What guitar do I have?

[pmgnut]

Hi all!

I will be purchasing a fixer-upper guitar soon for a winter project. It is a Gretsch model 6117. Needs neck re-set, strings, new frets and a darn good cleaning. Sunburst color scheme. The guy is selling it to me for 175.00. There are cracks in the finish and a paint chip here and there. According to the model & serial number It is a 1963, but I cannot find what name it went under back then {ex: "corvette", or "electromatic", etc }. Is this worth 175.00?

[mr. beaumont]

you're kidding right? have you priced 1960's gretsches anywhere?

[JohnW400]

There is a Gretch specialist that may answer your questions.


Vintage fretted musical instruments-handcrafed guitars-stringed musical instruments


or call Mandolin Brothers. They may offer some info

Mandolin Brothers, Ltd.

[pmgnut]

Yes , I've been looking around they are very pricey but the one's I've seen for sale are in premo shape. Anyway, I think 175.00 is a steal, beat up or not

[Tom Karol]

Originally Posted by pmgnut

Yes , I've been looking around they are very pricey but the one's I've seen for sale are in premo shape. Anyway, I think 175.00 is a steal, beat up or not

Definitely a steal! (I believe it was called an 'Anniversary' - only one notch down from a Chet Atkins Nashville 6120.)

[pmgnut]

Thanks for the info. Is there anything that can be done with the cracks in the finish or should I leave it alone? The neck is also loose. He said it is a set-in neck but we also discovered something else that is holding it from completely coming off, there is a small dime size cover plate on the backside of the neck near the body, I'm assuming there is a bolt underneath.

[6117]

i actually have a '63 6117 (hence the user name... ), the 6117 is refered to as the double anniversary or diamond anniversary model (hence the diamond inlay n the headstock). and its fantastic, great action and great sound.... the neck on mine is perfect, fits like a glove. some people think you cant get a good jazz sound out of a gretsch.....their wrong. the pick ups on mine are hilotrons (single coils, they didnt start using hbs on these till later.), i love the sound of the neck with the tone cut back - just be sure to put flats on it. one thing though, the bridge pick up is very weak as gretsch didnt bother to make their bridge pickups andy hotter/higher output than their neck pickups. essentially the neck and the bridge pu are exactly the same and while that p/u design works well in the neck it just doesn't cut it in the bridge imo (which is fine by me, i hardly ever use the bride p/u anyway). however the pickups combined can sound pretty cool especially in a more bluesy context. and yes their is a wooden bolt in the neck, which is actually a good thing - keeps them stable. do yourself a favor and put some heavy ass flats on it the sound is great. btw ive been lurking here for a while and gotta say this place is top notch.....

[pmgnut]

The bridge is also missing so I'll have to search for one of those. Do you have the roller type bridge? I'm picking the guitar up tonight.

[goshawk]

Here are some nice pictures of one that sold at archtop.com

1960 Gretsch Double Anniversary

Might be handy for reference.

[6117]

i have the space control bridge which ive come to like - bit different then the typical gibson/fender type offerings. though its worth noting that my guitar has a standard g logo tail piece (not a bigsby fan) so i cant comment on how the bridge would work in conjunction w/ a bigsby (not sure if you have one or not?).

[pmgnut]

No it does not have a bigsby, and I'm fine with that, but I would like to restore this with original parts if I can. Not sure how available these bridges and saddles are. Can anyone reccommend a good cleaner that will take off this thick foggy film off the body? The paint scheme on this one also seems to have more dark and less bright color, kinda the reverse of the one in the picture.

[SamBooka]

not to be gross.. Dan Erlewine starts with a soft rag and a little saliva.
You dont want anything getting in the cracks in the finish.

[pmgnut]

Interesting...but whatever works!

[pmgnut]

Well here she is in her new home...

[pmgnut]

I'm a little confused with the color scheme. All the other anniversary models from that year seem to have less dark and more burst color from the center out.

[SamBooka]

first thing that popped in my head.. "oh.. that doesnt look right"
Then again older guitars werent painted by computers so anything is possible. Still a sweet sweet guitar. I am supremely jealous.

[pmgnut]

Seems like a dramatic difference in the burst though, kinda strange. I don't believe it's been repainted, as the finish on this has lots of cracks and character that looks very old