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Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
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Playability
77
Sound
71
Build
77
Value
60
Score
75
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Playability
75
Sound
73
Build
82
Value
62
Score
77
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Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon over G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Bridge
Fixed vs Bigsby Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon over G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon

Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Value Score
62 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron vs Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron vs Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron
Different Neck Pickup

Shared Features
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon

Body Wood
Maple
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Semi-Hollow
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
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
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple
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
  • 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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon is probably the better product overall with its final score of 77 compared to the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2021 Professional Collection series
  • 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 High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B7CP String-Thru bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Weight around 8.05lbs (3.7kgs)
  • 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.

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon'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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 71
Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 73

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon.

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.

In this case, both have Ivory Tusq nuts. 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.

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon'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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon.

Tuners

The Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon.

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • 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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
Quality of materials 70
Features 75
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 82

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
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon's Scale Length
Both have the same 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.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.6".

This is a vintage-style scale length that's relatively short when compared to modern standards. A short scale makes the string tension lower, which makes the strings feel looser. This makes it easier to bend the strings, but it also makes fret buzz more likely if the action is set too low.

The shorter length also means a shorter separation of the frets. It also makes the overall tone sound warmer since the harmonics and overtones will have less space to breathe.

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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon 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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon 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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor large hands .

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon and Gretsch G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon 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 G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon vs G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
General Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon G6636TSL Players Edition Silver Falcon
Brand: Gretsch Gretsch
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: Artist Signature Edition Professional Collection
Colors: Black Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Laminated Maple Laminated Maple
Bridge: V-Stoptail Bigsby B7CP String-Thru
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Rotomatic Die-Cast Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail Pearloid Neo-Classic Thumbnail
Scale Size: 24.6" 24.6"
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 Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Gretsch High Sensitive Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 3
Tone Controls: 1 1