Gretsch 6187 Viking

1967

Brooklyn,NY USA

21 Frets plus zero fret.

Three controls(all volume)and three pick up selectors plus one mute(string damper)control.

Supertron 1 humbucker at bridge and Supertron 2 humbucker at neck.

1 7/8 inch deep all maple body. Bound ebony fingerboard,half moon markers with offset dot markers from 15th fret. "T" Zone tempered Treble slanted frets from 15th fret onward.

Model #6187 in brown sunburst.

17 inch wide Double cutaway body style.

Space Saver bridge.

Floating Tuning Fork Bridge.

Non locking gold plated kidney style Grovers.

Way ahead of it's time in terms of features. Now, if it only had synth access like my Godin...

The sound is very good for what I do as a rhythm guitarist.

I use it through a Fender Twin or a Kustom 100 with a little reverb and a phaser once in a while.

It's only noisy when the switches or plug starts to get dirty. Clean them up, and it's quiet as can be.

The sound is generally rich and full, as opposed to bright.

It would be better to have a bass and treble control instead of a tone switch, but it's not that difficult to get the tone you want.

This is the second one I've owned, someone decided they liked my first one more than I did. I'm still looking for it. That was a 1967 6188 Natural. It takes more time to do a setup because of the tuning fork bridge, but it has great sustain and it's always felt good in my hands.

Didn't get it from the factory. Had to do the setup myself.

A few minor scratches due to normal wear and tear, but I think it's beautiful.

The action is superb and I can tune it on a Friday night and not have to tune it again for days.

It was made in Brooklyn, NY in 1967. Hasn't needed any major work done on it. All original hardware, all original finish.

Strap buttons were an early attempted at strap locks. Solid as a rock.

42 years old and still going strong? I'd call it dependable. I have absolutely no qualms about using it on a gig without a backup.

Never had to use them, even with my first one.

I started playing shortly after this particular guitar was made. If it were lost or stolen, I'd wait a bit, but I'd probably get another.

I love playing it and hate carrying it. It seems to be a lot heavier in your hand than on your shoulder.

I won't bore every one by listing all my gear, but here's a sample:
Godin LGXT
1968 Gretsch Nashville (with the painted F holes)
Godin Redline Prototype
Fender 12 string Acoustic Electric
Godin A12
Godin A4 Bass with Synth Access

Mfg. Circa 1971, therefore a Baldwin Gretsch - mfg. in the USA
Totaly stock right down to the tuning fork bridge and mute. Not always the most useful frills, but that is the way they made them. A gorgoious instrument from any perspective. The best Tremolo there has ever been. Bigsby, does the job within it design limits. It was meant to vary the string pitch somewhat, not dive or extend it a couple of notes, but true tremelo.
I have had others play it and say it is not a rockers guitar, but I would beg to differ since I have seen and heard what Brian Setzer can do with a Gretsch with Bigsby.

Great blues and Rock-a-Billy guitar as well as Jazz and progressing instrument per Chris Isaac. Nothing sounds like a Gretsch, nothing plays like a Gretsch.

Guitar was used and purchased some years back.

I have been playing since the early 60's, but not professionally since about 1966. The guitar is unique. It has to be as rare as a White Falcon or Penquin maybe.
The Gretsch sound is the sound. Just like a Strat or a Tele, you can
tell. It is clean, crisp and unique. Nothing sounds like a Gretsch.

Made 1967 in USA

The Previous poster stated all the features that mine has.

It covers Jazz and Country Very Well! Less suitable for Metal.

I use it through a Fender 65' Twin Reissue, or Peavey 50-410.

It's Not Noisy at all.

The 3 position Tone Switch is a bit muddy on the bass setting, but the other two are nice. A Tone Cap change would fix that.


I give it a 10 because it's made to sound a certin way and it does it very well!

I bought it used, but I have the original setup instructions and it is very informative.

Pickups can be adjusted for distance and tone easily.

There are no factory flaws. Fit and Finish is Superb!

I've been playing it Live for years. It's been a good one for me with no issues.

Hardware is TOP NOTCH and will last longer that me.

There is Nothing cooler than a well aged/played guitar! It has real MoJo.

