Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt Gonzalo Madrigal G6134-CS 1959 Granadillo Penguin With Case

Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt G6134CS 1959 Granadillo Penguin

The Gretsch Custom Shop is where the time-honored legacy reaches its creative apex. No instruments epitomize the extraordinary expertise and attention to detail of Gretsch’s most trusted hands like Custom Shop instruments. From modern versions of legendary Gretsch instruments to artist tribute models and specially requested one-off guitars, the Gretsch Custom Shop takes “That Great Gretsch Sound” to an entirely new plane, but also preserves and perfects it.

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Gretsch, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every year, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Stephen Stern and his team of Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of Custom Shop guitars.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  Either way, they always knock it out of the park!

This G6134CS 1959 Penguin is a great example of this partnership.  We went to the Gretsch Custom Shop to put together a run of Penguins in various styles.  One we asked for was "a classic with high class".  The result was this Granadillo Penguin, built by Gonzalo Madrigal, which defines that perfectly - he absolutely nailed it.

In some ways, it will be familiar to any Gretsch fan.  However, where it really stands out is the wood used.  We asked for this to have a Granadillo top.  This is an exotic hardwood from Central American that has beautiful figuring.  It's provides a clear but dense articulation, with bell-like chimes.  This wood is typically only seen on acoustic guitars....rarely on an electric, let alone a Gretsch, and definitely not a Penguin.  In fact, we believe this is the only Granadillo Penguin every made.

The guitar has a chambered mahogany body, reducing the weight.  We chose the NOS finish package, to give it a "fresh off the line" look - there is no aging on this one.  We couldn't bring ourselves to add any wear to something as beautiful as this!  The neck is rock-solid Mahogany with a very comfortable C shape, topped off with ebony fretboard, a 9.5" radius, 6105 frets, and Mother of Pearl thumbnail engraved inlays.  

That, together with the Bigsby B3C vibrato and Ray Butts Full Fidelity pickups and the classic Gretsch wiring set up, gives you the legendary old-school Gretsch sound and feel, with a twist.   Stern suggested those pickups, as he feels that they are the most authentic sounding.  You get the full clarity and bite expected from Filtertons, and the treble bleed control allows you to ease up without losing highs.

While this Penguins feels and sounds amazing, it's the aesthetic that will grab your attention (and anyone that sees it) right away.  We worked with the to select a spread of premium Granadillo for the top, which is absolutely amazing. This type of look is rarely seen on a Penguin, which is exactly why we did it.  The gorgeous Tortoise Shell binding (on both the body and the neck) accents this perfectly, along with the aged Gold hardware.  

We love Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt instruments here, and are thrilled to have this one.  It truly is a special guitar, unlike other Penguins seen.  Come to Truetone Music to experience it in person, or make it yours right here.