Gretsch 6134 White Penguin

I bought this Penguin as new from a dealer aprox. 4 months ago. This beauty is equipped with Dynasonic pickups to maximize the "Gretsch sound". The gold 24kt. plating, the gorgeous binding, the Cadillac tailpiece, it all adds up to create the most beautiful guitar in non-custom production.

The Penguin sound kicks *** against even the mighty Fender Telecaster, my second-favorite axe. I play it through a Line 6 Duoverb, but have driven it with a Marshall tube amp. Either way, it truly is what I thought this expensive Gretsch would sound like.

I received the guitar as "set up", but decided to have a local luthier fine tune it for me. The only minor complaint is that I am getting a bit of a string buzz on the bigger strings when strumming them hard, though the bridge is at it's maximum height. Minor.

Haven't had it for more than 4 months, so durability is unknown. It appears to be very well built, and truely reliable.

Our local Gretsch rep is unreliable, with replacement pickups for my other Gretsch being over-promised and severely under-delivered. Five months, and still no filtertron high-sensitives.

As previously mentioned, I also own another Gretsch, the 5120. It sounds great, but the White Penguin has no comparable replacement.

This is an updated review. A guitar this expensive should not have had a bow in the neck. I blame Guitar Center. They should have adjusted it.

The Dynasonic pickups do not sound like DeArmonds. They don't sound bad, mind you, but they are more into Gibson territory than Gretsch. I think sometimes Fred Gretsch thought too much. They are like low-powered PAFs. They have sustain, but this is not what I buy a Gretsch for.

The DeArmond 2K pickups on the DeArmond guitars sound more Gretsch-like than the Dynasonic pickups found on Gretsch reissues costing up to 7 times more! If you want a Gretsch that sounds like a Gretsch, buy an old one or buy a model with TV Jones pickups. They're awesome! I wish TV Jones made DeArmonds. He'd get it right!

Not sure what year it was made. Two Dynasonic pickups (single coil). RWRP would have been nice to get a humbucking sound in the middle position. Lots of gold plate on this guitar. It's a thing of beauty. They should put one in the Smithsonian. Cadillac tailpiece, sweet! Master volume and master tone knobs, two individual volumes. Generic Gretsch case. Come on guys! A guitar as lush as this should have a luxurious home. "Jeweled" knobs. It's the Liberace of Duo Jets. Grover Imperial tuners, nice! It's an eyecatcher, like a late '50s Vette. I love the thumb wheels on the bridge. So easy to adjust the action! Gold sparkle binding on the body, neck, and headstock, humpback inlays on the fretboard. This guit would not look out of place in Versailles. It's so pretty I want to play it in church!

Inhabits the territory between a Tele and a Firebird. Trebly but not as twangy as a Tele. Lots of bottom like P90s, but not as much bite. Has the Duane Eddy sound down. Surprisingly, my DeArmond M75T sounds closer to the Cliff Gallup sound than this one, but that has RWRP (humbucking) in the middle position. (I thought his Duo Jet had De Armonds) Lots of country and rockabilly tones. You can play jazz on it, but the neck is brighter than what is usually associated with jazz. Great for instrumental/surf rock. With a high gain amp will give you trebly distortion. Not the guitar for doom/stoner music.

I bought it used so I can't attest to the original setup. The action was a little high and there is a slight bow in the neck. The eggshell white finish is flawless. I need to get the proper outfit to wear with this guitar, like a Nudie suit with lots of rhinestones.

Will this guitar survive gigs without getting ripped off? The strap buttons are really knobs that screw into the body. You would have to strip the threads for the strap to come off. You don't want to drink, smoke, cuss, or even fart around this elegant lady. She makes you want to comb your hair, dress better and play better. Or she could push you over the edge, into wearing powdered wigs, entertaining a tapeworm, and acting like a French poof. Suitable backup guitars would be a Gretsch Sparkle Jet, a White Falcon, or a Les Paul Goldtop.

I dealt with Gretsch indirectly in the '90s inre to a Double Anniversary project guitar. With enough phone calls, they got me what I needed. If I needed parts, I would contact Duke Kramer of D&F Products. He worked for Gretsch for 50 years. He's got to be at least 85 years old and still answers the phone. I haven't dealt with Gretsch since they sold out to Fender.