I play many styles and this guitar covers Jazz and Country well. I, also, us a Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster.

These old Gretsch Guitars were made by artists in their field. Mine will last as long as it's respected as it was when created.

I've never needed the company.

Warranty is long gone... 3 years after new... 1970, I think.

I've played guitar since 1962. I've owned too many guitars and amps to mention... still own a lot of em.

I'd buy another one if I didn't have it any more. It's a Fine tool.

I like that it's the most solid hollow body guitar I've every played. It's stable and never dissapoints me. I like the Bigsby solid control. I don't need "Dive Bomber Vibrola" for Jazz/Country... Slight variance in the right place sounds sweet.

I've used Gibson 335 and L-5. They are all different in good ways.

Other than the muddy tone switch in one position... it's a Great Guitar.

1967

Brooklyn,NY USA

21 Frets plus zero fret.

Three controls(all volume)and three pick up selectors plus one mute(string damper)control.

Supertron 1 humbucker at bridge and Supertron 2 humbucker at neck. Patent #2892371.

1 7/8 inch deep all maple body. Bound ebony fingerboard,half moon markers with offset dot markers from 15th fret. "T" Zone tempered Treble slanted frets from 15th fret onward.

Model #6187 in brown sunburst. Model #6188 in natural and model #6189 in Cadillac green

17 inch wide Double cutaway body style.

Space control bridge.

Non locking gold plated kidney style Grovers.

Thin neck.

Accesories: Floating Sound Unit between mute and bridge,stand by switch,Bigsby vibrato tailpiece,gold plated "Viking" nameplate on headstock,"Viking" logo on Gretsch pick guard,padded back.

This 1967 Gretsch Viking is the ultimate and most comfortable rhythm guitar for me. It is PERFECT for my style of music which is 1960's-1970's Pop/Rock. I play it through a 1972 Fender Twin Reverb amp. Unless there is a short somewhere,there is no detectable noise that I can hear. A RICH/FULL sound with loads of bottom. When using both pickups,it can have a very soft tone or in treble mode,a heavier driving sound. When you play CHORDS on this guitar,you FEEL the bottom pulsating in your head and chest. EXACTLY what I look for as a rhythm player. I do not like the heel under the neck. Makes it hard to hit the high notes and I don't care for the muddier settings on the pick up selectors. Everything else is wonderful. It looks incredible too.

The action is wonderful. I bought the guitar used in 2000 so I have no clue about factory settings and all that. Recently,I had it worked on by Mandolin Brothers. Since then it plays and sounds much nicer. The finish is beautiful. A smooth brown to tan sunburst. As I mentioned before,it is a VERY comfortable guitar to play.

This is my favorite electric to play live. The hardware will last. Strap buttons are VERY solid. Very dependable. I have used it many times without a backup but I don't strictly use the Viking alone. I have the 12 string Rick and a 12 string Guild jumbo acoustic as well. The only problem with the finish,as is the case with many vintage Gretsch guitars,is the binding is crumbling but not to the point where it is disintegrating in my hands.

I have been playing for 20 years. I have a Roger McGuinn 12 string Rickenbacker,two 12 string Guild jumbo acoustics(JF-30 for shows & JF-65 for recording),a Dan Electro,1962 Gretsch Country Club and a 1966 Gretsch Country Gentleman. I had no qualms about buying a 1967 Gretsch Viking. If it were stolen,I'd try to find the moron that took it,slap his face silly and get the guitar back. If not,then yes,I would buy another 1967 Gretsch Viking. I LOVE the overall LOOK and SOUND of this guitar! It just fits PERFECTLY in my arms too! Except for that annoying heel,I do not dislike this guitar at all. My favorite feature is the 17 inch body. HUGE! I did compare it to other VINTAGE Gretsch guitars Country Gentlemans,Tennesseans,Country Clubs and of course,a White Falcon. I chose the Viking because of it's playability,it's sound and all it's features(same stuff as a White Falcon)and because all the idiot guitar collectors have ruined all hopes of buying a vintage 1960's Gretsch White Falcon at a decent price anytime soon. I love my 1967 Gretsch Viking. I tour Scandinavia on a regular basis. This guitar has yet to see that region but when it does,how appropriate it will be..................