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Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
Solar T2.7FBB
VS
Playability
67
Sound
73
Build
78
Value
58
Score
73
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Playability
75
Sound
73
Build
56
Value
73
Score
68
FIND IT ON:
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Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon vs Solar T2.7FBB

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon over Solar T2.7FBB

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Standard U vs Solar C Shape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Nut Material
Bone vs Graphite
Good quality nut with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Body Type
Hollowbody vs Solid Body
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Volume Knobs
3 vs 1
More volume control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.97'' (24.6mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.71'' (43.4mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Fixed
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 26.5'' (673.1mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Solar T2.7FBB over Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon

Release Year
2021 vs 2015
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs Standard U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Body Type
Solid Body vs Hollowbody
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.97'' (24.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.71'' (43.4mm)
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
26.5'' (673.1mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
73 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon vs Solar T2.7FBB

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron vs Duncan Solar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon vs Solar T2.7FBB

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple vs Flame Maple Veneer
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Solar T2.7FBB Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Solar T2.7FBB's 68 score, although not by a lot.

The Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Solar T2.7FBB has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Solar T2.7FBB is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Solar T2.7FBB is the better choice.

The Solar T2.7FBB meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon meets only 2. 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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Solar T2.7FBB
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Overview

  • From Gretsch's 2015 Professional Collection series
  • Billy Duffy Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Arched Laminated Maple top
  • Laminated Maple body
  • 3-Piece Maple/Walnut/Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 3 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Bigsby B6CW with Wire Handle bridge
  • Standard U Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Imperial with Butter-Bean Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Solar T2.7FBB Overview

  • From Solar's 2021 Type T series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Fixed Bridge bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Solar 18:1 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 Solar T2.7FBB

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Solar T2.7FBB.

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.

However, the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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: Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon.

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

The Solar T2.7FBB gives you 5 switch options while the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon gives you 3. This means that the Solar T2.7FBB gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's switch options
Solar T2.7FBB pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar T2.7FBB'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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 66
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 73
Solar T2.7FBB
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 70
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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon compares to the Solar T2.7FBB.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon is built in Japan while the Solar T2.7FBB is made in Indonesia.

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.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon has 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.

On the other hand, the Solar T2.7FBB comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon.

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's brige 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.

On the other hand, the Solar T2.7FBB's 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.

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's are Grover Imperial with Butter-Bean Buttons while the Solar T2.7FBB's are Solar 18:1

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar T2.7FBB
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
Quality of materials 65
Features 70
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 78
Solar T2.7FBB
Quality of materials 48
Features 50
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 56

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Nut Width
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Nut Width
Solar T2.7FBB Nut Width
Solar T2.7FBB Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar T2.7FBB has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 43.4mm (1.71''). This is a 4.6mm (0.18'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar T2.7FBB, 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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's Scale Length
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's Scale Length
Solar T2.7FBB's Scale Length
Solar T2.7FBB'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 Solar T2.7FBB has the longest scale: 26.5". The Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon is only 25.5" long. This is a 1'' (25.4mm) 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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Neck Profile
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's neck profile
Solar T2.7FBB Neck Profile
Solar T2.7FBB's 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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon has a U type of 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.

The Solar T2.7FBB, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's Fingerboard radius
Solar T2.7FBB Fingerboard Radius
Solar T2.7FBB's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar T2.7FBB's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Solar T2.7FBB.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

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 G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon favors large hands more than the Solar T2.7FBB.

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Solar T2.7FBB:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Frets Size
Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's Frets Size
Solar T2.7FBB Frets Size
Solar T2.7FBB's Frets Size

The Solar T2.7FBB has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 60
Playability 67
Solar T2.7FBB
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon vs Solar T2.7FBB
General Gretsch G7593T Billy Duffy Signature Falcon Solar T2.7FBB
Brand: Gretsch Solar
Year: 2015 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 7
Made in: Japan Indonesia
Series: Professional Collection Type T
Colors: White Black Burst Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Hollowbody Solid Body
Body Material: Laminated Maple Mahogany
Bridge: Bigsby B6CW with Wire Handle Fixed Bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Imperial with Butter-Bean Buttons Solar 18:1
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 3-Piece Maple/Walnut/Maple Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Big Block Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 25.5" 26.5"
Shape: Standard U Solar C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.97'' (24.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 15.75"
Nut: Bone Graphite
Nut Width: 43.4mm (1.71'') 48mm (1.89'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Custom Wound Black Top Filter'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 3 1
Tone Controls: 0 1