Recently I had a chat with Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus about his killer new Gretsch signature model for Mixdown magazine.
Here’s a little excerpt where Fortus talks about the decision to offer different scale lengths on the Bigsby and Stop Tail versions in order to maximise the design for each type:
“Originally the prototypes had Bigsby B7s on them with the tension bar and it just wasn’t working for me. There are so many subtleties in the gentle modulation I do with the bar all the time. It’s such a big part of what I do, and I couldn’t get it with the B7. Finally I think it was John who said, ‘why don’t we just change the neck angle to accommodate the Bigsby you like?’ So that’s what we did. So it’s on the white ones, it’s a different neck angle as well as a longer scale, which also makes it a bit more ‘attacky.’ There’s just a thing that happens with the additional scale, like makes it a bit snappier. But I also wanted one too for if I’m doing a lot of string bends and fast lines, so that’s when I go for the stop-tail one.”
Read the full interview here. Richard is really fun to interview because the guy’s a massive guitar-geek like us.
And here’s the press release from November when the guitar line was announced:
GRETSCH® PARTNERS WITH GUNS N’ ROSES GUITARIST TO INTRODUCE THE RICHARD FORTUS SIGNATURE FALCON™ CENTER BLOCK GUITARS
New Signature Models Feature Custom-Wound Richard Fortus Filter’Tron Pickups, Custom Controls and Chambered Spruce Center Block, All Unmistakably Gretsch
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (November 9, 2021) — Gretsch® today announced the launch of Richard Fortus Signature FalconTM Center Block guitars, marking the Grammy-nominated guitarist’s first collaboration with the legendary musical instrument brand. Gretsch has a long-standing history with Falcon guitars dating back over half a century. Recognized for their big, powerful dynamic sound, the Falcons were a mainstay among guitarists during the height of the Rock ‘N Roll era. The brand remains a favorite to play and record with among elite guitar players everywhere and now, Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Richard Fortus has been selected to create his own signature line. Two signature models were created for well-versed and experienced players seeking a guitar that presents a comfortable fit with versatile applications.
Richard Fortus is one of the most respected guitarists in the world. With a multitude of projects over the years headlined by a nearly two-decade stint with rock powerhouse Guns N’ Roses, Fortus’ chameleon-like ability to seamlessly add his own fretwork flair to the varied likes of pop superstars Rihanna and Enrique Iglesias, new wave luminaries The Psychedelic Furs and ultimately, Guns N’ Roses, lends credence to his wide-ranging talents and exacting tastes. Throughout his storied career, Fortus has been known to play Gretsch guitars. He has an eye and an ear for what a signature model might look like.
“Gretsch has always been such an integral part of rock n’ roll tone. From Malcolm to Harrison, Neil Young to Billy Duffy. It’s such an honor and lifelong dream to have my name associated with it,” said Richard Fortus. “I wanted something that I could play all night for rhythm and lead. With their classic Gretsch chime, along with their super thick and tight low end, these Falcons are built to be all-around versatile guitars for all types of players.”
“Richard is a player’s player, full stop. His stylistic vocabulary is surpassed only by his ability to fuse unbelievable talent with exceptional tone” said Jason Barnes, VP Category Management- Gretsch. “As expected with a musician of Richard’s caliber, he played an active role in every development step and was painstakingly detailed with each spec. With the 17” body and chambered center block combined with his custom-voiced pickups this Falcon is a real powerhouse. We could not be happier with the results.”
The Richard Fortus Signature FalconTM Center Block models are designed in conjunction with Gretsch’s world class design and production teams to capture the iconic artist’s signature sounds. Watch Fortus dive into his influences and the inspiration behind many of the key features of his namesake Falcons in this video.
Product photos and images of Richard Fortus with his signature Gretsch Falcon guitars can be found here.
For technical specs, additional information on new Gretsch products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.gretschguitars.com. Join the conversation on Twitter by following @GretschUSA and on Instagram by following @OfficialGretsch.
G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon™ Center Block with String-Thru Bigsby® ($3,599.99 USD, £3,199.00, €3,549.00, $6,199 AUD, ¥ 528,000 JPY) The G6636T-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon™ Center Block with String-Thru Bigsby® comes in a stunning Vintage White finish and is decked out with nickel hardware including the jeweled G-arrow knobs, pearloid Neo-Classic™ thumbnail inlays and tortoise headstock logo, binding, bezels and pickguard. Offering a 25.5” scale length, it also features a string-thru Bigsby® B6CP and a TonePros® Tune-o-matic bridge with roller saddles and pinned ebony base to offer stability, lightning-fast string changes and added expressiveness.
G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon™ Center Block with V-Stoptail ($3,399.99 USD, £3,049.00, €3,389.00, $5,899 AUD, ¥ 484,000 JPY) The G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon™ Center Block with V-Stoptail comes in a striking Black finish and is decked out with nickel hardware including the jeweled G-arrow knobs, pearloid Neo-Classic™ thumbnail inlays and headstock logo, and tortoise pickguard, pickup bezels and binding. It also has a 24.6” scale length, and a TonePros® Tune-o-matic Bridge with standard saddles.
ABOUT GRETSCH®:
With roots in the past while maintaining an eye to the future—from the cavernous clubs of Liverpool to the main stage headliner at Coachella, Gretsch has been the voice of inspiration, personal expression and musical invention. It’s no accident that the sound of a Gretsch has been heard loud and proud on some of the most pivotal recordings ever created. The instrument of choice for musical revolutionaries due to their rich, full sound, smooth playability and boldly classic visual style, Gretsch and rock ‘n’ roll have been—and always will be—inseparable partners.