Best five MIJ single cuts?

[Axeman16]

You will not find a sweeter neck than that of the 76/77 greco se models

 

[Mosster47]

G7, vintage LS-200s, Tokai Pacifix & Mizuno lines, and the top of the Navigator line are going to be the closest to the real thing that I've seen. That means they have the specs and nibs. Tokai's custom shop still makes Honduran/Braz/nibs/nitro models brand new for under $5k.

Crews, Bacchus/Momose don't have nibs, but they have models with all the right specs.

The vintage Gerco EGF models 1000 and up are highly revered and if they still have the Dry Z pickups in them they're extremely collectable.

Then you're going to have several obscure brands (History, ObG, etc.).

Best bang for your buck is Edwards.

You used to be able to dabble in this pool without shelling out too much money. That's no longer the case. The next biggest thing is be patient. What it seems like you're after is pretty scarce stuff so they take awhile to surface.

 

[Dr. Arkam]

 

[currypowder]

I have 5 models that have proved themselves to be of the highest order of Single Cut in terms of overall specs, woods used, quality of workmanship, playability, feel and tone:

2003 Tokai LS-320
2016 Crews LED-Supreme (1-piece top, No Nibs)
2016 Crews LED-1959 (No Nibs)
2018 Tokai KLC-320BB (Black Beauty Custom)
2021 G'seven

However, I am not the one to ask how closely they compare to a true vintage LP. I'm sure there are things to look for (top carve, body thickness, horn shape, cutaway shape, finish recipe, nibs, etc., etc.) that are simply not that important to me.

 

[howlermonkey]

I’d love to see the single cut ESP made for George Lynch.

I really like the John Sykes Greco models.

 

[Ph03n1x]

Navigators are known to be top of the heap. Higher the number the better, as with most mij.

I also think Navigators are near the top. However, the model number increased every few years because it reflected the price. As far as I know, they were constructed the same since the late 90s. Some of the early 90s ones had poly finishes from what I've read.

I think a high model Greco or Tokai from the early 80s would be good. However, it sounds like there are plenty of nice current models. (Momose, Crews, etc). I just never buy anything new so it's I have nothing to base it off but the older stuff.

I just have 3 LPs currently but have had a 3 Navigators in the past and 3 Grecos. I played lots of Grecos when I went to Japan. The Navigators are different in that they didn't make low end Navs. They are consistently amazing and the main difference becomes weight. They do come with somewhat boring pickups though...

 

[Neffco]

I also think Navigators are near the top. However, the model number increased every few years because it reflected the price. As far as I know, they were constructed the same since the late 90s. Some of the early 90s ones had poly finishes from what I've read.

I think a high model Greco or Tokai from the early 80s would be good. However, it sounds like there are plenty of nice current models. (Momose, Crews, etc). I just never buy anything new so it's I have nothing to base it off but the older stuff.

I just have 3 LPs currently but have had a 3 Navigators in the past and 3 Grecos. I played lots of Grecos when I went to Japan. The Navigators are different in that they didn't make low end Navs. They are consistently amazing and the main difference becomes weight. They do come with somewhat boring pickups though...

My Navigator is an SA 120. Great guitar and pups. I agree that stock SD pups could be upgraded, but don’t mind SD pups at all. For the price of a top end navigator, your in r8 ( or for me r4) territory.


Now if I ever go on a guitar buying adventure to Japan, I’ll be checking them out. All my Edwards have been great players, can’t imagine the Nav LPs being slouches.

 

[Ph03n1x]

My Navigator is an SA 120. Great guitar and pups. I agree that stock SD pups could be upgraded, but don’t mind SD pups at all. For the price of a top end navigator, your in r8 ( or for me r4) territory.

Now if I ever go on a guitar buying adventure to Japan, I’ll be checking them out.

I found it harder to come across vintage MIJ stuff when I was in Tokyo last few times. Plenty of lower end Greco stuff but not many higher end ones. I didn't even see many Navigators. They had crazy stock of vintage Gibsons though. I played a 50s Special that was amazing.

Would love to try out one of those older Nav 335s. I wish they still made them.

 

[tzurby]

It just has that "it" factor that makes you smile like an idiot when you play it.

Same with my 1982 EG-450. Best Les Paul I have. And I have 1974 LP Std., 1983 Burny RLG-50, early Edwards by Navigator LP Custom. All these are great single cuts, but I like the Greco best.

 

[mjross]

Tokai!

 

[Mosster47]

I want a plaintop LS-80 or above so bad.

 

[56lp]

On my list would be the Epiphone Les Paul Standard LQ series (lacquer finish):

MIJ
Gibson headstock shape
Long Tenon
Solid Maple Top
Lacquer finish
Limited Run

I have owned two of these guitars, one with a 59 profile neck and one with a fatter 58 profile neck. Both were under 8.5 lbs. The LQ series was available in Japan around 2005-2006.

I have also had various: Greco, Tokai, Navigator, Crews single cuts, that I liked a lot also.

