Firebirds came stock with a solid G-logo tailpiece, although Bigsby vibratos were often added.
It also has a personal connection. A guitarist in the band I toured with in the 1980s played a Jet Firebird from this batch extensively, but later sold it. At a decades-on reunion, it was sorely missed, leading me to obtain this one to provide the same “Great Gretsch Sound,” as the company’s ads trumpeted, and style.
Gretsch’s so-called “Jet Stream” models have been one of the company’s enduring creations. Spurred by Gibson’s 1952 Les Paul, Gretsch replied with a guitar of similar size and layout, but different construction. The single-cutaway Jets appeared in late 1953. Designated as solidbodies in the catalog, they were actually semi-solid, built on a mahogany body hollowed out from above and capped with an arched plywood top. This reduced weight and gave them a different sound and feel.
“Designated as solidbodies in the catalog, they were actually semi-solid, built on a mahogany body hollowed out from above and capped with an arched plywood top.”
By 1955, Gretsch fielded a line of Jets: the black-topped Duo Jet and Western-themed Round-Up were followed by the sparkle-top Silver Jet, the red-over-black Jet Firebird and Western orange 6121 Chet Atkins solidbody. Several sold well through the ’50s, but by the turn of the decade, sales seemed to slump, as with the Les Pauls that inspired them. In 1960–’61, Gibson redesigned the Les Paul into a slim-sculpted double-cutaway. In late ’61, Gretsch restyled the Jet body into a symmetrical double-cutaway, retaining the semi-solid construction while persisting in calling them solidbodies. The new catalog announced: “Out of this world.... Find yourself soaring through musical space and time … the epitome of solidbody construction.” The revised Jet Firebird listed at $325, soon raised to $350. The actual transition occurs in a batch bearing serial numbers in the 420XX series. At the time, Gretsch numbering usually allotted 100 pre-numbered labels to a production-year model, with all Jets lumped into one batch. The label is inside the control cavity; the serial number is also hand-etched onto the back plastic cavity cover.
Jets from 1961 retain the main features of their late-1950s predecessors: twin Filter’Tron humbucking pickups, master volume on the lower cutaway, individual pickup volumes on the lower quarter with the pickup selector and tone switch (aka “mud” switch) on the upper, bass side. The Jet’s evolution happened rapidly, moving through three stages over this one batch. The first 30 to 40 420XX examples are still single-cutaways. By 42043, the double-cut body appears, showing a notable eccentricity: the pickup selection and tone switches arrayed across the upper body in a straight line above the pickups, to the rear of the prior position. Unfortunately, this meant players could easily hit them while picking, inadvertently changing tones in mid song!
Note the chips in the headstock wood—signs of an earlier alteration of the tuning pegs, now restored to vintage spec.
Photo by George Aslaender
Shortly after this Jet Firebird bearing the number 42057 was made, the switch array was moved forward to the upper horn, mounted at an angle. This change appears by 42064, suggesting only around 20 to 30 of these first-style double-cuts exist. Known examples are mostly Duo Jets, with a few Jet Firebirds and a couple of rare Sparkle Jets. These also lack the 1961–’62 standby switch fitted on the lower bout. All came stock with a solid G-logo tailpiece, although Bigsby vibratos were often added. The next Jet batch introduced the top-mounted Burns of London vibrato unit as a stock fitting and an upgrade to gold hardware. While the double-cut body gave the Jets a new, modern look, it apparently did not improve sales. The balance suffered from the upper strap button moving back several inches, but otherwise they felt and sounded pretty much like their predecessors. This model is most associated with AC/DC’s Malcom Young, who powered the band with one right from the beginning, with that particular guitar heavily altered along the way.
The company’s Filter’Tron pickups have always had their own distinctive bark.
Photo by George Aslaender
This 1961 Jet Firebird survives in more original condition. The bridge and tuners previously went missing but have been restored to original. A driver’s license number is etched on the back of the headstock, and chips on the peghead face remain from the tuner alteration. A strap button was added to the heel, giving a better balance point. The playability is excellent and the Filter’Trons offer the classic ring and crunch, accentuated by the chambered body. The neck is slim and round-backed, with a bound-ebony fretboard inlaid in the company “neoclassic” pattern, retaining the original frets. Not being a heavy-handed strummer, the eccentric switch location has never bothered me. While in the early 1960s these pseudo-solidbodies seemed to fade from popularity, for me, this early example of Gretsch “jetting” its way into the 1960s remains a solid favorite.
This launch comes hot off the heels of Peck’s latest album, Stampede: Vol. 1, a collection of duets with the likes of Elton John and Willie Nelson, which was released earlier this month.
