1974 Greco TE-450N Thinline Tele ... EMBOSSED Maxon PU-103 Prototype Wide-Range Humbuckers ... BAKED MAPLE FRETBOARD ... (Made In Japan Lawsuit Era) + GIGBAG

Vanborn Vintage Guitars Presents …

a rare late 1973/ early 1974 Greco TE-450 Thinline — a standout instrument from the golden Japanese lawsuit era.

During the late 1970s, Japanese manufacturers like Greco began producing extremely high-quality instruments that rivaled — and in some cases surpassed — American production standards. These so-called "lawsuit era" guitars became increasingly respected for their craftsmanship and consistency at a time when U.S. production quality was fluctuating.

In many ways, guitars like this Greco TE-450 offer vintage Fender-level build quality — without the Fender price tag. Built by renowned Japanese factories such as Matsumoku and Fujigen, these instruments represent outstanding value, delivering vintage Fender-style quality, craftsmanship, and tone, simply under a different logo on the headstock. This period ultimately led Fender to officially partner with Japanese manufacturers, resulting in the birth of Fender Japan in the early 1980s — a pivotal moment that reshaped Fender’s production strategy and elevated Japanese-built guitars to legendary status.

The guitar features a maple neck with a maple fretboard that has developed a beautiful aged and played in baked maple look over almost 50 years of playing, giving the instrument a naturally aged and authentic vintage appearance. The neck and body feel comfortable and inspiring, both acoustically loud and plugged in.

This TE-450 is equipped with its original EMBOSSED with the Greco logo and PATENT PENDING Maxon PU-103 Wide Range humbuckers from the legendary "U" series. These pickups are from the sought-after prototype line, indicated by the "Patent Pending" engraving and the serial number starting with "13"

The serial numbers begin with "13". The first digit — "1" — identifies these as part of Maxon's early prototype line, while the second digit — "3" indicates that the pickups were manufactured in 1973.

the embossed pickups were used in the guitars leaving the factory in 1974, which could make us conclude that these pickups are some of the earliest units made during the reverse-engineering process of the original Seth Lover Fender Wide Range humbuckers by Maxon.

The pickups deliver a broad, powerful and articulate sound with plenty of character. The bridge pickup has plenty of bite and definition, while the neck pickup provides a warm and full tone with excellent clarity.

All electronics appear original, including wiring, pots, and pickup selector switch. The guitar also retains the Shielding tape is present inside the control cavity.

Cosmetically, the guitar shows usual dings and checking consistent with age (as pictured).

Included with the guitar is a Gigbag — ready to protect your new vintage treasure.

Available for WORLDWIDE shipping with UPS or FEDEX, the shipping cost is calculated automatically in the shopping cart, based on your location. If you're purchasing from inside the EU, your purchase will include VAT.

Combine & Save shipping costs! Adding multiple items from our store in your shopping cart for purchase together, will result in highly discounted shipping rates for everything combined. (for example: a guitar pedal + Vanborn Guitar Picks OR an electric guitar + a guitar pedal OR 3 bags of Vanborn Guitar Picks OR ... the possibilities are endless)

Check out our Reverb feedback rating, we are known for professional safe packaging and fast shipping! Please read our shop policy on used & vintage items we have for sale and send a message if you have any questions, for more pictures or offers!

Cheers!

Vanborn Vintage Guitars

Belgium’s finest vintage & rare guitar store!

Family owned & operated in Sint-Truiden (Est. 2024)