The Gretsch 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 has pretty much kept on making Annies ever since. In fact, they’ve celebrated a few new anniversaries along the way.
For many, the ultimate vintage Annies are the originals. For the first two years, Anniversary models were equipped with FilterTron humbuckers, making them essentially a budget-priced 6120. All they lack are the bound f-holes and headstock of the more upscale models and a stock Bigsby.
Budget-priced was the key: From the beginning, Anniversary models were “promotionally priced”, and as the ‘60s began, 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 pair of high-end stereo versions, the sunburst 6111 and Smoke Green 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 stereo guitars. Since the system was only offered in 1961 and 1962 and was never particularly popular, stereo Anniversarys are extremely rare. They can be easily spotted by their closely-spaced pickups.
During the Baldwin era, the Single Anniversary was quietly dropped, as were the Smoke Green Anniversaries. The sunburst finished 7560 Double Anniversary soldiered on as through the 70s, until 1977, when it, too was dropped.
The Anniversary line quickly returned In the modern era, and has proliferated since its return. In addition to both FilterTron and HiLoTron-equipped versions, Gretsch has also celebrated with the Bamboo Yellow/Copper Mist 120th Anniversary and the Jaguar Tan/Gold 125th Anniversary.
The Gretsch-GEAR database includes 22 different models
and 317 examples
in the Anniversary models family, including
"Double" Anniversary, "Single" Anniversary, 125th 125th Anniversary, 130th Anniversary, Anniversary, Anniversary Junior, Cats-eye, Double Anniversary, JR 130th 130th Anniversary Jr
and
Sarah Gallenberger
models.
Like other Anniversary models, the sunburst-finished version of the classic Double Anniversary was introduced in 1958, originally with twin FilterTron pickups. In 1960 HiLoTron pickups replaced the FilterTrons and rosewood replaced ebony for the fretboard, and after that the 6117 continued relatively unchanged through the '60s. In the early 70s ...
From about 2003 to 2006 Gretsch offered two different HiLoTron-equipped versions of the 6117. The Bigsby-less G6117-HT was not as popular as the Bigsby-equipped 6117T-HT.
To celebrate 130 years since the company founding, Gretsch released this custom shop complement to the regular pro-line 130th Anniversary Jr. The custom shop 130th Anniversary was created by Master Builder Stephen Stern and came with a faux alligator case, a 130th Anniversary leather strap and an embroidered utility bag. ...
The original Anniversary, released in 1958 as a celebration of Gretsch's 75 years in business, was a mainstay of the Gretsch lineup. So it was only fitting that 2003 found Fender Musical Instruments Corp. — being in control of Gretsch’s manufacturing and distribution since the previous year — deciding to ...
The 125th Anniversary was offered in 2008 to celebrate Gretsch's 125 years in business. It was distinguished by a special two-tone Jaguar Tan/Gold lacquer finish, but also featured TV Jones PowerTron pickups and the all-new "ML" bracing, which no previous Gretsch guitar had featured. Note: labels on earlier examples of ...
Following on the heels of the successful 120th and 125th Anniversary models, Gretsch introduced this Jr model to celebrate their 130th anniversary. Fans had been clamoring for a return of the Jrs since their demise a few years previously, and the 130th delivered with a few new extras, including a ...
Left-Handed version of the 6118-T-LTV-125th Anniversary model. ML bracing; Two-tone Jaguar Tan and Gold lacquer finish. Powertron Pickups; Sperzel tuners; pinned Tune-o-matic bridge, Left-handed B6C Bigsby tailpiece
