The Gretsch Pages: Gretsch Guitars: 6118 Anniversary

Gretsch guitars: 6118 Anniversary

The Anniversary series debuted in 1958 as a celebration of 75 years since the company's founding. In what must be among the longest Anniversary celebrations ever, Gretsch kept on making Annies for more than 20 years, through the 1970s. More than 15 years after being reintroduced in 1990, they're still going strong.

For many, the ultimate Annies are the originals. For the first two years, Anniversary models were equipped with FilterTron humbuckers, making them very close to a low-budget 6120. All they lack is the bound f-holes and headstock of the more upscale models, and a stock Bigsby.

From the beginning, Anniversary models were "promotionally priced," a Gretsch euphemism for cheap. As the '60s begain, Gretsch began moving them farther downscale. In 1960, Rosewood fingerboards began to replace ebony and HiLoTron single-coils began to replace FilterTrons. By the end of 1961, the changeover was complete.

But even as Gretsch took the Anniversary down market, they came out with a high-end stereo version, the 6112. On Anniversaries, the already low-output HiLo's were split to provide the stereo output, making the system even less functional than it was on FilterTron-equipped guitars. Since the system was only offered in 1961 and 1962 and was never particularly popular, stereo Anniversarys are extremely rare. Note the closely-spaced pickups found on stereo Anniversaries.

During the Baldwin era, the Single Anniversary was quietly dropped, sometime in the late 60s or early 70s. The Double Anniversary soldiered on as the 7560, available only in a sunburst finish, until 1977.

Comments

Gnom wrote:

It's my first Gretsch. It's sounds awesome.

— Nov 30, 2006 10:09 a.m.
Scottie wrote:

My first Gretsch, too. Not as fancy but just as functional/playable as a 6120.

— Apr 25, 2007 12:09 p.m.
ramsey wrote:

Awesome guitar! My first Gretsch as well and I have to say, I love it! Awesome colors and has that "great Gretsch sound"!

— Apr 28, 2007 5:27 p.m.
cloonie1943 wrote:

I have had my annie for about 12 years,someone had sprayed it black and I had it resrayed to what I thought was the the correct shade, I now think it should have been the two tone green model going by traces of lime green on the inside edge of the F holes. It plays like a dream having had it set up by Chris Trigg a local guitar maker ,The serial no is 52187 I think maybe 1962/63,(6117or6118)im not too sure maybe someone can enliten me. Cheers Ray

— Jul 5, 2007 2:40 p.m.
jazzz4 wrote:

Hello Gretsch Pages, I am the owner of a Gretsch Anniversary with the serial number 571229, and I cant find anything about the guitar, can you help me???? best regards Flemming from Denmark, I am also the owner of a Gretsch tenor Banjo - cant find anything about the Banjo - I can send you some pitcures if you wish

— Aug 1, 2007 9:59 a.m.
j4283 wrote:

Just bought a G6118 Anniversary, Serial Number 0011118-830. Beautiful two tone green. No bigsby tailpiece/trem. Would like to add bigsby. Any suggestions. Pickups could have more output. Thinking about adding TV Jones???? I've always wanted a gretsch. I fell in love with this the minute i saw it.

— Dec 16, 2007 8:40 a.m.
BlackpoolPhil wrote:

My introduction to the Gretsch family. As far as I know 1964, serial nr. 65938. How can I describe it? I somehow feel unworthy, as if I`m punching below my weight. Not from my playing ability just from it`s beauty and history. I was 2 years old when it was being built!

— Feb 23, 2008 3:19 a.m.
BigMarty53 wrote:

The first Gretsch I ever laid hands on was a '62 single Annie---the two-tone green model similar in color and hardware to the picture here, with Hi-Los. I was "had" instantly. The first Gretsch I owned was a '63 Tennessean (you know, the "student" model as one ill informed website claims). I've owned or played most of the arch-tops and the Annie was a dream. As for the Tenny (and I admit I like Hi-Lows) I prefer it to either the 6120 or the 6122 even though it goesn't have all of the bells and whistles. It is smaller, lighter, plays great and twangs with the best of them.

— May 4, 2008 4:24 p.m.
mario1956 wrote:

My brother received his Double Annie as a present from our parents in 1965. It is the two tone green. After my brother passed away in 1986 I have been the caretaker of this family heirloom. I still play it regularly in a band with the 6156 amp that was part of the present. The only thing that has been done to the guitar is a refret and a neck reset. It still plays wonderfully and has that distinct sound that is so great. I usually use a guitar pod to boost the output of the pickups which makes it sound even better!!!!

— May 17, 2008 10:35 p.m.
Thomas wrote:

It's <i>just</i> a 6120 with a couple bindings less. Ok, maybe it's not that easy. But it's a beautiful guitar and the only one in the whole gretsch product-line with these colours. The V-Cut Bigsby and the dual FilterTrons among with the MUD switch make it a pretty versatile guitar. It's my first gretsch too and I love it. The sound is beautiful, plugged and unplugged.

— May 19, 2008 10:53 a.m.

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Gretsch guitars: 6118 Anniversary

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1961: