Greco SA800, wine red, made in Japan 1978. By the mid 1970s, Greco were one of a handful of Japanese brands producing Gibson-style guitars to a truly exceptional standard: they were delivering knockout guitars and showing the American factories a thing or two about consistency and attention to detail. This sublime creature dates to 1978, right in the thick of that era, and it's really quite a remarkable guitar. This borrows some design elements from Gibson's 70s era ES-345: semi-hollow centre block construction, crown inlay on the headstock, split parallelogram inlays, gold hardware, rotary tone switch. The lightly aged wine red over the unique details of the flame maple body is quite something to behold: it looks great from across the room, and even better up close. Paired with the aged gold hardware, yellowed binding and dark rosewood board, this radiates luxury. The neck is straight and stable, owing in part to the typical 70s three ply construction, and carved to a comfy slim 60s style shape. The body has plenty of natural volume and resonance, so even unplugged, this feels lively and responsive. Into an amp, it's alluring: smooth and gooey with assertive natural sustain, an inviting warmth on the top end and more complexity through the midrange than a Tolstoy novel. The balance of eloquence and warmth is very satisfying, everything you play comes out sounding so full of life. It's worth noting the SA800 was a higher end offering than the SA500/550/700 models that are a little easier to come across; this is the first one we've managed to score. Fine wine time... sublime. 

Model: Greco SA800
Made: 1978, Japan, Fujigen Gakki (serial H784944)
Finish: wine red, gloss poly
Body: laminate maple, semi-hollow with centre block, 408mm width, 42mm depth
Neck: 3-piece maple, rosewood board, 43mm at nut, 24.75" scale, 15" radius, slim 60s shape
Weight: 3.745kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Maxon PU-2 humbucker x2
Case: basic non-original hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and bottom edge and some light scuffs on the front around the logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has light scuffs in the middle of the body, the back edge and elbow area, as well as some dimples on the bottom edge and horns. The sides have minor scuffs on the top horn, elbow area and near the knobs. The front has some minor dimples around the knobs, behind the tailpiece and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).

Playing condition notes: The neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have been recently levelled and dressed and have plenty of height left, 7/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 11/49 strings.