❌SOLD❌Gretsch Anniversary 6118 Two Tone Smoke Green 1964

Here we have a very nice Gretsch Anniversary 6118 in Two Tone Smoke Green, built during 1964 in Brooklyn, New York. The Gretsch Anniversary Models were introduced as lower cost versions of the popular 6120 during 1958 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the company’s 1883 founding.

Different model numbers were applied depending on the finish and wiring. The Sunburst Double Anniversary – double meaning two pickups – was designated 6117, and the Two Tone Smoke Green as seen here was the 6118. Single pickup Anniversary models were the Sunburst 6124 and Smoke Green 6125. Double Anniversaries were also available with ‘Stereo’ wiring, and those models were the Sunburst 6111 and Smoke Green 6112.

From 1958 to 1960, Anniversary models used the new Gretsch Filter ‘Tron pickups designed by Ray Butts, but from 1960 single-coil HiLo’Tron pickups were installed.

This Gretsch Anniversary 6118 dates to 1964 and is in very nice condition, with no binding deterioration. The Two Tone Smoke Green finish shows natural and expected lacquer checking but the colours are rich and vibrant with very little physical damage otherwise. This guitar appears to be all original, with one subtle modification – the black plastic pickup inserts have been removed and flipped to be all black, with the ‘Gretsch’ logo hidden and facing down.

The Gretsch Anniversary 6118, like other similar models is based on the 6120 design but with less decoration. “Less decoration” means that only the body is bound – the fingerboard headstock and F holes are unbound, except for the 1963 and later Double Anniversary, which did have a bound fingerboard.

Construction is otherwise the same, with Maple Laminates used for the body, Maple for the two-piece neck, and either Rosewood or Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge base. Here, the fingerboard is Rosewood and the bridge base Ebony.

For hardware, the Gretsch Anniversary 6118 was available with either a Bigsby or a G-Cut fixed tailpiece. The Space Control bridge appeared in 1957 and is still used; this bridge allows the saddles to be adjusted side to side for proper string spacing. For electronics, a pair of HiLo’Tron pickups are controlled by a pickup selector, individual volume controls and one master volume, and there’s a three way tone switch – the center being off.

This Gretsch Anniversary 6118 is in remarkable shape for a 56 year old instrument. The finish is in great condition, the frets are original with minor wear and the binding nubs still in place, covering the fret ends. It plays well and has that unmistakable Gretsch twang!

The original Gretsch two tone hard shell case is included.