tempted!! help - advice sought :)

[andi.j]

so i was trawling the net at work, i mean, 'at home' and came across this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110723093531&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

always wanted a shiny black les paul but the 3pup black beauty doesn't work for me...

anyway, this is allegedly of 1980s vintage and i was hoping someone might have some experience in old greco's

any advice/comments welcome - i'd be tempted to upgrade some bits (pups etc...) if it's worth it.

cheers :D

[Madsakre]

Loomer had one that looked like a Custom once.. Such a nice guitar. He still regrets to this day that he sold it.

[Telerocker]

They are known as quality-guitars on par with old Tokai's and Burny's. The price is on the low side for a (real) Greco. I would check if the guitar has/had a headcrack or other faults. If not, grab it. Looks a bargain to me.

[Philly Q]

It will be a decent guitar, for sure.  And it's in the UK, which means you won't have to pay expensive shipping charges and import VAT.

The only "problem" with these older MIJ guitars is that they made a lot of very similar-looking models at different price points.  The model names usually tell you how much they cost at the time; unfortunately, the model names aren't written on the guitars.  So it's very hard to tell if you're looking at a low-end Greco or a high-end Greco.

Tokai and Edwards still use basically the same system.  Look at all the different "Love Rock" models Tokai make, costing anything from about £300 to £1,500.  For example I had a Tokai SG-75 and an SG-155.  Both made in Japan, they look and feel almost the same, but the SG-155 has a one-piece body, US pots and caps, a nitro finish, better hardware etc.... and costs twice as much.

So.... I'd do all the research you can, see if there are any "clues" to help you work out exactly which model this might be.  Not because you may end up with a turkey, but because you may end up paying over the odds.

[BigB]

Can only second Philly Q here. FWIW, I recently played an early 80s ES-345 Greco copy, and it was a very great guitar - but was  one of the hi-end ones, that sells for  €1000 or more (IIRC that one finally selled for €1200 - was almost mint). The pups were not on par with BKPs (decent but nothing more), but the wood and craftmanship were just top-notch. I would have bought it (could have it for €900) if I had the money.

Anyway: first ask what exact model it is and google for more informations.

[andi.j]

thanks for the responses - they're much appreciated

i'll heckle the seller for some details and trawl the net before jumping in - besides, i guess i should learn self control and restraint at some point! :)

[clivey]

I have a late 80's Greco LP Custom, which is a fantastic guitar and well worth the £300 I payed for it.

The main problem with the one you are looking at is that it has no serial number - you have to watch out with these ones, cause there was a period in the late 80's where serial numbers dissapeared and a number of low end Grecos were made in Korea rather than Japan. Probably still fine guitars, but not worth the same as a Japanese model and tricky to tell the difference.

The one way I believe you can tell is if you get pictures of the wiring - Japanese made Greco LPs should have silver braided wire, the Korean ones tend not too; also, if the the pots are marked 'Cor -Teck' that's a dead giveaway.

Of course, just to add to confusion, a number of no serial Grecos were made in Japan by Tokai. You really could be buying anything!

Here's a good place to find out more info on all of this:
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10362