The Guitar Player's Resource
Tucson Vision Encounters Nashville Magic. Sometimes the best ideas come from guitar shop daydreams that refuse to stay quiet. Rainbow Guitars in Tucson couldn't shake this nagging thought: what would happen if you took those dazzling 1950s Sparkle Jet finishes and transplanted them onto a White Penguin body? The result, masterbuilt by Gonzalo Madrigal, proves that some experiments are worth the risk.
You've seen purple sparkle finishes before, but probably not executed with this kind of sophisticated restraint. Instead of drowning the entire instrument in glitter, they kept that white nitrocellulose finish on the back, sides, neck, and headstock, creating visual balance that lets the purple sparkle top absolutely sing without overwhelming your retinas.
Here's where smart design choices pay dividends: those Seymour Duncan Dynasonic pickups with matching purple sparkle covers aren't just aesthetic coordination - they're sonic time machines that deliver that classic vintage Gretsch jangle with modern reliability. The chambered laminated arched maple body resonates with the kind of woody warmth that makes hollow-body electrics irreplaceable for everything from rockabilly twang to jazz sophistication.
That gold sparkle binding creates elegant contrast lines that define the instrument's curves, while the gold hardware - Grover Imperial tuners, Cadillac "G" tailpiece - elevates this from flashy experiment to legitimate custom shop masterpiece. The ebony fingerboard with its 12-inch radius feels perfectly balanced under your fingers, comfortable enough for complex chord work yet curved enough for expressive bending.
Rainbow Guitars was right - this "simple twist" produced dramatically stunning results. It's proof that sometimes the most beautiful innovations come from asking "what if" instead of accepting "that's how it's always been done."
The USA Custom Shop continues raising the bar for what's possible when craftsmanship meets creative vision.
Masterbuilt by Gonzalo Madrigal
Purple Sparkle Top Finish
White Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish on Back, Sides, Neck and Headstock
Chambered Body
Laminated Arched Maple Top
One Piece Mahogany Neck
24.6” Scale 12” Radius
Ebony Fingerboard
Gold Sparkle Binding on Neck and Body
Seymour Duncan Dynasonic Pickups with Purple Sparkle Covers
Tune-a-Matic Bridge
Cadillac "G" Tailpiece
Grover Imperial Die Cast Tuners Gold Hardware
Inlaid Winged Gretsch Logo on Headstock
Rhinestone and White Inlaid Control Knobs
