Greco SE-800 1976 - Sunburst

1976 Greco SE-800 “Brazen Sounds” Stratocaster – Sunburst – All Original w/ Case, Pamphlet, Leather Greco Strap

A rare and historically significant 1976 Greco SE-800 Stratocaster in classic sunburst finish, made at the FujiGen factory in Japan during the golden age of “lawsuit-era” Fender copies. This example is one of the highest-grade Strat replicas Greco ever produced, featuring solid ash body construction, original Maxon Excel single-coil pickups, original Schaller tuners, and the iconic “Brazen Sounds” headstock logo.

Specs & Features

• Model: SE-800
• Year: 1976 (Serial H763644 – August production, neck plate)
• Finish: Classic 3-tone Sunburst
• Body: Solid Japanese ash (sen), not laminate
• Neck: One piece maple neck, maple fretboard, bolt-on construction
• Tuners: Original Schaller tuners (premium hardware upgrade of the period)
• Pickups: Original Maxon Excel single-coils (stamped, highly collectible, rich vintage tone)
• Electronics: Original 3-way switch, all wiring untouched except input jack (replaced after failure)
• Hardware: Original tremolo bridge, saddles, knobs, and original whammy bar included
• Case: Original fitted hard case included
• Extras: Original 1976 Japanese-language Greco pamphlet + ultra-rare vintage leather Greco strap

Condition

• Playability: A++ playability with freshly installed jumbo frets and recent setup.
• Cosmetics: Honest vintage wear for a 49-year-old instrument. Finish is original with no refin or major alterations. Aside from a couple of minor dings in near perfect shape.
• Electronics: Fully functional; all-original except for a replaced input jack.

Historical Significance

Greco, founded by the Kanda Shokai company in Japan, became legendary in the 1970s and ’80s for producing some of the finest Fender and Gibson replicas ever made. Built at the FujiGen Gakki factory (later home to Fender Japan), these instruments were so accurate and well-crafted that Fender eventually partnered with FujiGen in 1982 to produce official Fender Japan guitars.

The SE-800 was one of Greco’s top-of-the-line Strat models in 1976, distinguished by its solid sen ash body, premium hardware, and Maxon pickups. These were not entry-level copies but professional-grade instruments built to rival and sometimes surpass their American counterparts. Collectors prize these early “Brazen Sounds” headstock models because they capture the spirit of the lawsuit era before design changes were mandated.

Why This Guitar Matters

• High-tier model (SE-800): Much rarer than the more common SE-500/SE-600 models.
• All-original condition: Maxon pickups, Schaller tuners, bridge, whammy bar, case, even the Greco strap.
• Collector provenance: Includes original 1976 pamphlet (all in Japanese) — a rare piece of documentation.
• Vintage tone & vibe: Warm, articulate single-coil sound with the unmistakable resonance of solid Japanese ash.

Summary

This 1976 Greco SE-800 is more than just a Strat copy — it’s a piece of Japanese guitar history. With its solid body, premium hardware, original electronics, and included ephemera, this guitar is a rare opportunity for both collectors and serious players who want the best of the lawsuit era.