Greco TD500 Mocha Brown 1974

Greco TD500 Mocha Brown 1974

Greco TD500, mocha brown, made in Japan 1974-5. The Telecaster Deluxe model launched in 1972, alongside the Tele Thinline and Tele Custom, all showcasing Fender's new Wide Range humbucking pickups designed by former Gibson pickup wizard Seth Lover. It didn't take long at all for a similar trio of Teles to pop up in Japan under Greco's rising brand name; this was made just a couple of years after. These mid-70s Greco F-style guitars are a little quirkier than the more accurate reproductions of USA models made later that decade, but it certainly has some charms. The 'Gneco' logo, star tuners, star stamped fretboard, Greco embossed pickup covers and the fat D shape neck had all changed by 1976, but those details lend this guitar a certain charm. The neck is pretty big: not a baseball bat, but certainly a generous round profile with plenty to hold on to. The body is well balanced and resonant, with plenty of natural volume played unplugged. The pickups are pretty great: sparkly gregarious highs with heaps of tuneful shimmer, wide smooth midrange with a tasty rasp and an immediate, assured low end. It's great for singer-songwriter rhythm parts or midwest emo lead/rhythm crossover type playing, the natural balance and detail make this a very pleasant guitar to listen to. The brown finish and bold black logos are quintessentially 70s, lending a brash charisma to the classic Tele curves. I would wager this serves as both a fun daily player and a sneaky little investment: they're not getting any easier to find, that's for sure.

Model: Greco TD500
Made: Japan, Matsumoku factory, 1974-5
Serial: none
Finish: mocha brown. gloss poly
Body: birch, sandwich join
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 25.5" scale, 12" radius, chunky 70s D profile
Weight: 3.495kg
Mods: frets and nut replaced
Pickups: Greco stamped Maxon PU-103 'Wide Range' style humbucker x2
Accessories: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs and dimples on the end, dimples on the edges and some stand/hanger burn around the nut/join area. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and some dimples on the back, evidence of a bit amateur of sanding/rounding on the edge of the board and some fading around the frets on the board. The back has dimples in the elbow area, middle of the body and belly carve, as well as scuffs around the whole body, most notably in the elbow area. The sides have minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body as well as some dents in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has some scuffs around the bridge, knobs and back edge, dimples and rub wear in the elbow area and some paly wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear, appear to be recently replaced