(SOLD) Greco TD500 Mocha Brown 1974
Greco TD500, mocha brown, made in Japan 1974. 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 one was made in 1974, referencing the then-pretty-new Tele Deluxe. It arrived in reasonable condition in terms of the finish and frets, but with no guard, hardware or electronics. Our handsome house tech sourced a new bridge at great pains (the holes are spaced at 50mm, an unusual size) and a new guard, and we used some parts we had stashed for a rainy day: a set of Greco Screamin' humbuckers and some 80s Fender Japan tuners. He then wired it all up with tasty Alpha pots, orange drop caps and cloth wire, so it's tidy as heck under the hood.... back from the brink. It's come up playing and sounding remarkable, I really like it. The neck is a beefy D style shape with plenty of girth in the back, so it's conducive to big juicy chords. The pickups aren't the same as a Wide Range style, they're closer to a mildly-overwound PAF. They're a great match for the guitar: breathy, clear and sparkly on top, with a juicy darkness and thump when you dig in hard. It's great if you're crossing between lead and rhythm parts, everything comes out sounding big and full with plenty of character and life. The mocha brown is perfectly 70s, with a fun little bit of grain on show and a pleasing contrast against the golden maple board. It took me all of five seconds to fall in love with this one, I reckon you'll have the same experience... sigh.
Model: Greco TD500
Made: Japan, 1974-5 (no serial, dated by logos/hardware/catalog)
Finish: mocha brown, black sides, gloss poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: birch
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 12" radius, 25.5" scale, fat D shape
Weight: 3.615kg
Mods: tuners, pickguard and bridge replaced, fully re-wired with replaced pickups, new switch, 250k Alpha pots, orange drop capacitors, Switchcraft jack
Pickups: Maxon 80s era Screamin' humbucker x2
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end, bottom edge, back and front near the logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back and some play wear on the board only. The back has a decent chip near the neck plate, dimples in the elbow area and back edge, some chips on the edge near the jack and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor dimples and scuffs around the whole body and some chips in the elbow area. The front has a chip near the neck tone knob, dimples on the back edge and elbow area and some play wear on the horns. The pickup covers have plenty of natural aging. 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 normal wear but are in good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.