Greco JB500S, sunburst, made in Japan circa 1974. This thing sounds enormous. Greco kicked off in the late 60s, and by the mid 70s it was really starting to come together in terms of build quality and sound. This one is early enough to be quirky: the 'Gneco' logo, slightly wonky belly and elbow carves and the skinny neck plate are all deviations that became more accurate to the USA originals in subsequent years. It looks awesome: the aged maple board with the rude block inlays, the grain of the sen ash under the sunburst, the well-worn metal parts and the vintage tort guard all lend this a certain swagger. The neck is on the chunky side for a jazz, but straight and stable and pretty comfortable in the hands. The real fun is the tone: it's so thick and juicy. The neck pickup sounds like a vintage Precision Bass, it's got heaps of growl and girth and punch. The bridge pickup is snarly and aggressive, adding detail and grind. The wiring has that vintage thing where the pickups seem slightly out of phase with both volumes at ten, so the beefiest tone is with the volumes set at ten and eight approx, or you can get a spanky snap with them both dimed. It's hard to describe just how huge this sounds: it might lack a bit of the nuance and zing of a modern bass, but it has this expansive, warm low end and thick walloping midrange that just absolutely rules. Stick your Gneck out and gnab it.

Model: Greco JB500S
Made: Japan, 1974 approx (no serial, dated by logo and catalog)
Finish: sunburst, gloss urethane
Body: sen ash
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 12" radius, 34" scale
weight: 4.170kg
Mods: re-wired, tone cap replaced, ashtray covers removed and missing
Pickup: Greco JB-style single coil x2
Case: basic vintage hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs on the end and bottom edge, as well as some small dents on the back on the curve towards the nut. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has some scuffs on the top and bottom horn and the belly carve, as well as some dimples in the elbow area and some small chips on the bottom edge in the corner and waist areas. The sides have dimples on both horns, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and some scuffs near the jack. The front has scuffs on the top horn, elbow area and behind the bridge, extra screws from the removed bridge cover, pitting on the chrome and some standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear, they appear recently dressed and levelled, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.