Hello. I am looking at spending $700 for the above mentioned guitar. Is this a good deal? Please give reviews on this guitar. How does this model stack up versus 6118, 6119, & 6120?
2003 Gretch Anniversary with Hilotrons (no Bigsby) please give opinions
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Jul 2, 2008 11:31 p.m. zafferhead:
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Jul 3, 2008 4:13 a.m. guitarguynz:
Consider this an entry to the pro series Gretsch world vs. say the 6120 you mention. I had an 04 model 6117 and the 05 onwards ones seem better in terms of historical correctness. Have you played HiLo's before? Not all like them - I do, but for certain songs/sounds only...e.g. hollow scooped twang (in between setting). Good luck.
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Jul 3, 2008 7:24 a.m. zafferhead:
Thanks. I'm hoping for some "Beatles" rock sounds... hence tht HiLo's.... but would also like to explore blues and country. Do you think $700 is a good deal on this guitar?
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Jul 3, 2008 8:03 a.m. Proteus:
Condition condition condition. Under a grand is about like stealing any FMIC-era pro-line Gretsch, so the price is not a question.
The question is what sort of condition it's in.
Hilos with flatwound strings will deliver Beatle jangle-chime effortlessly, and I find I can do anything else on Hilos as well. They're famously low-output, so you have to attend to amps and pedals, but they're remarkably even and consistent in response, and sound surprisingly good with a bit of dirt.
It's just that they'll sound like Hilos no matter what you're playing on them.
AND - since they're the same physical size as Filtertrons, you can underspend on the guitar in question (assuming the answer to the condition question is positive) and pop any Filtertron or TV Jones-sized alternative in there later. That opens up nearly all Gretsch sonic alternatives.
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Jul 3, 2008 9:34 a.m. zafferhead:
Hey Proteus.. Thanks for the informative reply. The seller says "perfect condition", "bedroom use only"... so I guess I am doing good price-wise. I guess my remaining questions would have to do with just how much lower is the quality (fit-finish, hardware, electronics-wiring, etc). versus higher priced semi-hollow Gretsch's. Thanks again.
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Jul 3, 2008 10:19 a.m. Proteus:
It's NONE lower than higher-priced guitars. See if you can get the actual model number, but if it's a Japanese-made Gretsch, 2003 or later, its only difference in "quality" from more expensive guitars would be cosmetic treatment - lack of binding, etc.
See if you can get the serial number.
If it's a PRE-Fender Gretsch (the cusp year is 2003), it may be 5-ply instead of 3-ply construction, which does make a slight sonic difference, and could have lower-quality pots. Same factory, though.
And - it's stuck in my mind that Hilotrons weren't reintroduced till the Fender era.
Anyone confirm?
Oh - last note. I think Hilotrons really do their best with heavier strings, 11s and higher. Other Gretschpups can get by with 10s (and some say 9s), though I prefer 11s and up on anything.
But the Hilos really need some string mass to make them sing.
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Jul 3, 2008 10:38 a.m. bigalthethird:
$700!? Give me his number or I'll break your fingers.
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Jul 3, 2008 11:09 a.m. zafferhead:
You guys have been a ton of good information. I really appreciate it. $700 is a lot of money for a guitar for me, no matter how good of a deal it is. The serial number is JT03031660. Thanks again.
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Jul 3, 2008 11:17 a.m. bigalthethird:
Good luck dude! Don't think of it as "wow I'm spending $700!" Think of it as "if I ever need to sell this, I can get $1000+ in 1 day."
Think of it that way. Good luck! Fantastic guitar, better price.
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Jul 3, 2008 11:20 a.m. sroux:
March of '03. The 1660th guitar made. IIRC
My 6120 is from September '03, and it has the 3 ply top, and better pots and switches. I think Fender took over in early 2003, so you should be okay. One tell tale sign is the way the neck joins the body. If it looks like this...
..it should be one of the Fender era ones. The pre-FMIC ones went right up to the edge. Their might be some "hybrid" '03 models with characteristics of both, but for that price, I wouldn't sweat it. I had a '99 6120 and it was a killer guitar!
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Jul 3, 2008 11:43 a.m. zafferhead:
Thanks sroux. What does llRC mean?
I called Fender customer service. They told me the date as you noted above. They said it was a G6117HT commemorating Gretch's 75th anniversary and part of the Professional Collection. They were discontinued in January of 2005 and retailed for $2,275 at that time..... but there is a current model that is identical with addition of a Bigsby that retails for $2,525.
I'm leaning toward adding a Bigsby... they sound neat.. and they look too cool not to have.
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Jul 3, 2008 11:47 a.m. zafferhead:
also... the Fender guy told me it was a 3-ply top... so I can't find any negatives. Feelin' good now. I can't wait to get my hands on it and plug it into my Vox AC-15CC.
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Jul 3, 2008 11:53 a.m. reverb11:
Great deal, you can't lose.
"IIRC= If I recall correctly?"
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Jul 3, 2008 12:20 p.m. bigalthethird:
IIRC, IIRC means "if I recall correctly." That's only IIRC, FWIW.
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Jul 3, 2008 12:36 p.m. zafferhead:
Can anyone tell me the correct model Bigsby for this guitar? and... about how much should the Bigsby and installation cost? We have a good guitar tech in the area... but, if it's super difficult or critical, should I send it out (maybe to factory) for the install? I don't want any mistakes. Thanks.
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Jul 3, 2008 12:55 p.m. Scott:
You want a Bigsby B6C, the version with the V-cut on it.
Blackrider has 'em in stock...both versions, the standard and the V-cut. IMO the V-cut would look right on one of those...YMMV.
From what I understand installation is not a big issue. In fact, I think someone did a "how to" thread on this some time back. You may want to do a search for this and decide for yourself.
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Jul 3, 2008 10:59 p.m. guitarguynz:
So, did ya get it? huh? huh?
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Jul 4, 2008 8:53 a.m. zafferhead:
Yep. It's mine. Ebay purchase. I hope to have it in may hands soon. I appreciate the great info and encouragement. I will post again after I receive it.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:03 a.m. zafferhead:
Hey Scott. I followed your profile link to your MySpace page. I guess that was an original song with you singing and playing guitar. Most immpressive dude!!! No kidding!!! I can't sing... but I can't wait to get some of "that great Gretsch sound" through my AC-15.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:24 a.m. Gigatron:
Zafferhead, I hope you'll post a picture of your new guitar.
Years ago, I installed a Bigsby on a Heritage Les Paul style guitar. It was very easy.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:44 a.m. zafferhead:
You can see it if you go to Ebay... type in Gretsch Anniversary...... go to completed listings... sale price $660 + $40 shipping.... or you can look up item number 140245398981.
I will post more pics here when I get it.
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Jul 4, 2008 9:55 a.m. mark t:
Great score, at that price! At a much higher price, it's a great score, but you just nailed a Gretsch pro model at Electromatic prices.
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Jul 4, 2008 10:27 a.m. sroux:
Sweet!
Yep..IIRC = If I Recall Correctly...
Great score! Congrats!
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Jul 4, 2008 10:59 a.m. Gigatron:
I took a peek on eBay - very nice!
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Jul 4, 2008 1:28 p.m. Scott:
Nice grab on the guitar, and yeah the Bigsby should be a fairly easy installation.
Thanks for the kind words about my recorded work. The material was indeed original with the exception of the gospel numbers I put out on CD last year. Solo projects in the purist sense of the word, I was not only playing the guitar but the bass and drum/percussion work and all vocals as well.
Again, congrats on the guitar. I'm sure you'll have a blast with it...and it probably won't be your last Gretsch either(there's your warning)!
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