I believe I now have 17 guitars -- Fenders, Gibsons, Gretsches and Guilds. It's time to open a store. If it were stolen, I would brain the thief with my Hohner XII. It's cheap, I never play it, and it's quite heavy due to its dual truss rods. The White Penguin chose me. It is a literal rare bird. I had to add it to my collection. Would I buy another one? No, I would probably get some fancy amp like a Tone King or a Marshall Offset with the same money. The White Penguin is like that beautiful girl who steals your heart and you are willing to change your life so you can fit in with hers. I don't want to neglect it and it's taking my playing into new directions.

The White Falcon's little brother. Here are specs from Gretsch
BACK AND SIDES Semi-Hollow Mahogany Body, 13.25" Wide, 1.75" Deep
NECK 1-Piece Mahogany
PICKUPS 2 DynaSonicTM Single-Coil Pickups
PICKUP SWITCHING 3-Position Toggle:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
CONTROLS Volume 1. (Neck Pickup),
Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup),
Master Volume,
Master Tone
WIDTH AT NUT 1-11/16" (43mm)
FRETBOARD Ebony, 12" Radius (305mm)
BRIDGE Ebony-Based Space-Control Roller-Bridge
TAILPIECE Gretsch "G" Cadillac Tailpiece
HARDWARE Gold-Plated
FINISH Gloss Urethane
CASE Includes G6238 Deluxe Hardshell Case, US MSRP $220.00
NO. OF FRETS 22
MACHINE HEADS Grover? ImperialTM Gold-Plated Die-cast Tuners
UNIQUE FEATURES Hump Block Inlay Position Markers with Feather Motif,
Gold Sparkle Bound Fingerboard and Headstock,
Multiple Body Binding with Gold Sparkles,
Inlaid Winged Gretsch Logo on Headstock,
Gold Plexi Pickguard with Penguin Motif,
Rhinestone and White Dot Inlays on Control Knobs,
Gold Sparkle Truss Rod Cover,
Knurled Strap Retainer Knobs,
Adjustable Truss Rod

The "dynasonic" pickups - based on 1956 DeArmonds sound astonishingly clear and emit what is to me a quintessential "rock" sound. It sounds so good I can't believe it! I use it with a Fender Cyber Deluxe amp. My style is to play anything that sounds good to me - I like it all (except selected rap songs and that's only because the melody is missing). I can't slot myself well because I play songs that cross genres so often (ex. Travelin' Man to Comfortably Numb to I Shot the Sheriff)

Everything was set up well from the factory ...but I have been having some trouble keeping it in tune. I restrung it the "proper" way - with the string end clamped around the post - in hopes that would help...and it did,,,but it still isn't rock solid. I'm wondering if my hand resting on the "floating" bridge is slightly dislodging it. Not sure - but if it is not resolved in the next two weeks I'm going to have it looked at. No flaws in finish - it is simply BEAUTIFUL!
The only thing I can say about "fit" is Gretsch (Fender)distributes a Duo-Jet case with this guitar - which is unacceptable to me because the head on the Penguin is oversized. You have to "stuff" it into the case. Not good in my opinion but doesn't take away from the guitar itself.

It's built like a rock and the hardware is substantial. I never have liked Gretsch's strap connectors but they seem solid enough. I've only had it two weeks so don't know about dependability...but hey - it's a Gretsch! I always take a backup but have no doubt I could do fine with this guitar only

Can't answer this one very well other than to reiterate my distress over getting a standard Duo Jet case with a guitar that barely fits it. (Cost cutting - and a bit annoying)

Playing 30 years - own many Stratocasters, a Telecaster, Les Paul, ES-335, Guild X16 Rockabilly, PRS Standard (1987), Gretsch Setzer Hot Rod,Danelectro Convertible, Rickenbacker 330-12, Schecter S-1 Elite, Carvin AE-185 and some acoustics. This is the "showpiece" of them all - it is adorned extravagantly, dressed in a tux...yet kicks serious booty! They are so expensive I'm not sure if I could get another but I would LIKE to if stolen.
There's nothing I don't like about this instrument - just wish I could solve a minor tuning issue.
If you can't afford a 6134 - a Duo Jet might be a possibility - they're very similar - just not adorned. In any event - there really is something to the moniker "That Great Gretsch Sound" it's so true!