Brand: Gretsch
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, SOLD
First introduced in 1958 to mark their 75th anniversary, the two-pickup Gretsch 6118 Double Anniversary was also available with one pickup, as the Anniversary.
Using most of the same jigs, fixtures and design as the higher-priced 6120 models, the Gretsch 6118 Double Anniversary features a fully hollow, tone-bar braced laminate Maple body and Maple neck with bound Indian Rosewood fingerboard. For hardware, open gear tuners are at the head and a G-cutout tailpiece at the tail, with a Space Control bridge on an Ebony base in the middle. These models typically did not ship with a Bigsby, though many players have added them over the years. The pickguard is Plexiglass, and on these models only say ‘Gretsch’ – the Chet Atkins name went on the more expensive models.
Initially, the electronics started with one or two of Gretsch’s new hum-cancelling Filter ‘Tron pickups, but in 1960 the single-coil HiLo ‘Tron appeared and replaced the Filter ‘Trons on the Anniversary models. On two-pickup Double Anniversary models, the wiring included a pickup selector, tone switch, Master volume, and individual volumes. The Single Anniversary had only the Master volume and tone switch.
This Gretsch 6118 Double Anniversary was built during 1962 in Brooklyn, New York and sports the two-tone ‘Smoke Green’ lacquer finish. It is in overall good, largely original, and quite playable condition. The binding is intact, with no sign of the deterioration that some examples from this era exhibit. The finish is generally in good shape with lots of natural checking, a few small dents and dings and some small touchups expected of an instrument in its 60s. Fret wear is moderate to heavy in the low positions. It plays well and cleanly as is, and is comfortable to play. And it looks and sounds great!
The original Gretsch case is included.
- Model: 6118 Double Anniversary
- Year: 1962
- Finish Smoke Green
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 48003, built during 1962 in Brooklyn NY
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 21/06/2023
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 6.6lbs 3kg
- Scale Length: 24.488in 622mm
- Nut Width: 1.688in 42.37mm
