Swap
Swap
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
VS
Playability
77
Sound
71
Build
77
Value
60
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability
70
Sound
71
Build
78
Value
58
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Add more to comparison

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon over G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Hollowbody
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.685'' (42.8mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Bigsby Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Value Score
60 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie over G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

Body Type
Hollowbody vs Semi-Hollow
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Nut Width
1.685'' (42.8mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron vs Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron vs Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Spruce
Different Body Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.97'' (24.6mm)
Same neck comfortability
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple vs Solid Spruce
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
U
Comfortable neck with more grip
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon wins when it comes to playability, value for the money. On the other hand, the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie has the upper hand when it comes to build quality.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon is the better choice.

The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2022 Artist Signature Edition series
  • Richard Fortus Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Laminated Maple body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • V-Stoptail bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2021 Artist Signature Edition series
  • Rich Robinson Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Spruce Top with Laminated Maple Back and Sides body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B6CBRR String-Thru bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Imperial tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie

Spruce wood pattern used for guitar building
Spruce

Spruce has a light color with tight grain patterns. It's very stiff but relatively light. It's known for producing a well-rounded tone with a broad dynamic range. Find out more about Spruce.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 71
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 71

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon compares to the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's is a Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon's are Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast while the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's are Grover Imperial

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Quality of materials 70
Features 60
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 77
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
Quality of materials 70
Features 65
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 78

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Nut Width
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Nut Width
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie Nut Width
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42.8mm (1.685''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0029999999999999'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon's Scale Length
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon's Scale Length
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's Scale Length
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon is only 24.6" long. This is a 0.9'' (22.9mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie have a U-shaped neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon favors large hands more than the Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie.

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 77
Gretsch G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
General Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon G6136T-RR Rich Robinson Signature Magpie
Brand: Gretsch Gretsch
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: Artist Signature Edition Artist Signature Edition
Colors: Black Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Hollowbody
Body Material: Laminated Maple Solid Spruce Top with Laminated Maple Back and Sides
Bridge: V-Stoptail Bigsby B6CBRR String-Thru
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast Grover Imperial
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail Mother of Pearl Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Scale Size: 24.6" 25.5"
Shape: Standard U Standard U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.97'' (24.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.97'' (24.6mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.8mm (1.685'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch TV Jones Filter'Tron Classic (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch Broad'Tron BT-65 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 3
Tone Controls: 1 1