First Gretsch; G6118t anniversary or G6120tg?

[southbeck]

Hi! New member here. I´m looking at some help with choosing my first Gretsch. What I´m looking for is a quite versatile Gretsch to bring out to gigs playing big band, pop/country and some occasional lighter rock.
The player series G6120tg fits all the criterias but I´m not so fond of the colors. It´s only available in azure blue and orange. Both quite bright colors. But then I saw that there is also the G6118t anniversary and the spec looks quite the same and I like the color, copper metallic.
But I don´t really understand the differences between the two. Anyone that can compare them? What are the big diffrences? They both have the same filtertron 67 pickups so I assume the sound to be quite the same?

These are the two models I´m looking :

Gretsch G6118T Play.Ed. Anniv. CPM

Electric Guitar Professional Collection Series, Style: Hollowbody, Laminated maple body, Laminated maple top, Laminated maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, Pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail fingerboard inlays, Black purfling, Neck profile: Standard U,...

www.thomann.de

Gretsch G6120TG Nashville Azure

Electric Guitar Player Edition, Construction: Hollowbody, Body: Maple Laminated, Glued-in neck: Maple, Fretboard: Ebony, Thumbnail fretboard inlays, Neck profile: Vintage V, Aged White Binding, Scale length: 624 mm (24.57"), Compound fretboard...

www.thomann.de

Any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[diamoroso]

For me personally, I would pick the one that visually called to me more. Some of the key differences between the two are: 1. Neck profile, U on the Anni, V on the 6120. 2. Rosewood fretboard for the Anni, Ebony for the 6120. 3. Neck binding on the 6120, not on the Anni. There are probably others as well. I have a vintage V neck profile on my 6120, and a U on my Falcon. I definitely prefer the U shape, but I have no problem with the V, and I get used to pretty much any neck profile pretty quickly. I prefer ebony fretboards, but I don't mind rosewood. I prefer fretboard binding, but it's far from a deal breaker to me. I would expect them to sound very similar, the difference between those two tonally shouldn't be much bigger than the difference between two of the same model, in my opinion. All in all, for me the differences are all pretty insignificant, and that's why I'd choose the one that visually appealed to me more. I know some players are more sensitive to neck profile and such, and if you fall into that camp it'll probably be better to pick the one that feels better to you in hand. Finding Proline Gretsch guitars to try out in person isn't always easy though, in which case I'd make sure you have a good return policy incase you don't gel with the neck profile and decide you want to switch it.

 

[southbeck]

Thanks for your reply!
I´m with you on the neck profile. I also usually get used to most. Have guitars with very different profiles but I´m not bothered by it. Was mostly not sure about the differences between the models. But it seems as it shouldn´t be a big difference. It´s really hard to find one to try where I live.

 

[ToneM1]

I would take the one that played the best and sounded the best! A blue 6120? WTF..? I've had old/original 6120's(a 1958 & a 1964) and I guess I'm just more of a traditionalist, but they need to be orange. You wanna do a new model in a different colour, fine, but leave the old ones alone..
BTW Southbeck, Welcome to our little corner of the intraweb!! Hope you enjoy it!

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @southbeck !

 

[Maguchi]

Hi! New member here. I´m looking at some help with choosing my first Gretsch. What I´m looking for is a quite versatile Gretsch to bring out to gigs playing big band, pop/country and some occasional lighter rock.
The player series G6120tg fits all the criterias but I´m not so fond of the colors. It´s only available in azure blue and orange. Both quite bright colors. But then I saw that there is also the G6118t anniversary and the spec looks quite the same and I like the color, copper metallic.
But I don´t really understand the differences between the two. Anyone that can compare them? What are the big diffrences? They both have the same filtertron 67 pickups so I assume the sound to be quite the same?