Orville Peck burst onto the scene in 2019 with his acclaimed debut album Pony; a record which combined the lulling ambiance of shoegaze with the iconic melodies and vocal prowess of classic American outlaw country music. Since then, Peck has released three more celebrated records - the 2020 EP Show Pony, 2022’s Bronco and the aforementioned Stampede: Vol. 1 - won a host of accolades, and collaborated with the likes of Shania Twain, Lady Gaga and Diplo amongst others.
Orville Peck Unveils His Limited Edition Signature Falcon | Gretsch Guitars
“It’s been a pleasure working with Gretsch on my signature guitar, and I’m super proud of it,” said Orville Peck. “The white Falcon is such a versatile, beautiful guitar, so we wanted to stay true to the original and keep the classic feel, whilst adding some pizzazz. I think whoever picks up the guitar will be able to show a little bit of themselves through it.”
Gretsch Limited-edition Orville Peck Signature Falcon Hollowbody Electric Guitar - Oro Sparkle
The Limited Edition Orville Peck Falcon captures true iconoclast spirit with mid-century swagger. It features a comfortable 2.5"-deep maple body with the innovative Gretsch "ML" bracing that delivers huge hollow body sound with exceptional clarity and acoustic nuance. A 12"-radius streaked ebony fingerboard with rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets tops a 25.5"-scale maple neck with a comfortably familiar standard "U"-shaped profile for fluidly easy playing, while Luminlay side dots offer precision fretting in low-light settings. The Limited Edition Orville Peck Falcon is powered by the all-new FT-67 Filter'Tron humbucking pickups, which were designed to capture authentic vintage Gretsch voicing but with a more well-rounded tone for modern playing styles. This powerful pair of pickups provide open and pristine top-end chime, glassy midrange, robust low end, and balanced harmonics for tone that blends seamlessly with other instruments.The guitar features the Bigsby B6GP String-Thru vibrato tailpiece, making it quicker (and easier) to change strings, as well as providing increased vibration transfer for enhanced sustain. Elsewhere, it features exclusive western-themed artwork by Judith Rothman Pierce of RoseCut Clothing on the gold plexi pickguard and aged pearloid Humpblock fingerboard inlays, adding a distinctive style and vibe that manages to be both fresh and classic at the same time.
For more information, please visit gretschguitars.com.
boygenius
“I wish this had been my first guitar,” said boygenius.
With Vintage-style Gretsch Bezels and Pickguard, along with Electromatic Filter’TronTM Pickups this signature instrument provides classic design with modern flourish—all at an accessible price point. When conceptualizing this instrument, boygenius wanted to put an emphasis on accessibility. The trio go out of their way to put the fans at the center of their universe and this signature Broadkaster is no exception. This guitar is specially designed for beginners and seasoned pros alike ensuring that players of all backgrounds have the opportunity to harness boygenius’ unique sonic palette to help navigate their own musical journey. The band’s signature Broadkaster Jr. model includes Electromatic Filter’TronTM pickups, vintage-style Trapeze Tailpiece, custom boygenius Fingerboard Inlays, Nickel Head Badge with boygenius signatures, and of course, a boygenius logo on the back of the headstock.
boygenius' Gretsch Broadkaster Jr.
Features
- Electromatic Filter’Tron Pickups
- Vintage-style Gretsch trapeze tailpiece
- Custom boygenius fingerboard inlays & a nickel head badge adorned with boygenius signatures and logo.
- boygenius opted for stylistic choices such as a smaller body shape with no bigsby and full-size filtertron pickups, and making it black to fit their aesthetic.
- An accessible price point of $699.99, it is an ideal choice for aspiring artists, ensuring all fans have the opportunity to craft the signature sounds that define boygenius’s style.
Introducing the Gretsch Limited Edition boygenius Broadkaster Jr. | Gretsch Guitars
When booked for a triple-bill tour in late 2018, the three solo artists decided to record a joint 7" single to sell on the merch table. The 7” became 2018’s self-titled six-song EP. After the EP’s breakout success it became clear that Baker, Bridgers and Dacus had created something far more potent than they had anticipated. Praised for their haunting lyrics, soaring harmonies, and the seamless alchemy between each member’s unique musical sensibilities, boygenius have pioneered a singular approach to crafting emotionally driven songs which has carved them a vital space amongst the pantheon of modern-day music. On the heels of the record’s success, boygenius released the rest, which includes four new songs.
Fans worldwide can purchase the Gretsch Limited Edition boygenius Broadkaster Jr. through the band's merch store at https://boygenius.store/. To learn more and view product descriptions, click here. Product photos and images of the Gretsch Limited Edition boygenius Broadkaster Jr. can be found here.
For technical specs, additional information on new Gretsch products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.gretschguitars.com.