Greco SG

The Greco **SG** models were their earliest copies of the SG. While the SG-300 — 400 were built by Matsumoku, the other models were likely built by Fujigen. The SG-600 is one of the earliest set-neck SG copies from Japan. At some point in 1977, the **SG** is replaced by the SS.

## SG-500

* 1975
* 50,000 Yen MSRP

**Body:**

* Beveled Agathis or Mahogany pancake body (catalog specs conflict)
* Top & back veneers
* Angled heel
* Polyurethane finish

**Neck:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Mahogany
* Set-in construction (early 1975)
	+ Joins body at 20th fret

* Bolt-on construction (late 1975)
	+ Joins body at 20th fret
* Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic Pearloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Holographic foil Greco logo
	+ Volute
* 22 frets
* 24 3/4" scale
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Electronics:**

* Two P-90 style pickups
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome Hardware
* Gotoh Star or MH-802 tuning machines
	+ Schaller-style buttons
* Single-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ 3 screws
* Black Speed knobs w/ pointers
* Wraparound bridge/tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Wine Red

## SG-600 (1972-1974)

Built to order.

* 60,000 Yen MSRP

**Body:**

* Beveled Agathis pancake body
* Top & back veneers
* Angled heel
* Polyurethane finish

**Neck:**

* 3-pc laminated Maple
* C profile (~.800" / .890")
* Set-in construction
	+ Joins body at 20th fret

* Ebony fretboard
	+ Mother of Pearl block inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Holographic foil Greco logo
		- "Gneco" (1972-1973)
		- "Greco" (1974)
	+ Holographic foil crown
* 22 frets
* 24 3/4" scale
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Neck, single-ply

**Electronics:**

* Two Maxon Jazz-Rock U-500 humbuckers
	+ ~7.85k Ohms D.C. Resistance
	+ "Gneco" embossed covers (1973-1974)
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome Hardware
* Gotoh Star tuning machines
	+ Schaller-style buttons
* 4-ply Batwing style pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ 3 screws
	+ "Custom" engraved (sporadic use)
* Black Witch Hat knobs
* Tune-O-Matic style bridge
* Stopbar tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Wine Red

## SG-600 (1974-1977)

This new style first appears in November 1974 catalog. It is replaced by the SS-600 at some point in 1977.

* 60,000 Yen MSRP

**Body:**

* Beveled Mahogany pancake body
* Top & back veneers
* Angled heel
* Polyurethane finish

**Neck:**

* 3-pc laminated Maple (catalog 1974-1975)
* 1-pc quartersawn Maple (catalog 1976-1977)
* 1-pc quartersawn Mahogany (observed)
* C profile (~.800" / .890")
* Set-in construction
	+ Joins body at 20th fret

* Ebony fretboard
	+ Mother of Pearl block inlays (1974-1975)
	+ Mother of Pearl trapezoid inlays (1976-1977)
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Holographic foil Greco logo
	+ Holographic foil crown
	+ Volute
* 22 frets
* 24 3/4" scale
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Neck, single-ply
* Fret-edge binding

**Electronics:**

* Two Maxon U-1000 humbuckers
	+ AlNiCo 8 or Ferrite ceramic magnets
	+ ~7.8k Ohms D.C. Resistance
	+ "Gneco" embossed covers (~1974)
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome Hardware
* Gotoh Star tuning machines (~1974)
	+ Metal Keystone buttons
* Gotoh MH-802 tuning machines
	+ Schaller-style buttons (1975)
	+ Metal Keystone buttons (1975-1977)
	+ "Greco Guitar" engraved
* 4-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
	+ Wide bevel
* 4-ply tenon cover
	+ Wide bevel
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ 3 screws
* Black Speed knobs w/ pointers
* Tune-O-Matic style bridge
* Stopbar tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Cherry Red / Wine Red
* Walnut

## SG-???

This was likely a limited run or a custom order, as it does not appear in any catalogs. It is mostly a copy of the 1972-1973 Gibson SG Special, however, the pickup and mounting ring designs are taken from the 1971-1972 Gibson SG Pro. These were manufactured by Matsumoku.

* Circa 1975

**Body:**

* Beveled Mahogany pancake body
* Top & back veneers
* Angled heel
* Polyurethane finish

**Neck:**

* 3-pc laminated Mahogany
* Set-in construction
	+ Joins body at 20th fret

* Rosewood fretboard
	+ Acrylic Pearloid dot inlays
	+ 12" radius
* Open Book headstock
	+ Holographic foil Greco logo
* 22 frets
* 24 3/4" scale
* 1 9/16" nut width

**Binding:**

* Neck, 2-ply black/white

**Electronics:**

* Two Maxon P-90 style pickups
	+ ~8k Ohms D.C. Resistance
	+ Large mounting rings
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome Hardware
* Gotoh Star tuning machines
	+ Metal Keystone buttons
* Single-ply Angel Wing style pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ 3 screws
* Black Speed knobs w/ pointers
* Harmonica style bridge
* Stopbar tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Walnut

## SG-????

This model was not in any catalogs, and due to its built-to-order nature, specs differ from one example to another. Even control layouts will differ. Set neck examples have flat fretboard ends whereas bolt-on examples have rounded ends. The bolt-on versions are related to the Ibanez 2402, having longer horns, while the set neck versions have more accurate shorter horns.

* 1973-1977

**Body:**

* Beveled Mahogany pancake body
* Top & back veneers
* Polyurethane finish

**Necks:**

* 1-pc quartersawn Mahogany
* Bolt-on or set-in construction
	+ Join body at 15th frets

* Rosewood or Ebony fretboards
	+ Acrylic Pearloid split parallelogram inlays (bolt-on)
	+ Mother of Pearl split parallelogram inlays (set-in)
	+ 12" radii
* Open Book headstocks
	+ Holographic foil Greco logos
		- "Gneco" (1972-1973)
		- "Greco" (1974-1977)
	+ Holographic foil crown inlays
* 20 frets per neck
* 22 frets per neck (custom option)
* 24 3/4" scale
* 1 9/16" nut widths

**Binding:**

* Necks, single-ply

**Electronics:**

* Four Maxon U-2000 humbuckers
	+ AlNiCo V magnets
	+ ~7.8k Ohms D.C. Resistance
	+ "Gneco" embossed covers (1973-1974)
* One or two 3-way pickup switches
* 3-way neck switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Chrome Hardware
* Individually enclosed tuning machines (bolt-on)
	+ Green Keystone buttons
		- Double ring
* Gotoh Star tuning machines (set-in)
	+ Metal Keystone buttons
* 4-ply pickguards
* Bell shaped truss rod covers
	+ 2-ply b/w
	+ 3 screws
* Black Witch Hat or Speed knobs
* Tune-O-Matic style bridges
* Stopbar tailpieces
	+ Narrower early 1970s style used

**Finishes:**

* Any

## References

1. ↑ https://vintagejapanguitars.com/1973-greco-sg-300-matsumoku/
2. ↑ https://reverb.com/uk/item/19323424-1973-greco-sg-600-vintage-electric-guitar-cherry-set-neck-japan-w-gigbag
3. ↑ https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/identify-these-pickups.431682/page-3
4. ↑ https://vintagejapanguitars.com/greco-pickups/
5. ↑ https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/identify-these-pickups.431682/page-2
6. ↑ https://reverb.com/item/23741437-greco-ss600-p90-1975-marron
7. ↑ https://mojostompboxes.com/products/1973-greco-japan-sg1300-doubleneck-6-12-string-vintage-sg-w-hardcase-cherry-red