These are the two models I´m looking :

Gretsch G6118T Play.Ed. Anniv. CPM

Electric Guitar Professional Collection Series, Style: Hollowbody, Laminated maple body, Laminated maple top, Laminated maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, Pearloid Neo-Classic thumbnail fingerboard inlays, Black purfling, Neck profile: Standard U,...

www.thomann.de

Gretsch G6120TG Nashville Azure

Electric Guitar Player Edition, Construction: Hollowbody, Body: Maple Laminated, Glued-in neck: Maple, Fretboard: Ebony, Thumbnail fretboard inlays, Neck profile: Vintage V, Aged White Binding, Scale length: 624 mm (24.57"), Compound fretboard...

www.thomann.de

Any guidance would be appreciated!

Wow din't know Gretsch had a 6118 in the Players Edition line, but looked it up and it looks pretty cool. I got a 6119 and a 6120TG-DS, and both of 'em are Players Editions.

Regarding your question in the OP, I'm biased 'cause I got a 6120. So I'm gonna recommend a 6120 Nashville because they come with Dynasonics. And I really love the strong, clear, thick sound of the Dynas. Not sure what the HB pickups in the 6118 PE sound like. Good luck in your search.

 

[Merc]

I would never buy a guitar that I didn’t like the color of. Every time I see it I’d be reminded I should’ve waited and bought one I liked. And I’d probably end up playing it less.

As far as differences, the 6120 will likely have a thicker body depth. The 6118 is slightly thinner which you may find more comfortable depending on your size. Since it’s a Players Edition, the 6118 will also come with a Jack plate.

If you prefer ebony over rosewood, there’s another color option there for the 6118 135th anniversary. Price looks to fall in between the two. But seeing how the 140th anniversary is rolling out, you might be able to score a slight discount if you ask. It’s worth a shot.

Gretsch G6118T-135 WC

Electric Guitar 135th Anniversary model, Vintage Select, Hollow body, With cutaway, 3-Ply body: Maple, Body width: 40.64 cm (16"), Body depth: 5.72 cm (2.25"), Trestle bracing, Neck: Maple, Fretboard: Ebony, Neo classic thumbnail inlays, 12"...

www.thomann.de

 

[Glaw]

I’m sure they’re both great guitars. I’d easily go 6120, because It’s a 6120!!!

 

[MrMajstyk]

I’ve had more than my share of vintage and new Gretsch guitars, and the one that does the best for big band, pop country and light rock is whichever one I’m holding at the moment! For what you describe, I think HS Filtertrons will give you more of that one-guitar-fits-all nicely vibe, but the 67s should be ok as well. But, ultimately, you really gotta go with the one that puts a smile on your face the moment you open the case!

 

[southbeck]

Thanks for the help! Doesn´t help with my GAS though. Guess it´s more down to looks between the two models and that they should be fairly similar otherwise. Too bad they don´t come in black or midnight blue. Would really like a more discrete and classy color like the falcon. I prefer the smaller heads on 6120 and 6118 than on falcon though.

 

[diamoroso]

If you're looking for black, have you considered the Brian Setzer G6120T-BSNSH? On the same Thomann site it looks like it's not much more than the Player's Edition 6120. It has the "mud switch" vs a more standard tone knob, not sure if that's a deal breaker for you as it is with some. I like the mud switch actually, though I'm mostly a tone all the way open player to be honest. Here's a link the black Brian Setzer: https://www.thomann.de/se/gretsch_brian_setzer_g6120t_bsnsh_bk.htm

Thanks for the help! Doesn´t help with my GAS though. Guess it´s more down to looks between the two models and that they should be fairly similar otherwise. Too bad they don´t come in black or midnight blue. Would really like a more discrete and classy color like the falcon. I prefer the smaller heads on 6120 and 6118 than on falcon though.

​

 

[southbeck]

If you're looking for black, have you considered the Brian Setzer G6120T-BSNSH? On the same Thomann site it looks like it's not much more than the Player's Edition 6120. It has the "mud switch" vs a more standard tone knob, not sure if that's a deal breaker for you as it is with some. I like the mud switch actually, though I'm mostly a tone all the way open player to be honest. Here's a link the black Brian Setzer: https://www.thomann.de/se/gretsch_brian_setzer_g6120t_bsnsh_bk.htm

​

Thanks for the suggestion! That one sure looks really good. But I don´t think i could do without a tone knob. I guess it would be a quite easy mod though. And the dices as well..

