(SOLD) Greco Super Sounds TD500 Mocha Brown 1976
Greco TD500, mocha brown, made in 1976. 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. Meanwhile, over in Japan, Greco were making exceptional Fender-style guitars, built to a brilliant standard largely by hand and showing up some of the inconsistencies in the USA-made instruments. This dates to 1976, so it didn't take long for those then 'new' designs to pop up across the pacific. It's a beautifully executed instrument: the neck is a gorgeous piece of maple, arrow straight and super comfy, and the body is lightweight and super resonant. The Maxon pickups are a pretty accurate replica of the original Fender offering, so this has a superb tone to it. It's thick, juicy and warm through the lows with a satisfying punchy attack, with a pronounced hump in the midrange that'll push a Vox or Marshall amp in exactly the right direction and a chiming, clear 'twang' on the top end. It's an amazing rhythm guitar, big chords sound huge and lush, plus it'll easily transition in and out of lead lines while maintaining poise and balance. I very nearly kept this for myself, so scoop it up before I change my mind... they're not easy to come by these days!
Model: Greco TD500
Made: Japan, 1976 (serial L763123)
Finish: mocha brown, black sides, gloss poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: birch
Neck: 1-piece maple w/ skunk stripe, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.560kg
Mods: string ferrules replaced
Pickups: Maxon PU-103 'Wide Range' style humbucker x2
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end and bottom edge and a little ding on the bottom side of the rounded end section. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some dimples on the back and some rub wear on the edges of the board. The back has a little dent near the ferrules as well as marks from where the ferrules were replaced, as well as widespread light scuffs and dimples around the body. The sides have some dimples and little chips on the top horn, some scuffs in the elbow area, a few little chips and an additional hole near the rear strap pin, as well as some chips along the edge near the jack and light scuffs and dimples along the whole edge. The front has a chip on the top edge in the elbow area, as well as widespread scuffs around the body and some play wear on the guard and top horn. 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. The frets have some minor wear but are in good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.