PRE-SALE: Greco EG500 - Sunburst, Lawsuit Era, 1979

PLEASE NOTE! This instrument is presented as a pre-sale item. It will undergo luthier work, including, among other things, polishing of the finish, refurbishment of the metal parts and shielding of the electronics. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. The final price includes the above work. This listing does not constitute a commercial offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code.

About the instrument

The Greco EG500 is a Japanese electric guitar from 1978. The EG series was Greco's line of Les Paul copies, and the number in the model designation corresponded to its position in the maker's price hierarchy. The EG500 model appears in the Greco catalogue of 1978 – it is not yet there in the previous year's edition – which agrees with the dating of this example. The guitar presented here has a mahogany body with a maple top, a Sunburst finish and a factory set of Maxon U-1000 humbuckers.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Greco
• Model: EG500
• Year: 1978
• Body: Mahogany / Maple Top
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22, Standard
• Pickups: 2x Maxon U-1000 Humbucker
• Electronics: Passive (2x Volume, 2x Tone, 3-Way Switch)
• Bridge: Tune-o-Matic, stop-bar tailpiece
• Tuners: Vintage (die-cast, tulip)
• Hardware: Chrome
• Cosmetic condition: Used, 8 out of 10
• Finish: Sunburst
• Weight: 4.19 kg

Body and construction

The Les Paul-style body is made of mahogany with a maple top and finished in Sunburst. The neck of this example is maple. In line with the pre-sale arrangements, the finish and the wooden parts will undergo cleaning and polishing in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.

Neck and playability

The maple neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard carrying 22 frets in standard size. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. This will ensure correct intonation and proper string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.

Sound

The instrument is fitted with two Maxon U-1000 humbuckers in a passive circuit, with separate Volume and Tone controls for each pickup and a three-way switch.

• Character: The U-1000 pickups were built around ferrite magnets and fitted to instruments in this segment of the Greco line. Combined with a mahogany body and a maple top, they give a voice with a clearly pronounced midrange and a clear attack coming from the maple cap.
• Dynamics: The passive electronics respond in proportion to the strength of the picking attack. The planned servicing of the circuit and the shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise.

Additional information

• The Greco brand was run by Kanda Shokai; production was carried out by Matsumoku and – in the case of the EG series – FujiGen Gakki.
• Maxon pickups were made at the Maxon / Nisshin Onpa works. The pickup division was taken over by FujiGen in 1981, which brought this stage of the cooperation with Greco to an end.
• Within the EG series hierarchy a higher model number meant better materials and finishing; the EG500 sat in the middle part of the range.
• Instruments of this kind were built in a period when Japanese makers were producing close copies of American designs, largely aimed at the domestic market.
• The guitar is offered on a pre-sale basis, which makes it possible to reserve this particular example before the full programme of luthier work in our workshop has been completed.

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-o-Matic with a stop-bar tailpiece – a design with individually adjustable saddles, allowing intonation and string height to be set. In line with the scope of work, the hardware will undergo cleaning and refurbishment, and the bridge – a full intonation and string height adjustment.
• Tuners: Vintage, die-cast, with tulip buttons. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.

Condition

• Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the planned luthier work is complete, it will be fully functional mechanically and electronically.
• Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use appropriate to the age of the instrument – details are visible in the photographs.
• Setup and modifications: The planned service work includes: a setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), cleaning and polishing of the frets, cleaning and polishing of the wooden and metal parts, servicing of the electronics.

Why choose this instrument

• A year confirmed by the catalogue: The EG500 makes its debut in the Greco catalogue of 1978, which agrees with the dating of this example.
• Factory Maxon pickups: The U-1000 set is the original factory equipment of instruments in this segment of the EG line, from the period before the pickup division was taken over by FujiGen.
• Pre-sale offer: Buying on a pre-sale basis means you can reserve this particular example and receive it directly after the luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
• Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price the guitar will undergo all the planned preparation work, which removes the need for any further outlay of your own after collection.