Gretsch G5021WPE Rancher Penguin Review (Updated 2019)

Gretsch G5021WPE

Sound
Build
Cost
Playability

Summary

The G5021WPE Rancher Penguin from masters of the blues Gretsch is certainly a site to behold!

Looks aside, how does the guitar sound, play, and really how good is it in comparison to the rest of the best parlour guitars on the market today? Let’s have a look, so you can really pit this beautiful penguin parlour against your favourite acoustics.

The Low Down – Gretsch G5021

Build

Whilst it’s still classed as a parlour guitar (and believe us, it is), the ‘souped-up’ appearance gives the body of the guitar a little more of a slender appearance, typically seen in the very early parlour guitars that were prominent at the turn of the 20th century. The penguin styling is a love letter to early blues, with stand-out additions such as the striking headstock and accompanying hardware that scream rockabilly guitar, effectively blending the old and the new genres to create an acoustic that is inspired by generations of music.

The penguin parlour is made from a pristine laminated maple wood, more commonly finished in a glossy white colourway.

With a solid spruce top, the guitar is surprisingly quite loud considering the small sound hole and compressed upper-body, and it’s actually one of the more louder parlour guitars we’ve played, which was totally unexpected due to the size and is a testament to the build quality and care put into the construction from Gretsch.

The neck is made of maple and, like most acoustic guitars that are well-built, comes with a rosewood fretboard. There are also 20 vintage frets which is higher than the average 16-18 when it comes to parlour builds, along with unmistakable gold hardware such as the binding and machine heads. Plus, just take a second to admire that iconic headstock!

Spec (just the need-to-know bits)

Neck: Mahogany

Body: Laminated Maple

Hardware: Gold

Frets: 20

Weight: 4.5g

Length: 19″

Sound & Playability (Video Demos)

Pros

Astounding build quality
Mid-range price
Iconic bosy shape
Striking look, instantly recognisable

Cons

Body is slightly smaller at the top-end
The finish can be ‘striking’, at least for fans of more traditional acoustic guitars

Recommended For

If you’re already a fan of blues, and have had a look at low-cost parlour guitars but want to get something with a bit of a better build quality, or if you’re a fan of rock, blues or rockabilly from the mid-20th century, this guitar reflects that era perfectly (and is built to fit that style of playing too).

Closing Thoughts

The Gretsch Penguin is certainly a premium parlour guitar, and is worth the investment if you’re a hardcore blues and rockabilly fan. Not your traditional acoustic, this is certainly one for the players who like to be seen before they’re heard!

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