(SOLD) Greco M600 Mirage Black 1980
Greco M600 Mirage, black, made in Japan 1980. My oh my, this is outstanding. The Greco Mirage shares a lot of DNA with the Ibanez Iceman. In the mid 70s, Ibanez were moving away from doing Fender and Gibson copies, and around 1975 in a meeting with folks from Greco, Ibanez and Fujigen Gakki, the iconic Iceman shape was born. Ibanez had the rights to sell the shape outside Japan, dubbed 'Iceman' from 1978, while Greco had the rights to sell inside Japan, calling their line 'Mirage'. Paul Stanley of KISS was habitually using an Iceman from 1977-80, and again in the 90s, and his original PS-10 signature model used the same body shape. This one was made in 1980, and is in remarkable shape for a 43 year old guitar. It's surprisingly comfy to play: much lighter than your average LP, the neck is an intuitive slim C shape that's quick without being too demanding, it's well balanced both seated or standing... somehow, it just makes sense. The Maxon humbuckers deliver the goods too: the neck pickup is dark and throaty without being vague, while the bridge pickup and creamy and articulate without being harsh. It doesn't sound like a Gibson style guitar, but there's more nuance and body on offer than a regular HH Superstrat style thing too. Safe to say it looks fantastic too, the shape really is excellent and the details like the cloud tailpiece, pointy headstock and bound top tie it all together perfectly. I bought this thinking it would look cool, but it really did impress me a lot in the hands. Oh, and the original green-velvet-lined, cut-to-fit case is swanky as heck.
Model: Greco M600 Mirage
Made: 1980, Japan, Fujigen factory (serial F800133)
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: mahogany (not verified)
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, 24.75" scale, slim C, bolt-on
Weight: 3.605kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Maxon U1000 PAF-style humbucker x2
Case: original hard case (very cool)
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end and slight scuffs on the top and bottom edges and some scuffs around the G tuner post on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a couple of patches of scuffs in the middle of the body, as well as some scuffs near the rear strap pin and below the control cavity and a small chip on the top edge in the elbow area. The sides have some dimples on the top horn, scuffs in the elbow area, some dimples near the jack and light scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has some scuffs around the switch, rub wear around the pickups, scuffs around the tailpiece and jack, dimples in the elbow area and playwear on the horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.