Greco is one of the earliest “lawsuit” guitar makers in Japan. They have been making guitars
since the early 1960's primarily at the Fijugen Gakki plant but Kanda Shokai and Matsumoku factories
were also used at various times in their history. Most of the 1960's guitars were original models, but in
the early 1970's, they got into
making replicas of original Fenders and Gibson’s. At first, they didn't
have the hardware to make really good, exact replicas, but by 1974 or so, they had the correct-style hardware to match their
excellent craftsmanship, and they put out some killer replicas. Also, Greco made more clone models of original Fenders, Gibson’s,
Rickenbacker’s, Gretsch’s, Zemaiti’s, lbanez, and other brands, than all other companies combined. They
beat Tokai to the lawsuit race by at least 5 years.
Eventually, as the company found that the demand for their popular
replicas grew and that the size of the production was getting too large, they relinquished their Stratocaster division to
Fender Japan in late 1981.
By 1982, Greco Stratocasters became Fender JV Stratocasters, then later MIJ and CIJ Stratocasters,
made by the same guys who made the Greco "Sparkle Sound," "Spacey Sound " and "Super Real" Stratocasters
from 1977-1981.
Greco still retained the business of selling great Gibson clones and other brand knockoffs of extraordinary
high
quality up until 1988. After that, the pressure to “cease and desist” production of copyright-infringing
designs took its toll on Greco and they decided to change their headstocks and logos to avoid a confrontation with the American
manufacturers. The revised logo lasted for about two years until 1990 until Greco stopped production. The name carried
on a few years later on Chinese made guitars - so caution is the word here.
The originals are becoming extremely rare
and the demand is getting greater by the month for these guitars.
The most collectible by far are the “Super Real”
" Super Real Project Series " and “Mint Collection” (made from 1981-1988) models, which were made
to amazing likeness to original Fenders and Gibson’s. Greco guitars are fairly easy to date . The
letter that (may) begin the serial number corresponds with the month of production, and the next 2 digits tell the year. For
example: E804235 would be a May, 1980 “Super Real” model, production number 4,235. Sometimes, Greco didn’t
use letters and only numbers, and even separated the first digit from the rest on occasion. When the first digit is separated,
it is likely a 1980’s model; the separated digit corresponding to the year of the 1980’s in which it was made.
There was also the odd un numbered guitar and detective work is required to date these such as Logo design etc. The Super Real guitars are from the EGF serial
number series and early mint collection quickly identified by an open O on the Greco Logo on the earlier ones and the flowerpot logo on the later versions. There are of course other
differences. The Greco name has in the past few years been revived and guitars bearing the Greco
Logo of high quality are once more being produced
and in Japan. Apart from that I do not know by whom but having trialed a 335 clone it was quite impressive and jus needs 25 years to
settle in.
Our Opinion:
The guitars of the copy era mid 70's
and upward were great with the top of the range models such as the Super Real and
Mint Collection offering fantatsic value for money and sound investment prospects. The Project Series guitars eg: RS - are
amongst the highest quality manufacture of any guitar anywhere. Beware though of some of the lower end models with not so
great electrics . Also later guitars using the Greco name but made in China.
Useful Greco Links - Click to Open- |
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