❌SOLD❌ Gretsch G6134B Black Penguin, 2009

Always tasteful, elegant and understated, the Gretsch G6134B Black Penguin is the top of the Gretsch line of chambered Jet models.

The first Gretsch Penguin models appeared in 1956 as an adaptation of the Duo Jet to the aesthetics of the unexpectedly successful White Falcon. Before it was discontinued in 1964, only a few dozen were built. There were no Black Penguins built.

For the 1954 NAMM show, Gretsch created a single White Falcon to demonstrate the skill of Gretsch builders, using a huge 17 inch wide body and as much brilliant white, gold and sparkle as they could fit. To their surprise, orders poured in, forcing the model onto the production line and into the catalog.

The Gretsch G6134B Black Penguin appeared in 2003, the year after Gretsch aligned with Fender to provide manufacturing, distribution and sales and new models appeared in celebration. Built until 2015, the G6134B Black Penguin is based on the 1958 White Penguin specifications, particularly the distinctive “Cadillac” tailpiece and DeArmond Dynasonic pickups – for these new models, those pickups were built by Seymour Duncan. DynaSonic wiring was also used, meaning a pickup selector, Master Volume, individual Volume controls for each pickup, and a Master Tone control.

The body – a shaped Maple cap on a chambered Mahogany back – is the single-cut Jet design. The neck is Maple, with an Ebony fingerboard and engraved Mother of Pearl ‘hump-block’ position markers. The finish is gloss black, accented by gold sparkle binding around the top and back of the body plus the fingerboard and headstock. The truss rod cover is matching gold sparkle plastic. All the hardware, including the Grover Imperial tuners with stair-step Deco buttons, Melita bridge, tailpiece, banjo-style arm rest, jewelled control knobs and strap pins, is gold plated.

This Gretsch G6134B Black Penguin dates to December of 2009 and was built by Terada at Nagoya, Japan. This is a wonderful piece in excellent, clean condition with light wear to the gold plating particularly to the arm rest – and that’s about it.  Fret wear is very light and would virtually disappear with a fret polish.

The original hard shell case is included.