[starwhitehair]

Yes the Black Phoenix is gone now but on the very same day I discovered and bought a mint Anniversary that has the same parts that I liked about the Black Phoenix and none of the things I didn't like. The Nitro finish, Trestle bracing, TV Jones Classic pickups, pinned bridge are all there and gone are the lack of tone and volume controls and silver sparkle binding everywhere, especially on the neck. I never knew about this limited run double green version of the Anniversary model and now I am happy to have two limited edition 6118's.

[Tony65x55]

Congratulations and welcome to Gretsch Heaven.

[starwhitehair]

Thanks and I have to see how it compares to my 120th Anniversary and the first 67' Double Anniversary Gretsch that I owned.

[Tony65x55]

I have 12 Gretsch guitars but if I could only have one, it would bee that two tone green tone monster.

[wizard_23]

Originally Posted by Tony65x55

I have 12 Gretsch guitars but if I could only have one, it would bee that two tone green tone monster.

Hopefully that's me one day! You got any family photos?

[Tony65x55]

Originally Posted by wizard_23

Hopefully that's me one day! You got any family photos?

A few:

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/393747-post107.html

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/393748-post108.html

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/399714-post1.html

Sorry for the little hijack Starwhitehair. Mucho apologies.

[fender62custom]

Originally Posted by starwhitehair

Yes the Black Phoenix is gone now but on the very same day I discovered and bought a mint Anniversary that has the same parts that I liked about the Black Phoenix and none of the things I didn't like. The Nitro finish, Trestle bracing, TV Jones Classic pickups, pinned bridge are all there and gone are the lack of tone and volume controls and silver sparkle binding everywhere, especially on the neck. I never knew about this limited run double green version of the Anniversary model and now I am happy to have two limited edition 6118's.

Super sexy...super cool....l absolutely love them....congrats & enjoy!!!!

[JRS11]

Very nice, I did not know the 125th came in green....and is that the original bridge? Enjoy

[telespank]

I love it - congrats!

[tartanphantom]

Originally Posted by JRS11

Very nice, I did not know the 125th came in green....

It didn't.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not a 125th-edition Anni. I think you are confusing it with the 6118T-LTV125, which was the 125th anniversary guitar made in 2008.

What you have is the 6118T-LTV. It was a stock model also available n 2008. Yes, it has a lacquer finish, TV Classics, a pinned bridge, trestle bracing, and was available in the classic smoke green finish.

The 6118T-LTV125, on the other hand, has a lacquer finish, a pinned bridge, but has TV Powertrons, ML bracing, and Sperzel locking tuners. It only came in the Jaguar Tan/Gold finish combination.

I think that the confusion comes in where Gretsch decided to put the "125th Anniversary" badge on EVERY SINGLE GUITAR made in 2008. So no matter what guitar you bought, if it's a 2008 model it will have the 125th Anniversary Badge on the back of the headstock. We've seen many 5120's with the same badge, and I also have a 2008 Corvette with the very same headstock badge. However, all of these are simply standard models with the addition of the rear headstock badge.

Also, the quickest tell-tale signs to tell the difference between the 6118T-LTV and the 6118T-LTV125 would be:

A) the model number imprinted on the body label

B) the FRONT chrome headstock plate. The 125th Anni headstock plate reads "125th Anniversary". The other Anni models do not.

Despite all this, and interestingly enough, The Anni that you have is actually a bit more rare than the 125th model. The standard 6118T-LTV was only available from late 2007 to very early 2010-- by the end of 2010 it had been removed from the official Gretsch price list.
On the other hand the 6118T-LTV125 was available from the beginning of 2008 to late 2011- a run of almost 4 years, and is still listed on the current Gretsch website (although apparently production was cancelled earlier this year). So the 125th anniversary was in production longer and is slightly more common than your model. Although your 6118-LTV was not technically released as a "limited edition", you might say that it was rather limited simply because it was only available for 3 years before being discontinued.

You've still got the best of the best of the Standard Anni models, and I hope that my clarifications do not detract from your satisfaction in acquiring this killer Anni. I would have done the same thing and jumped on it without hesitation.

[LATS]

Originally Posted by tartanphantom

... I think that the confusion comes in where Gretsch decided to put the "125th Anniversary" badge on EVERY SINGLE GUITAR made in 2008. So no matter what guitar you bought, if it's a 2008 model it will have the 125th Anniversary Badge on the back of the headstock. We've seen many 5120's with the same badge, and I also have a 2008 Corvette with the very same headstock badge. However, all of these are simply standard models with the addition of the rear headstock badge...

True dat.

My 2008 Caddy Green Duo Jet has the same plate on the back of the headstock. It's a nice touch.

[Tony65x55]

Originally Posted by tartanphantom

You've still got the best of the best of the Standard Anni models, and I hope that my clarifications do not detract from your satisfaction in acquiring this killer Anni. I would have done the same thing and jumped on it without hesitation.

X2. The Double Green Anni is it and yours even has TV Jones classics. I doesn't get much better than that.

[JRS11]

Originally Posted by LATS

True dat.

My 2008 Caddy Green Duo Jet has the same plate on the back of the headstock. It's a nice touch.

Love it

[MoonshineCalbilly]

Congrats on one beautiful guitar!

[starwhitehair]

Thanks for the history lesson tartanphantom, It is very useful. The bridge is original JRS11. I won't be calling it a 125th Annie but I cannot be happier with all the items that came on this one. And no problem tony65X55 we could look at that stash for days at a time. Love it!

[wizard_23]

Mmmm I'd so love to track one of these down. The perfect Annie IMO.

[Preacherofrock]

This is my dream gretsch, and the reason why I'm selling off guitars at the moment. I want one!

[JRS11]

Originally Posted by starwhitehair

Thanks for the history lesson tartanphantom, It is very useful. The bridge is original JRS11. I won't be calling it a 125th Annie but I cannot be happier with all the items that came on this one. And no problem tony65X55 we could look at that stash for days at a time. Love it!

as you should, I still prefer Nitro finishes...just the old way.

[jflintmac]

What a beautiful guitar. You need to be - really satisfied. The itch has been scratched.
It don't get much better than that!

[JRS11]

What does NGD mean?