Got this beauty (my first FMIC era Pro model) for a steal a few days ago and planned on flipping her....once I opend the case that planned changed. Fantastic guitar and after a few days of play...my standards and expectations for a $1-2.5K guitar have gone up considerably...

Heres some pics,

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/iceman0124/Gretsch%20SB%20ANNI/IMG_4690.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/iceman0124/Gretsch%20SB%20ANNI/IMG_4709.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/iceman0124/Gretsch%20SB%20ANNI/IMG_4618.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e334/iceman0124/Gretsch%20SB%20ANNI/IMG_4715.jpg

I love this guitar!, She's damn near perfect, I'm not a huge burst fan anymore, but this one is sublime to my eyes...its so smooth and just beautiful, especially on the sides which I think really ties it all together, especially the guard....which seems highly out of place if you just read a description without seeing it. In terms looks, feel, tones, even smell...she excels IMO The Hilotrons really surprised me, fat and full, like a ...housebroken P-90... that still has some teeth when you need them. The trestle bracing is something I never really knew much about but now wish several of my other guitars had it....no unwanted feedback at loud volume levels or distortion settings.

Getting this guitar has got seriously thinking of downsizing my collection, probably get another modern proline Gretsch, then another piece or two from smaller scale domestic builders and focus more on playing than hunting down things that look neat but always become projects....and usually money pits...I dont really need to change anything on my anni, only mod I'm considering is possibly a wire handle for the bigs... I still like my G5129 and my highly modded epi sorrento that got pretty much the full gretsch treatment....but the anni outclasses those by such a huge margain I wasnt expecting it ito...I thought it would be better...but not this much better...

Got this beauty (my first FMIC era Pro model) for a steal a few days ago and planned on flipping her....once I opend the case that planned changed. Fantastic guitar and after a few days of play...my standards and expectations for a $1-2.5K guitar have gone up considerably...

Heres some pics,

I love this guitar!, She's damn near perfect, I'm not a huge burst fan anymore, but this one is sublime to my eyes...its so smooth and just beautiful, especially on the sides which I think really ties it all together, especially the guard....which seems highly out of place if you just read a description without seeing it. In terms looks, feel, tones, even smell...she excels IMO The Hilotrons really surprised me, fat and full, like a ...housebroken P-90... that still has some teeth when you need them. The trestle bracing is something I never really knew much about but now wish several of my other guitars had it....no unwanted feedback at loud volume levels or distortion settings.

Getting this guitar has got seriously thinking of downsizing my collection, probably get another modern proline Gretsch, then another piece or two from smaller scale domestic builders and focus more on playing than hunting down things that look neat but always become projects....and usually money pits...I dont really need to change anything on my anni, only mod I'm considering is possibly a wire handle for the bigs... I still like my G5129 and my highly modded epi sorrento that got pretty much the full gretsch treatment....but the anni outclasses those by such a huge margain I wasnt expecting it ito...I thought it would be better...but not this much better...

That is a nice burst. It'd be hard to flip that'n.

It just doesn't get any better than that... Truly gorgeous.

You can't beat a Proline Gretsch! Your looks superb!!

Huge congrats!

Huge congrats iceman! she's a beauty! :D

Thanks!

I'm still smitten with the guitar, and still totally in love with thneck pup and neck/bridge combo...but the bridge pup by itself is a bit lacking. She should be going in for a setup tomorrow and I may try and get the bridge pup shimmed up a little closer to the strings.

I've searched around on replacement pups and come away very confused about what will fit with no major mods to the body. Primary question, what non invasive pickup options are available for my guitar? Some say any TV filter type should drop in, some say that will require surgery.

I've read that a hilo neck, dyna bridge is an amzing combo...but that would require major surgery right?...

This guitar still holds the record for keeping the modder in me at bay....almost a week :p

Thanks!

I'm still smitten with the guitar, and still totally in love with thneck pup and neck/bridge combo...but the bridge pup by itself is a bit lacking. She should be going in for a setup tomorrow and I may try and get the bridge pup shimmed up a little closer to the strings. I can dial in decent sound for the bridge only through the amp...but then that skews the neck , neck/bridge tones...

I've searched around on replacement pups and come away very confused about what will fit with no major mods to the body. Primary question, what non invasive pickup options are available for my guitar? Some say any TV filter type should drop in, some say that will require surgery.

I've read that a hilo neck, dyna bridge is an amzing combo...but that would require major surgery right?...

This guitar still holds the record for keeping the modder in me at bay....almost a week :p

Honey moon is far from over after a bit over a week, still really love this work of art:cool:

I am really considering a new bridge though...kinda torn between a standard rocking bar, a true arc or a compton...I'm leaning towards the compton...though kinda intimidated by the measurements, especially the radius...its listed as 12" but I hear they can often vary....:confused:

Honey moon is far from over after a bit over a week, still really love this work of art:cool:

I am really considering a new bridge though...kinda torn between a standard rocking bar, a true arc or a compton...I'm leaning towards the compton...though kinda intimidated by the measurements, especially the radius...its listed as 12" but I hear they can often vary....:confused:Somewhere online, maybe Stewart McDonald, there's a printable radius gauge you can download and check for yourself. It's almost certainly a 12" radius. I have four Gretsch guitars and four Compton bridges.

gorgeous sunburst!
happy ngd!

B.E.A.UTIFUL

Someday, I want one... but not now. Damn... now I want one now!

Congrats on you NGD! You picked up a winner!

Thanks! Still coming to grips with the hilos, at times I love them to death...at other times they can be kinda hard to deal with...not ready to give up on them though...

It's like looking at art. Your hands will be very happy holding that for years to come.:D

She is my defacto #1, and I'm keeping the hilo's.:cool: In the process of unloading some of my less played...not that fond of anymore pieces and am looking for either another pro line or mebbe something with a little vintage...;)

Ah oh! It sounds like you've got the proline bug! It's a good bug to have. I've not yet had the chance to sample a HiLoTron equipped Gretsch yet, so my curiosity remains intact. I'm glad that you're enjoying your guitar!

Here's a printable radius gauge. If it was laminated, you could cut a little handle into it so it could be used under the strings - IHTH

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Images/Pickguardian%20Neck%20Radius%20Gauges.pdf

Wow, that is one beauuuutiful guitar. Congrats!

Thanks guys....still totally in love, she is a keeper for sure:cool:

She's a beauty for sure.

Great guitar, I have the same model and I love it. Best looking finish they sell IMO. If you were still curious it is in fact a 12in radius neck. I replaced the stock bridge with a Compton (which was a big improvement) and I also swapped the pups for TVJ classics (it's a direct replacement for the standard mount models).

While the HiLos were cool, the output is just so low compared to all my other guitars I'd have to change settings all over my rig when I'd switch to it.

Anyway enjoy it!

Great guitar. I love these hollow body with hilo's!

Great looking Annie! I just picked one up myself, and wanted to know if you every swapped out your bridge pickup?

Wow, pics look fresh! Congrats!
Is that forest your backyard? Cool...