Brian Fallon

Singer, Guitarist

The Gaslight Anthem

...
Verified via YouTube

March 2016 - Brian Fallon and the Crowes Tour - Brian can be seen holding a Gretsch White Penguin on stage.

M

Max Helyer

Singer, Guitarist

You Me At Six

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In a rig tour featured on MusicRadar, authored by Matt Parker, Max Helyer confirms using a Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt, stating,

I really like it because it's got a very heavy tone and I like the hollow sound floating around the chamber.

See how Micky James uses Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt

Micky James

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0:11 Micky James can be seen playing a Gretch Penguin Master built

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gretsch White Penguin Masterbuilt, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Audio Kitchen 2x12" Guitar Cabinet
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1
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal/Switch
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal/Switch Volume Effects Pedals
1

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