Gretsch Masterbuilt G6134-CS 1959 Penguin by Gonzalo Madrigal – Heavy Relic, 3-Pickups

Sonic Evaluation

If I were to do a power-ranking of penguins, this Penguin built by Gonzalo Madrigal would have to rank above HBO Max's critically acclaimed show about the Batman villain of the same name. That might seem like a wild take, but after one strum you'll agree that this serial is better than prestige TV! It has an acoustic-like touch-sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and super rich, powerful voice. The attack reminds me of some of my favorite vintage Gretsches with its woody twang, sponge-y sag, and lovely note bloom.

In general, it's quite vocal and throaty (think if Pavarotti was the size of Paul Bunyan), but it still has a delightful openness in the high end. The lows are deep and inviting, the midrange is thick and broad, and the highs sound glassy when you play softly and sparkly when you dig in. It can sound warm and sweet, twangy and jangly, or vicious and snarly depending on how much gain you use and your mood. All in all, it's a magnificent example of Gretsch tone, and it would make a far more compelling protagonist for a TV show than any Batman villain!

Masterbuilt Magic

When a master craftsman builds an instrument by hand all by themselves from start to finish, it imbues the instrument with a special brand of magical mojo that is easy to see, hear, and feel but hard to quantify. They reflect the individual personality of the builder so much that they attain distinctly human quality that makes them feel like an old friend from the moment you pick them up. It’s almost as if they have souls of their own, and nowhere is this soulfulness more evident than in our collection of Fender Masterbuilt instruments.

Each of the instruments you see on this page is the product of decades of hard work and an endless supply of passion. The people who currently hold the title of Masterbuilder under the Fender/Gretsch umbrella have all spent years learning the ropes from the masters that came before them until they climbed the ranks and reached the upper echelon of elite guitar builders. They are some of the most adept craftspeople in the industry, and their skilled hands imbue the instruments they build with the sort of dynamic response and expressiveness that you normally only find in vintage instruments.

This guitar has been built to the exacting standards of some of the most meticulous craftspeople in the world, and it has a heart and soul that reflects the personality of the builder, Gonzalo Madrigal. We’re proud to present this Masterbuilt Gretsch, and we know its timeless tone and superior playability will provide you with years and years of musical joy.