Back from Japan, NGD!

[errrrrl]

So I managed to slip away from the fam and explore all the guitar shops at the Ochanomizu area on our Japan vacation. I have never seen so many guitars in one area before in my life. They had every type of guitar I have ever heard of practically in all shapes and sizes. I ended up taking home and old 1980 Greco EG500C LP copy. I totally didn't need another MIJ LP but this thing just sort of stood out to me in a sea of guitars. It was the only LP I seen this color and when I played it it felt brand spanking new and had zero fret ware... can't believe this guitar is 39 years old.

Haven't had a chance to plug'in and get stupid yet but I will soon.

 

[stratjacket]

Cool man, welcome back !!
Loved my 2 days of exploration there last month. So many shops and it's like Christmas morning, never know what you might find.

 

[errrrrl]

Cool man, welcome back !!
Loved my 2 days of exploration there last month. So many shops and it's like Christmas morning, never know what you might find.

Thanks dude! Yeah it was kind of overwhelming. So many directions I could have went. The ESP Custom shop guy at Big Boss walked me thru the whole process and thru the whole store lol. He said the ESP custom shops started at 6k, would take about 6 to 8 months but they could not ship it outside of Japan. I would have had to arrange getting it myself... which wouldn't be too big a deal... it was that starting at 6k thing held me back. One day though.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Congrats on your new axe. Looks killer!!

 

[errrrrl]

Congrats on your new axe. Looks killer!!

Thanks dude!

 

[Kordoba]

Hot stuff!

Congrats on the new guitar!!

 

[errrrrl]

Hot stuff!

Congrats on the new guitar!!

THanks man!

 

[Speeddemon]

Sweet!
Has the big split diamond headstock inlay too!

Which most of the later Super Real Customs 'Mint Collection' Greco Les Pauls don't have anymore.
Those look more like a split-tulip type of thingy:

 

[mooncobra]

My friend has an early 80s Greco, and it is amazing, easily as good if not better than any les paul I have played. congrats!

 

[bhuard75]

Cant wait to hear the next tune you write playing that guitar!!

 

[errrrrl]

Sweet!
Has the big split diamond headstock inlay too!

Which most of the later Super Real Customs 'Mint Collection' Greco Les Pauls don't have anymore.
Those look more like a split-tulip type of thingy:

Thats nice too. I seen some like that in the stores usually black or white. That place has everything lol.

My friend has an early 80s Greco, and it is amazing, easily as good if not better than any les paul I have played. congrats!

Yeah this thing hold its own for sure. The pickups sound ok too, not sure whats in it yet.

Cant wait to hear the next tune you write playing that guitar!!

Thanks man! Gonna have to wait til I do my taxes lol. Should have done them before I left lol

 

[alan67]

Awesome! Looks like it has some serious mojo

 

[Speeddemon]

Yeah this thing hold its own for sure. The pickups sound ok too, not sure whats in it yet.

Yeah, only if the ones in there (by miracle) are the 'Dry Z' types, don't change them. But highly unlikely since the EG500 series is rather mid-end and Dry Z and 'Screamin' pickups were only used in the higher end models.

Good info:
https://japtone.com/en/chapter-i-greco- ... pickups-2/


If it's anything like my Burny's (same era), a 36th Anniv PAF neck (or Air Norton) from DiMarzio will do it justice...in the bridge Duncan SH-14 Custom 5, DiMarzio Norton, Super D, SH-16 Custom 59/Hybrid... all work well.

 

[Racerxrated]

So I managed to slip away from the fam and explore all the guitar shops at the Ochanomizu area on our Japan vacation. I have never seen so many guitars in one area before in my life. They had every type of guitar I have ever heard of practically in all shapes and sizes. I ended up taking home and old 1980 Greco EG500C LP copy. I totally didn't need another MIJ LP but this thing just sort of stood out to me in a sea of guitars. It was the only LP I seen this color and when I played it it felt brand spanking new and had zero fret ware... can't believe this guitar is 39 years old.

Haven't had a chance to plug'in and get stupid yet but I will soon.

Congrats man! I just got a 1980 Super Power EG 500 also, got here Monday after the dude shipped it on the previous thursday, crazy fast shipping from Japan. I think you have a higher model though, as the 500 doesn't have binding on the headstock. Maybe the 700? There's a catalog on the net somewhere, it'll also tell you what pups you have. The 500 came with Super 70 pups, called U 1000. All pup were made by Maxon up till 82 when they started making their own. Another fun fact is the production of these were all hand made, luthier instead of CNC which didn't start till 81 or 82..so each neck profile is gonna be unique.
Edit: The EG 500C did come with binding on the hs and the split diamond as well. There's a 1980 Greco catalog translation somewhere, and that will tell which model exactly as it has all the finish options for each model.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Has the big split diamond headstock inlay too!

That jumped out at me too, love it...and the whole guitar for that matter!! Congrats

 

[errrrrl]

Awesome! Looks like it has some serious mojo

Thanks Alan! It has something for sure.

Yeah, only if the ones in there (by miracle) are the 'Dry Z' types, don't change them. But highly unlikely since the EG500 series is rather mid-end and Dry Z and 'Screamin' pickups were only used in the higher end models.

Good info:
https://japtone.com/en/chapter-i-greco- ... pickups-2/


If it's anything like my Burny's (same era), a 36th Anniv PAF neck (or Air Norton) from DiMarzio will do it justice...in the bridge Duncan SH-14 Custom 5, DiMarzio Norton, Super D, SH-16 Custom 59/Hybrid... all work well.

Thanks for the link. That was an interesting read. Do you happen to know if normal LP pickup rings will fit a Greco? I know my Orvilles don't work with standard Gibson PU rings off the shelf. I'm kicking myself now for not grabbing some pickups rings that would fit for sure while I was there. The neck PU ring has some cracks around the screws and i'm wondering if I unscrew it if it will break... Maybe it's a good excuse for me to go back to Japan

Congrats man! I just got a 1980 Super Power EG 500 also, got here Monday after the dude shipped it on the previous thursday, crazy fast shipping from Japan. I think you have a higher model though, as the 500 doesn't have binding on the headstock. Maybe the 700? There's a catalog on the net somewhere, it'll also tell you what pups you have. The 500 came with Super 70 pups, called U 1000. All pup were made by Maxon up till 82 when they started making their own. Another fun fact is the production of these were all hand made, luthier instead of CNC which didn't start till 81 or 82..so each neck profile is gonna be unique.
Edit: The EG 500C did come with binding on the hs and the split diamond as well. There's a 1980 Greco catalog translation somewhere, and that will tell which model exactly as it has all the finish options for each model.

Wow, so this thing is most likely hand made? That might explain the mojo this thing has. I'm gonna start googling Greco's and see what else I can dig up. Thanks for the info!

Has the big split diamond headstock inlay too!

That jumped out at me too, love it...and the whole guitar for that matter!! Congrats

Sankyu beddy much!

 

[thenine]

dig that truss rod cover - Super Real Custom

 

[Speeddemon]

dig that truss rod cover - Super Real Custom

Doesn't his say 'Super Power Custom'?

 

[Racerxrated]

dig that truss rod cover - Super Real Custom

Doesn't his say 'Super Power Custom'?

I think he's referring to your pic of the Mint Collection headstock...