Guitar dealer · since 2018
1 / 2
Gretsch Masterbuilt 1959 Penguin Relic Cadillac Green by Stephen Stern (Private Stock)
1959 White Penguin specs in Cadillac Green Relic · TV Jones Filter'Tron humbuckers · Gretsch by Bigsby · new Schwarz St. Helens custom bridge
| Model | Gretsch Custom Shop 1959 White Penguin Relic, Cadillac Green |
|---|---|
| Masterbuilder | Stephen Stern |
| Year | 2011 (ordered in February 2010) |
| Finish | Cadillac Green, Relic |
| Body | Chambered mahogany body, single cutaway, arched laminated maple top |
| Neck | Mahogany, one-piece, fat C profile |
| Fingerboard | Ebony, mother-of-pearl half-moon inlays |
| Nut | Bone, 1 11/16" (approx. 42.9 mm) |
| Frets | Vintage |
| Pickups | 2× TV Jones Filter'Tron |
| Electronics | Master volume, neck volume, bridge volume, pickup selector, tone switch |
| Bridge | Schwarz St. Helens custom, made and fitted by Gerhard Schwarz |
| Vibrato | Gretsch by Bigsby |
| Tuners | Grover Imperial, gold-plated |
| Hardware | Gold |
| Pickguard | Gold, with engraved penguin |
| Headstock | Vertical Gretsch logo |
| History | Bridge replaced with a Schwarz St. Helens custom bridge by Gerhard Schwarz |
| Included | Original Gretsch hardshell case · certificate of authenticity |
| Please note | More photos and details to follow |
Gretsch Custom Shop Masterbuilt 1959 Penguin Relic in Cadillac Green, built by Masterbuilder Stephen Stern, with a new Schwarz St. Helens custom bridge – from Ede's Private Stock.
The White Penguin of the 50s is one of the rarest and most sought-after guitars Gretsch ever built. Ours was built in the Gretsch Custom Shop in the USA by Masterbuilder Stephen Stern to 1959 White Penguin specs – not in white, though, but in Cadillac Green with a relic finish. It was ordered in February 2010 and completed in 2011.
The chambered mahogany body carries an arched laminated maple top. The one-piece mahogany neck has a substantial fat C profile, with an ebony fingerboard, mother-of-pearl half-moon inlays, a bone nut at 1 11/16" (approx. 42.9 mm) and vintage frets.
The tone comes from two TV Jones Filter'Tron humbuckers with the classic Gretsch wiring: master volume, separate volume controls for neck and bridge, a pickup selector and a tone switch. The hardware is gold throughout: Grover Imperial tuners, the Gretsch by Bigsby vibrato and the gold pickguard with its engraved penguin. The headstock carries the vertical Gretsch logo.
Ede sent the Penguin to Gerhard Schwarz (Schwarz Custom Guitars) to have him make and fit a new Schwarz St. Helens custom bridge. Since then, intonation, playability and tone have all improved noticeably once again.
The original Gretsch hardshell case and the certificate of authenticity are included.
In the photo, the Cadillac Green Penguin is on the left. More photos and details to follow.
A Masterbuilt Penguin by Stephen Stern in Cadillac Green Relic, from Ede's Private Stock.