 

[scott 351 wins]

Vintage Tokai's from the late 70's or early 80's have this "It" thing going for them. I have yet to play a Greco from the same time period so I can't speak on them. So my vote goes to;

1. Tokai
2. Tokai
3. Tokai
4. Tokai
5. Tokai

 

[jlee]

Vintage Tokai's from the late 70's or early 80's have this "It" thing going for them. I have yet to play a Greco from the same time period so I can't speak on them. So my vote goes to;

1. Tokai
2. Tokai
3. Tokai
4. Tokai
5. Tokai

Those that have played the higher end Greco’s, seem to prefer the Greco’s over Tokai.
I haven’t played a high end Greco Les Paul, but I can’t imagine how much better one could be than my Tokai’s with upgraded electronics and pickups.

 

[frehley76]

Those that have played the higher end Greco’s, seem to prefer the Greco’s over Tokai.
I haven’t played a high end Greco Les Paul, but I can’t imagine how much better one could be than my Tokai’s with upgraded electronics and pickups.

The thing with Tokai is the consistency, I have bought them all sight unseen, and all are just good guitars. Even my LS50 is just plain good.

 

[alainguitars]

As the owner of four Grecos, I can stand behind the brand new and old. I've owned original 50's Gibsons, historics and custom shops and the Grecos are equal if not better than Gibson ever produced at a fraction of the price. Their failing may be in electronics and pups, but that is easily remedied. The build quality of everyone I've owned is spotless. So much so that although I need to thin my collection I couldn't pass up a Greco Zemaitis that arrived today. Stellar build and fretwork, binding etc.. 300k pots I was sure I would replace but now I'm not so sure. Maybe a pickup upgrade, but even that is still a question. Will post a family pic tomorrow.

 

[JohnInNJ]

I also think Navigators are near the top. However, the model number increased every few years because it reflected the price. As far as I know, they were constructed the same since the late 90s. Some of the early 90s ones had poly finishes from what I've read.

I think a high model Greco or Tokai from the early 80s would be good. However, it sounds like there are plenty of nice current models. (Momose, Crews, etc). I just never buy anything new so it's I have nothing to base it off but the older stuff.

I just have 3 LPs currently but have had a 3 Navigators in the past and 3 Grecos. I played lots of Grecos when I went to Japan. The Navigators are different in that they didn't make low end Navs. They are consistently amazing and the main difference becomes weight. They do come with somewhat boring pickups though...

Totally agree about the pickups in Navigators. They're ok, but that's about it. A high-end guitar should have high-end pickups. I had my Navigator 480 fitted with Sigil Bluesman Chicago '68s and WHOA! The sound and playability are second to none!

 

[ranchonmars]

So down to specific examples … I have a humble 1980 Greco EG 500 that is just a fantastic guitar. You just never know when the parts are gonna come together and make magic.

Great quality wood and tight build quality may hit the mark more often than lower priced guitars but even that is never a guarantee. It’s always a crap shoot, IMO.

Same here. I have a '79 EG500 and it's beat all to hell from the previous owner, but damn is it a great player. Well cut nut, frets are still in great shape, neck is somehow without blemish and easily adjustable, and I upgraded the U-1000s to a later model Dry ('85 I think, def not a Dry Z) pickup and it just rocks. Love the clean sound on it better than my Gibson LP Traditional.

 

[BDW60]

Same here. I have a '79 EG500 and it's beat all to hell from the previous owner, but damn is it a great player. Well cut nut, frets are still in great shape, neck is somehow without blemish and easily adjustable, and I upgraded the U-1000s to a later model Dry ('85 I think, def not a Dry Z) pickup and it just rocks. Love the clean sound on it better than my Gibson LP Traditional.

I absolutely love mine. Barely over 8 pounds, mid size neck, nibs, retro three piece top which I have come to appreciate. I took the U1000s out (great pickups just not the vintage thing I gravitate toward) and put a set of Wolfetone Legends in it. Amazing guitar. It’s a ringer, and sustains like crazy. Is it better than USA LPs I have owned? Oh hell yeah. Maybe it’s 40 plus years of time at work, lucky combo of woods, who knows.

 

[Roxy13]

Same here. I have a '79 EG500 and it's beat all to hell from the previous owner, but damn is it a great player. Well cut nut, frets are still in great shape, neck is somehow without blemish and easily adjustable, and I upgraded the U-1000s to a later model Dry ('85 I think, def not a Dry Z) pickup and it just rocks. Love the clean sound on it better than my Gibson LP Traditional.

I have a set of Dry in mine too (again, not the Z, the Fujigen version). Although my "U-1000s" turned out to have alnico magnets in them. Mine is an early 82 that is still Super Real build before CNC. I suspect Maxon was done to the end on their pickup making for Greco and just used what they had available. I still haven't listened to those pickups! I sent a magnet out to determine what it was (II was what the pickup winder said) and while it was gone I had put the Dry in and I loved it so much with those I don't plan to take them back out.