Gretsch White Penguin

The White Penguins dating from the 50s and 60s are probably among the most sought-after solidbody guitars, with a total production estimated at less than fifty instruments in all. (see Ball’s manual of Gretsch Guitars, Schiffer Publishing, 2014). Other sources say around fifteen. Without being able to decide between the two numbers, it is certain that they are extremely rare and sought after. The model presented here is a conversion from a Duo Jet from the 1950s, which remains the best way to get closer to the original without putting a 6-figure price… We can see this clearly on the back of the head where the traces of the old tuners holes have reappeared. The aging of nitrocellulose varnish shows that this work dates back several decades. The guitar has an authentic 1950s White Penguin Gretsch label in the electronics cavity, leading us to believe that this is most likely a factory conversion. The quality of the sparkling binding and the details also seem to go in this direction. The period correct tailpiece too. The inlays on the block neck are only found on the 1955 and 56 duojets. We therefore believe that this conversion must have taken place between 1953 and 1956, without being able to be more precise.