VIDEO! 1974 Greco SE-500S Stratocaster (MADE IN JAPAN Lawsuit Era + Gigbag) ... Matsumoku Built – Pre-Serial Vintage

DEMO Video available (attached to this listing and on our YouTube page)

Vanborn Vintage Guitars Presents …

A beautiful and increasingly collectible Greco SE-500 in classic Sunburst, most likely dating from 1974, built during the early golden era of Japanese craftsmanship. This pre-serial number example comes from the highly desirable early Matsumoku-built period, offering authentic vintage tone, feel, and historical significance.

This Greco SE-500 is most likely from 1974, based on several period-correct construction features.

The 1973 models typically featured multi-piece maple necks, while 1974 marked the introduction of the more accurate one-piece maple neck construction. This example features exactly that one-piece maple neck, supporting a 1974 production date.

The 1974 models were also slightly lighter in weight, making them feel more familiar to players accustomed to vintage Fender Stratocaster guitars. This change reflected Greco’s move toward more period-correct mid-1960s specifications.

Additionally, this guitar features the star engraving at the last fret, another detail commonly associated with 1974 Greco SE-series instruments.

Finally, the guitar does not feature a serial number on the neck plate, confirming that this is definitely a pre-1975 example, from the early Matsumoku-era production.

These details place this instrument firmly in one of the most desirable early Greco production periods.

During the 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 SE-500 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 pivot

This SE-500 delivers classic mid-1960s Strat-style tones, inspired by the golden era of the Fender Stratocaster — roughly comparable to circa 1966 specifications, famously associated with Jimi Hendrix.

The pickups and wiring seem to have been replaced somewhere in it's +50 years of life, this custom pickup set offers an impressive tonal range:

• The neck pickup delivers warm, expressive tones from smooth blues to soaring leads
• The bridge pickup is wound slightly hotter for added bite and thickness
• Rolling back the volume to around 8.5 on the bridge pickup cleans up beautifully
• The in-between positions offer wide, scooped tones ideal for funk, blues, and classic rock

These early Greco guitars are known for their lively acoustic resonance, dynamic response, and authentic vintage character.

The guitar features original Gotoh-produced tuners, built for Greco during this period, adding to the authenticity and vintage appeal.

The guitar weighs 3.7 kg (≈ 8.16 lbs) — very comfortable and nicely balanced, so it feels great whether you’re sitting or standing.

Compared to many working guitars from the 1970s, this example has aged gracefully, showing only minor dings and scratches consistent with age. (as pictured) The Sunburst finish has aged beautifully, giving the instrument genuine vintage character.

This instrument looks, feels, and responds like a true vintage guitar — because it is one.

A proper vintage workhorse with real soul

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

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Cheers!

Vanborn Vintage Guitars

Belgium’s finest vintage & rare guitar store!

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