Greco les paul standard or custom

[BKS]

I have been looking at a 1977 Greco les paul standard(Maxon U-1000 pickups) being sold local here. Beautifull guitar but i do not really know very much about Greco. He also has a custom, Mint collection Open O headstock logo.
Wich would be the better option to go for? Were to look for? Both necks are fine to me the standard more a slim tapered 60ties style, the custom a c-shape.
How does Greco compare to Burny?

The custom

 

[brokentoeswalker]

The mint collection one (custom) looks like it might be a Korean made Greco if that matters to you. Does it have a serial number ??

 

[BKS]

Yes I thought so too, seller said no but i tried explaining him part were korean, i did read that on the forum (fatter logo, color logo, tr cover, block inlay) . Don't really mind but prefer japanese. The best one gets the vote.

 

[Greco]

Yes I thought so too, seller said no but i tried explaining him part were korean, i did read that on the forum (fatter logo, color logo, tr cover, block inlay) . Don't really mind but prefer japanese. The best one gets the vote.

Ok right off the bat I love the look of both guitars. However, the standard is one that I find most interesting. I have recently bought a Greco EG-900 that was customized. The guy says it’s from 1976 but it has an ebony fretboard which is a 1977 characteristic. The Greco standard is supposed to be an EG-900. Ask the seller what the fretboard is made of and if he can give the numbers off the back of the pickup. This will help identify the year and see if it matches ‘77. Yet again, it’s up to you but I always look at the smaller details. Also, Greco and Burny are both good guitars. Burny guitars (least as far as i know) were better during the late 80s and early 90s. Grecos are the opposite with many saying the mid to late 70s were the best. Either way, both are amazing guitars and I’d suggest trying both and seeing what is more your liking!!

 

[El Greco]

The standard looks like a EG450 or 500 with a plywood top and the custom is Korean. Both low end Grecos, the first from the 70's the custom from the 90's.

 

[Greco]

The standard looks like a EG450 or 500 with a plywood top and the custom is Korean. Both low end Grecos, the first from the 70's the custom from the 90's.

How’s interesting. Thought the standard was the EG-900 but I guess I wasn’t wrong. If possible, is the EG-900 just a high end standard or is is something else?

 

[BKS]

This one also has a serial number on headstock.

 

[Greco]

View attachment 404450
This one also has a serial number on headstock.

The pickups picture were made August 20th, 1977. From that information, we can confirm your guitar was made in 1977. If I had the exact model, I can tell you the specifics pickups used in the guitar.

 

[Roxy13]

Maxon pickups in the first one.

Are you able to look at them in person? You could then verify the construction on the 70s model. If that Greco is like the one I have it does have a long tenon.

 

[wulfman]

The 70's Greco looks like a hollowbody to me. Not bad per se, but they do sound and respond differently that a full-on 10 pounder 70's Greco pancake body guitar.

 

[BKS]

The pickups picture were made August 20th, 1977. From that information, we can confirm your guitar was made in 1977. If I had the exact model, I can tell you the specifics pickups used in the guitar.

How can i find out? According to the seller they are maxon U-1000

Maxon pickups in the first one.

Are you able to look at them in person? You could then verify the construction on the 70s model. If that Greco is like the one I have it does have a long tenon.

I asked for additional pictures, he is not all that far but as i don't have a car i have to go by bus. I love to get informed as much as i can before hand so it can help me decide and take it with me or not.

 

[Roxy13]

I understand that. I don't know as much about 70s Grecos as some others here may. See if you can find it in the 77 and 78 catalogs. That might tell you what model and specs are.

As for the later Greco custom, honestly I don't see much difference between the Korean ones and the Japanese ones I have. Ask if it has a non wood fretboard. It might be a resin type thing. That is what mine has but you know what? It was super easy to refret and it's really smooth. I can't really complain about it.

 

[BKS]

The 70's Greco looks like a hollowbody to me. Not bad per se, but they do sound and respond differently that a full-on 10 pounder 70's Greco pancake body guitar.

You are right, did not notice that. Closer to my Camel lp in build i guess my hohner was chambered as well.

 

[BKS]

I understand that. I don't know as much about 70s Grecos as some others here may. See if you can find it in the 77 and 78 catalogs. That might tell you what model and specs are.

As for the later Greco custom, honestly I don't see much difference between the Korean ones and the Japanese ones I have. Ask if it has a non wood fretboard. It might be a resin type thing. That is what mine has but you know what? It was super easy to refret and it's really smooth. I can't really complain about it.

On additional pictures it is very dark ebony looking. I read these were artificial ebony. The custom looks rosewood.

 

[Roxy13]

As for comparing Greco to Burny, I only have the one Burny singlecut. I want to say my Burny does not have a long tenon and yet it is the most resonant guitar I have, followed closely by my Bacchus. Burnys have nibs if they have their original frets, but so do some Grecos at least into 1983. They both seem to come with decent to excellent pickups. IMO you can be equally as happy with either one.

 

[BKS]

I have a burny (lc70rr from 1985) wich is only topped by my custom shop gibby, but only Just, even tho i can't really compare these two as they are so different. I will ask him a lot of questions tomorrow haha, this is really helpfull. I just hope it does not sell before i can make up my mind... Have a wedding party tomorrow....

 

[Greco]

On additional pictures it is very dark ebony looking. I read these were artificial ebony. The custom looks rosewood.

Are the artificial? Cause I hope it’s not the case on the EG-900 models from the 70s. I’m dying to play real ebony after my Giannini Stratocaster’s rosewood board was something disappointing. As for finding out the pickups, that may be difficult if the seller doesn’t know the exact model. Also, is he being a stickler with more photos? I dunno man, cause if he did that I probably would find a different guitar. If you don’t mind me asking, what does he want for it? I know my lefty ran expensive because it was left handed and it was hot rodded. However, a normal right handed model (especially a lower end model) would be lower maybe around $300 to $600

 

[BKS]

It is a little higher than that (mind i am in Europa)
He will send more pictures, he had no problem with that, seems a nice persoon to deal with. There is also a Greco rr-55 up for sale, she want now 650€ for that... The guy wants more for the standard but i hope he will go down a little if i want it. He did not have a price on the custom yet but he set it would be more than the standard. Not shure about that if it is korean... But hopefully if i can go there and he still has both i can make a decision between them. They both look good. The White Greco also looks good... Would actually prefer that one i fear but pure on color....

 

[Greco]

It is a little higher than that (mind i am in Europa)
He will send more pictures, he had no problem with that, seems a nice persoon to deal with. There is also a Greco rr-55 up for sale, she want now 650€ for that... The guy wants more for the standard but i hope he will go down a little if i want it. He did not have a price on the custom yet but he set it would be more than the standard. Not shure about that if it is korean... But hopefully if i can go there and he still has both i can make a decision between them. They both look good. The White Greco also looks good... Would actually prefer that one i fear but pure on color....

White Greco? Pictures of the other guitars you mentioned. I’d love to see them. Also, if he stays at a high price it isn’t worth it. If you look at the forum I posted, everyone said the EG-500 I was gonna buy was too damn high especially on shipping. So far, no complaints on my EG-900 I bought

 

[BKS]

White Greco? Pictures of the other guitars you mentioned. I’d love to see them. Also, if he stays at a high price it isn’t worth it. If you look at the forum I posted, everyone said the EG-500 I was gonna buy was too damn high especially on shipping. So far, no complaints on my EG-900 I bought

Well i think it is a rr-55 to be honest. Seller only mentioned it has screaming 82 pickups and it is from 1983 (has a serial on back headstock).

There is also a pretty tokai up for sale but way out of budget as seller wants 1900€ for it....