From The Chinery Collection

Gretsch White Penguin
Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Company
Brooklyn, New York
1956

This rare solid-body electric model is one of fewer than 100 manufactured. Introduced in 1955, the White Penguin never appeared in the Gretsch catalog, despite the top-of-the-line appointments, like the "Cadillac" tailpiece, for which Gretsch was known. It was part of the Duo-Jet series and is the solid-body companion of the more popular electric archtop model, the White Falcon.

Gretsch was best known for its hollow-body electrics, which were favored by the company's primarily jazz and country music clientele.