 

[Stefan87]

One of our members @journeyman swaps the tone switch out for a small rotary switch, also the guitars do come with standard knobs included as well, I have a 6120SSL and just changed the knobs over to the standard ones and put the dice ones back in the case.

For Sale - Gretsch 6118T-LTV (Taken off the market)

I've taken this guitar off the market as it's just not a good time to sell. I'll play it for a while and see how we bond.

www.gretsch-talk.com

 

[Henry]

I personally prefer the vintage v neck (feel) and ebony board (mostly looks), but I also wouldn't just get any Gretsch just because they had those features. I also have soft spot for Annis.

 

[AllenK]

I would never buy a guitar that I didn’t like the color of. Every time I see it I’d be reminded I should’ve waited and bought one I liked. And I’d probably end up playing it less.

As far as differences, the 6120 will likely have a thicker body depth. The 6118 is slightly thinner which you may find more comfortable depending on your size. Since it’s a Players Edition, the 6118 will also come with a Jack plate.

If you prefer ebony over rosewood, there’s another color option there for the 6118 135th anniversary. Price looks to fall in between the two. But seeing how the 140th anniversary is rolling out, you might be able to score a slight discount if you ask. It’s worth a shot.

Gretsch G6118T-135 WC

Electric Guitar 135th Anniversary model, Vintage Select, Hollow body, With cutaway, 3-Ply body: Maple, Body width: 40.64 cm (16"), Body depth: 5.72 cm (2.25"), Trestle bracing, Neck: Maple, Fretboard: Ebony, Neo classic thumbnail inlays, 12"...

www.thomann.de

Body depth on an Annie 135 is 2.5". Comes with the HS Filtertrons. The ebony fingerboard is lovely to play. Well worth considering if you can source one of those.

 

[southbeck]

Thanks for input! For now I´m leaning towards the G6118t in vintage white. Seems to check all the boxes. Both looks and spec.

 

[TSims1]

Thanks for input! For now I´m leaning towards the G6118t in vintage white. Seems to check all the boxes. Both looks and spec.

Beautiful guitar

 

[HypotenusLuvTriangle]

Go for the 6120.
The anniversaries are referred to as stripped down nashvilles without the extra stuff like neck binding, headstock binding, etc. as a way to save some cash. That was the original intention anyway.
I have that G6118 you linked, thanks Gretsch-talk!, but man, the G6120 headstock matches the body and there’s binding all around the guitar with an ebony fretboard. That’s the way to go!

 

[southbeck]

Go for the 6120.
The anniversaries are referred to as stripped down nashvilles without the extra stuff like neck binding, headstock binding, etc. as a way to save some cash. That was the original intention anyway.
I have that G6118 you linked, thanks Gretsch-talk!, but man, the G6120 headstock matches the body and there’s binding all around the guitar with an ebony fretboard. That’s the way to go!

Thanks! Yeah, I mean if it wasn´t for the color I would probably go for the 6120. But that azure blue just is too bright for me. And the orange is a classic but not really my thing either. Would have prefered a black or a more dark blue.

 

[Merc]

Thanks! Yeah, I mean if it wasn´t for the color I would probably go for the 6120. But that azure blue just is too bright for me. And the orange is a classic but not really my thing either. Would have prefered a black or a more dark blue.

Since you’re leaning towards that vintage white (Lotus Ivory) and also like darker shades… I wonder if you might like the G6118T-LIV offered a few years ago. Might be able to find a NOS or slightly used one with just a little patience. It’s the same Lotus Ivory but with a metallic charcoal back. I played one at a shop and it looked great in person.

See the pics on here.

Gretsch G6118T-LIV Players Edition Anniversary - 2-tone Lotus Ivory/Charcoal Metallic, Bigsby

Hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Bigsby Tailpiece - 2-tone Lotus Ivory/Charcoal Metallic

www.sweetwater.com