Greco Super Real JG700 Natural 1980
Greco Super Real JG700, natural finish, made in Japan 1980. My oh my, this is an unusual one! Greco were making F-style guitars from the early 1970s. By 1976, the accuracy to the 50s and 60s original examples and the quality control from the Fujigen Gakki factory was getting to be truly exemplary. S and T style models are pretty easy to get, but the JG and JM style offerings were only made from 1980-81 under the Super Real series, and were never made in large numbers. We think this one used to be gold, as there's one or two sold listings around the internet for examples in a Shoreline Gold type finish, and there's some gold paint in the cavities that we initially assumed was for shielding purposes. But: it could have easily been sunburst, red or blonde; it's hard to say with any certainty. The neck is still wearing the original gloss poly, but the body is wearing a thin coat of satin clear, which appears to have been on there for several decades. The gold hardware seems to be original: the Greco stamped tuners, well aged plates, and adorable gold volume and tone wheels are certainly unusual and look so cool. The four ply tort guard, pickups and electronics seem to be original too. A couple of years after this beauty was made in 1982, Fender USA signed a deal with Kanda Shokai, Greco's parent company, to create Fender Japan and make guitars under the Fender brand out of the very same factory. Good luck scoring an original JV serial Jaguar, I've certainly never seen one! Aside from rarity, this is also a great guitar in it's own right. The neck is a super comfy soft V shape, carved from quality quartersawn Maple and some very dark Rosewood, and it feels amazing. The two piece ash body looks beautiful, with big wavy grain lines and a classy centre join, and at 4kg it's pretty light for an ash example. The tone is clear, open and piano-like: the neck pickup delivers a glassy fat plonk, while the bridge pickup balances creamy mids and slicing tops with elegance. If this guitar was all-original and in excellent condition, the going rate woul be around A$3500-4000. Don't count on seeing another one of these anytime soon, folks!
Model: Greco Super Real JG700
Made: Japan, 1980, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: J800356
Finish: natural, satin poly, most likely refinished on the body, headstock front is stripped and finished in clear satin, back of neck and headstock are in original gloss poly
Body: Sen Ash, two-piece centre join
Neck: Maple, Rosewood fretboard, 24" scale, 43mm nut, 10" radius, soft V shape
Weight: 4.045kg
Mods: refinished, headstock de-badged
Pickups: Greco JG single coil x2
Accessories: trem arm only
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, scuffs on both edges, scuffs and checking on the back and scratches and sanding marks on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples and scuffs and some play wear on the back and some minor scratches on the board. The back has scuffs and dimples all over and some scratches in the elbow area. The sides have dimples, scuffs and minor scratches around the whole body. The front has dents near the bridge and scuffs, rub wear and dimples around the whole body as well as play wear on the guard and horns. Someone etched 'Fender' by hand into the tailpiece jsut behind where the strings attach, and there's pitting and clouding on all the hardware.
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 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only