1981 Greco Super Real TL-800 Broadcaster Telecaster Vintage Japan

Up for sale, a 1981 Grey Super Real TL-800 Telecaster in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with correct hardshell case.

Leo Fender got it right the first time and this is Greco's tribute to the ultimate in timeless electric guitar design. Greco and Tokai picked up the ball in the 70's and were the first guitar builders to succeed at building full lines of real re-issues of the classic 50's Fender designs. The Greco Super Real series are among the finest in Japanese vintage guitars, built with air-dried tone woods and fully handmade in the pre-computer assisted era. This guitar was built at the height of Greco's quality and expertise and at the same time that Fender was negotiating a contract with Greco to start Fender Japan.

Greco built the Super Real TL-800 in the style of the early Broadcaster guitars. From the one piece body to the V neck profile to the fiery flat pole bridge pickup and all the way down to the flat head screws. The attention to detail and vintage accuracy of this model are unmatched by any other Japanese builder of the era. The combination of vintage accurate components at every level with the effects of age on the wood and the electronics make this a model to rival or exceed any later Fender Custom shop model.

1981 Greco Super Real TL-800 #G111136 July 1981 features:

100% original

7.6lbs total weight.

Light one piece Sen body cut to early blackguard specs and finished in very thin original aged nitrocellulose lacquer. Pickguard is a classic fibre blackguard -no paint tin mark on the back like many original examples.

Original thin cold rolled steel bridge plate is stamped on the front with the serial number. Slot head screws mount bridge to body, Saddles are in the correct style for post 1954 Blackguard. Brass, uncompensated and original to this guitar. All other body hardware is correct including the nickel control plate, domed Broadcaster knurled knobs, recessed jack socket, neck plate, strap buttons and every single slot head screw.

The pickups are excellent. Different than most Tele pickups, and different to the early 50’s Tele pickups as they are simply gutsier with a fantastic bite. The bridge pickup is the original 1981 Dimarzio Pre B-1. The first reissue boutique pickup to attempt a Broadcaster style bridge tone. This is a classic early Broadcaster style Alnico V wound to a high output like the early Broadcaster bridge pickup. A concept since recreated by all the quality boutique winders notably the Klein Broadcaster, the Don Mare 0038 and the Joe Bonamassa $8500 signature Broadcaster bridge pickup. This pickup is a classic Broadcaster wind. Very full and wide. The flat pole pickup allows for a higher output overall than other Tele bridge pickups, offering a greater bass response on the lower strings and an increased presence in the overall tone. The neck pickup is original alnico Maxon T-5 and wound to match the output of the bridge pickup nicely. Wiring is setup in the post 1952 three position setup. Forward is the neck with muted tone for jazz playing and faux bass. Middle is the neck with a normal tone circuit. Rear is the bridge with normal tone circuit. This can be easily switched to the '50-52 blend circuit setup to eliminate the muted option and to allow for blending in the neck to the bridge at will. After 42 years of aging, no harshness or brittleness is present. The results are a glassy, bold, and rude when-you-want-it tones from this most versatile of electric guitars. This guitar will cover every style of music short of metal. From classic country, blues, soul and hard funk to every type of classic and avant jazz and rock from Chuck Berry, The Stones, Tom Petty and into many 90's rock sounds. This Super Real is begging for a PAF in the neck position to match up with the bridge unit. We just didn't have the courage to alter the guitar.

The neck is the heart of this guitar and is a real tribute to the Blackguard. One piece maple 1950-51 Hard V neck measuring .94" at the first fret and 1.02" at the twelfth fret. These measurements are very close to 1950 Broadcaster #0081 in the Nacho Banos Blackguard Book charts and it is obvious Greco were working from real early Fender examples as their references in 1980-81. No worn areas on the fingerboard, very clean. Truss rod turns and appears to have plenty of life left. Edges of the neck are naturally rolled and softened. No worn areas on the fingerboard, very clean. On its original slender fretwork this TL-800 plays well and shows a moderate fret wear to the crowns on strings 4-6 through the 9th fret. The guitar plays cleanly up the neck with no dead spots or fretting out. If you are interested in new frets, we are happy to arrange to have new frets of your choosing installed by a pro for you here in Seattle after the sale if you live somewhere where this service is not easily available. Original lacquer on the back of the neck is smooth, unworn and glossy with the exception of a small line of separation on the edge of the skunk stripe, not a hindrance to play, can be easily filled with lacquer (see photo) for cosmetics. The tuners are original Greco stamped Kluson style tuners. We cleaned and lubricated this set with a teflon lubricant they feel great and are operating well. Greco correct and original logo decal is present on the headstock. Very nice deep carve from the nut to the face level of the headstock.

Overall a fine and original example of this earliest Blackguard tribute or re-issue of one of the greatest electric guitars of all time. The Super Real era Greco TL-800’s are highly sought after. The good vintage Japanese guitars are going up in price as the Japanese really start to appreciate these models. Get them while you can!

We feel the Japanese Golden era guitars are the best value in a true vintage guitar.

Handmade with old wood and aged pickups and electronics:

50's Broadcaster -$40-60,000

79-81 Greco TL-800 Super Real-$1400-2000

79-81 Tokai Breezysound TE-80 or 85-$1800-2500

Fender Japan early eighties (CNC made-do not have vintage accurate neck profiles):

JV TL 52-65 Polyester finish-$2800

JV TL 52-95 Lacquer Finish- $3350

CNC made with new wood and new pickups:

Fender Broadcaster 70th Anniversary: $2000

Fender Custom Shop Broadcaster $3700-8,000

Boutique new wood:

Nacho Blackguard: $7000-9000

Hahn Blackguard: $3500-5500

Please let us know if you have questions regarding this guitar.

We will ship this to you in a quality Japanese, period-correct yellow lined Fender sixties replica hard case. We pack professionally and ship the next business day.

Thank you to all of our customers!