Electric guitars

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic

The Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic pairs a distinctive chambered, single-cut design with premium materials and USA master-built construction. Its high price and lack of a tremolo make it a focused purchase for players drawn to this specific model and finish.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic review

The Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic is a U.S.-made, master-built Custom Shop model associated with the 2021 Spring Event. Its specifications list a chambered mahogany body, a maple top, a mahogany neck, an ebony fingerboard, and a Lake Placid Blue relic finish in nitrocellulose lacquer. It has a single-cutaway shape, 22 frets, and a 625 mm (24.6-inch) scale.

This is a technical assessment based only on the supplied product data. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for claims about playing feel, sound quality, reliability, or owner satisfaction. The listed price is 8333; no currency is specified in the provided information.

Body, neck, and dimensions

The chambered mahogany body and maple top define the main construction. The neck is also mahogany, paired with an ebony fingerboard. The neck profile is listed as C, with a 43 mm nut width and a 625 mm scale. These figures describe the instrument's dimensions, but they do not establish how the neck feels in practice or how the guitar responds acoustically.

The fingerboard has 22 medium frets and engraved hump-block inlays. Silver-sparkle binding is specified, giving the instrument a decorative detail that contrasts with the blue finish. A vertical wing logo is also listed. The finish is described as relic, with nitrocellulose lacquer, but the supplied data does not detail the aging process or identify which areas show wear.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration is HH, meaning two pickups in the listed format. The more detailed specification identifies them as two blue Seymour Duncan Dynasonic humbuckers. That terminology is retained as supplied; the product data does not provide output measurements, magnet type, wiring details, or frequency response, so those characteristics cannot be evaluated here.

The guitar has one switch and blue jeweled controls. The information does not say what the switch selects, how many control knobs are present, or how the controls are assigned. Buyers should confirm those details with the seller if they affect a setup or intended use. No tremolo is included, and the listed bridge is the Synchrosonic "Melitta" model, paired with a Gretsch Cadillac tailpiece.

Hardware and included items

Hardware is nickel, and the tuning machines are Grover Imperial models. The pickguard is silver. Together with the silver-sparkle binding, engraved fingerboard inlays, blue pickups, and Lake Placid Blue finish, these details form a highly specified visual package. The listing does not provide hardware dimensions or adjustment instructions.

A case and certificate are included. A gig bag is not included. That distinction is useful when comparing packages or planning transport. The product is listed as one piece per sales unit.

Availability and specification notes

The listing gives November 2024 as the date the product became available, while also identifying it as a 2021 limited run and a Spring Event 2021 Custom Shop model. These entries may describe different stages of the model's history, but the supplied information does not explain the timeline. It names Steven Stern as the master builder and states that the guitar was made in the USA.

The item number is 525355. The model is identified as Penguin, the color as blue, and the more specific finish name as Lake Placid Blue. No production quantity, current stock status, warranty information, or detailed case description is provided.

Technical assessment

The specification sheet presents a distinctive Custom Shop build with chambered mahogany construction, a maple top, ebony fingerboard, two named pickups, and a dedicated bridge and tailpiece combination. Its dimensions and included case are clearly stated, while several practical details remain unspecified, particularly the control layout and switch function. For a purchase decision, verify those points, the current price and currency, and the condition of the specific instrument with the retailer. Without customer feedback or independent measurements, any judgment of tone, comfort, or value would go beyond the available evidence.

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, front view
7.7/ 10 overall score
$8,333current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Master-built in the USA by Steven Stern, with a certificate and case included.
  • Chambered mahogany body, maple top, mahogany neck, and ebony fingerboard.
  • Distinctive Lake Placid Blue relic finish with silver sparkle binding and engraved hump-block inlays.

What bugged me

  • The listed price of 8333 places it in a high-price category.
  • No tremolo is fitted, and no gig bag is included.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong fit for players seeking a USA master-built Gretsch with a distinctive relic finish and premium appointments. Also suited to buyers who prefer a chambered mahogany body and two humbuckers.

Look elsewhere if

A poor fit for shoppers seeking a lower-priced instrument or a tremolo-equipped guitar. Also consider another option if a gig bag is essential.
RockJazzBlues

Suggested level: Intermediate

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, $8,333Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Blue
Body
Mahogany
Top
Maple
Neck
Mahogany
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
22
Scale
625 mm
Pickups
HH
Tremolo
None
Including case
Yes
Incl. gigbag
No
Limited run
2021
Model
Penguin
Shape
Single Cut

Up close

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, detail 2Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, detail 3Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, detail 4Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What materials are used in the body and neck?

The chambered body and neck are mahogany, the top is maple, and the fingerboard is ebony.

What pickups does this Penguin have?

It has two blue Seymour Duncan Dynasonic humbuckers.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A case and certificate are included, but a gig bag is not.

Does this model have a tremolo?

No. The listed specification says there is no tremolo; it has a Synchrosonic Melita bridge and Gretsch Cadillac tailpiece.

Where is it made, and is it a limited model?

It is made in the USA and described as a limited-run model, master-built by Steven Stern.

The last word from the bench

This limited-run Penguin combines a chambered mahogany body, maple top, ebony fingerboard, and two Seymour Duncan Dynasonic humbuckers. Its Lake Placid Blue relic finish, silver sparkle binding, and detailed appointments give it a distinctive look, while the included case and certificate add useful ownership extras. The specification does not include a tremolo or gig bag, and the listed price is substantial. With no customer reviews provided, buyer feedback cannot be assessed.

Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic, $8,333Check today's price →

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Gretsch 6134CST 55 Penguin LPB Relic

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