Greco Guitars – Japan’s Hidden Heritage in Solid‑Body Craft

Introduction: The Unsung Hero of Vintage Japanese Guitars

In the world of vintage and rare electric guitars, the spotlight often shines on American titans like Gibson, Fender, and PRS. But behind the scenes—particularly in the 1970s and ’80s—a quiet revolution was happening in Japan. One brand at the heart of that movement? Greco.

At Fat Bottom Guitars, we love shining a light on underappreciated gems, and Greco guitars are just that: expertly crafted, historically rich, and highly collectible. From early bolt-on neck copies to stunning flame-topped “lawsuit-era” Les Pauls, this is the story of Greco—Japan’s answer to Western guitar domination.

1. The Birth of Greco: Kanda Shokai & the Early Years

Greco was born in 1960, launched by Kanda Shokai, a Tokyo-based instrument wholesaler. Kanda didn’t build the guitars themselves—they partnered with top Japanese factories, most notably FujiGen Gakki, which would later become world-famous for producing Fender Japan instruments.

In the 1960s, Greco’s catalog was diverse: Telecaster-style guitars, classical acoustics under the “Canda” brand, and wild semi-hollows like the Shrike, which featured futuristic L-shaped pickups years ahead of their time. These early years laid the foundation for what would become a legendary name in Japanese guitar history.

2. The Copy Years: From Bolt-On Necks to Lawsuit Legends

By the early 1970s, Greco began to specialise in faithful replicas of American designs—Les Pauls, Stratocasters, Telecasters, SGs, and more. These guitars weren’t just inspired by US models—they were nearly identical, from headstock shape to hardware layout.

• EG Series – Greco’s answer to the Les Paul

• SE/TE Series – Strat and Tele models

• SS Series – SG-style electrics

• Early models had bolt-on necks, but by the mid-’70s, Greco transitioned to set-necks, rosewood boards, and open-book Gibson-style headstocks.

This era earned Greco its “lawsuit guitar” nickname—though in truth, no direct lawsuit against Greco is documented. Still, their accuracy ruffled feathers in the US and eventually prompted design changes.

3. The Super Real Era (1979–1982): Peak Craftsmanship

Ask any collector what the best Grecos are, and they’ll point to the Super Real series. Released in late 1979, these guitars were an answer to the call for premium quality replicas that could rival—even exceed—their American counterparts.

Key features of the Super Real line:

• Nitrocellulose lacquer finishes

• Fret-edge binding

• Two-piece flame maple tops

• High-grade mahogany bodies

• Dry Z pickups – now legendary among collectors

• FujiGen Gakki factory production

Models were designated by price in yen—for example, the EGF-1800 was a top-tier model selling for ¥180,000. Today, Super Real Grecos are highly sought after and command impressive prices on the vintage market.

4. The Mint Collection (1982–1990): Refinement & Transition

Following the Super Real period, Greco launched the Mint Collection. These guitars retained many premium features but introduced new branding elements, like the distinct “open O” Greco logo, where the top of the “O” is broken.

Mint Collection guitars featured:

• Many of the same specs as Super Real

• Continued use of Dry Z or Screamin’ pickups

• Improved manufacturing consistency

• Slight cost-saving changes on midrange models

This era marked a transitional period, where Greco began scaling back its use of Gibson-style headstocks in response to international pressure. By the end of the 1980s, Greco’s direct replicas began to fade, making way for original designs.

5. The 1990s and Beyond: Diversification & Legacy

By the 1990s, Greco shifted away from replica guitars toward more original offerings. Under Kanda Shokai’s direction, the brand expanded to include:

• Mirage Series – Inspired by the Ibanez Iceman

• Violin Basses – A nod to McCartney’s Höfner

• Brian May-style Red Specials

• Zemaitis models (Kanda Shokai eventually acquired Zemaitis)

• Budget and OEM production moved to Cort and Tokai Gakki

Greco continued to exist as a brand into the 2000s but its golden age had passed. The era of Japanese replicas was over—but their legacy was just beginning.

6. How to Date and Identify a Greco

If you’re dealing in vintage Japanese guitars—or just curious about your own—here’s how to spot and date a Greco:

• Logo Variations:

  • Early ‘70s: “Gneco” stylised script

  • Late ‘70s: “Greco” with closed O

  • ’80s Mint: “Greco” with open O

   

• Serial Numbers:

  • Pre-1975: Often none

  • 1975–82 (Super Real): 5-digit or YYMMXXXX formats

  • 1982–90 (Mint): Alphanumeric dating codes (e.g., “B82XXXX”)

   

• Model Codes:

  • EGF = Les Paul Standard (flame-top)

  • EGC = Les Paul Custom

  • EJR = Junior-style

  • SE/TE = Strat and Tele

   

• Pickup Clues:

  • Dry Z = most valuable (Super Real)

  • Screamin’ = later high-end models

   

• Factory Hints:

  • FujiGen = top-tier

  • Cort/Tokai = post-’90s

   

7. Why Greco Matters to Players & Collectors Today

So why do Greco guitars still matter?

• Craftsmanship – In many cases, they match or exceed 1970s Gibsons and Fenders

• Affordability – Prices are climbing, but they’re still more accessible than vintage US models

• History – They capture a unique moment in guitar manufacturing history

• Tone – With original pickups and high-end woods, Super Real models sound phenomenal

• Value Growth – These guitars have proven to hold value, especially high-spec Mint and Super Real examples

Conclusion: The Greco Renaissance

At Fat Bottom Guitars, we’re seeing a renaissance in interest for vintage Japanese electrics. Whether you’re a player chasing tone, a collector chasing history, or a dealer chasing margins—Greco guitars offer all three.

Don’t overlook them. The right Greco could be your next holy grail.