Greco Spacey Sound teles?

[dukewellington]

What do you think? I don’t have any experience with the Greco copies of Fender style guitars, but considering some of the Spacey Sound telecasters. I owned one of the Greco LP copies for a while and I thought it was a bargain — great thick magnet wire, nice sounding pickups, neat soldering, long tail neck, good weight — but I understand that there were and are several levels or price points with those guitars and not all of them shared the nicer features.

I’m curious to know your thoughts and experiences.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

Sorry, I don't have anything for you

 

[Sax-son]

There were so many different spins on Telecasters with those Japanese guitar manufacturers. Back in the day, they were an economic alternative to the Fenders. Unfortunately, most players I knew wanted Fenders anyways and weren't going to be swayed by Japanese copies. We are in a different era now, so folks are more willing to give them a chance regarding their own specs and merits or lack there of.

 

[MatthewK]

Grecos are generally beautifully built and wonderful to play, so much so that they were approached by Fender USA and became Fender Japan. Woods and pickup quality vary at different price points but the 6 Grecos I’ve had are among the best I’ve ever played. Late 70s Greco to 80s Fender Japan is a pretty stellar run - but the Grecos are cheaper!

 

[MatthewK]

oh all right I guess a few pictures, then

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[DanielK]

I'm a big fan or Japanese guitars, owned a 70s/80s ESP Esparto strat once, which I feel would be somewhat comparable to the Grecos of that vintage. I think they are a good deal if had for cheap, but the ones in my part of the world (Singapore, SEA more generally) are pretty well played in and usually require refret jobs. For this reason, my current collection comprises modern day Japanese 'boutique' (Van Zandt by PGM).

 

[dukewellington]

oh all right I guess a few pictures, then

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Man, those look dynamite!

I didn’t know the Greco plant made Fender’s Japanese line. I think I’m pretty sold on shopping for an old Greco. Fender stuff from the 70s and 80s has become unreachable with this year’s guitar budget.

 

[MatthewK]

Exactly! (and thanks!) I doubt you’ll be disappointed. One thing to know is that numbers in the model code are price points, so a SE600 Strat has better components than a SE350, for example. All beautifully made at the Fujigen Gakki factory.

 

[Wildeman]

I had one for a bit, it didn't say Greco but it was one of those, exactly like the one before the Jazz bass. It had a pretty thin, lightweight pine body and a really funky, cheapo bridge that made it sound plinky, other than that it was okay, i modded it, changed it back and sent it down the road. My modded Affinity's are better by far.

 

[beagle]

I didn’t know the Greco plant made Fender’s Japanese line.

Greco didn't, Fujigen Gakki made both Greco and Fender and many more brands.

 

[DanielK]

oh all right I guess a few pictures, then

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These are absolutely gorgeous, what a great collection!

 

[DanielK]

Greco didn't, Fujigen Gakki made both Greco and Fender and many more brands.

Modern day FGN is severely underrated, especially with the inflation of prices of the big name brands, their entry level strats and teles are ridiculously well made and sound fantastic.

 

[beagle]

Modern day FGN is severely underrated, especially with the inflation of prices of the big name brands, their entry level strats and teles are ridiculously well made and sound fantastic.

Not by me.

 

[MatthewK]

Greco didn't, Fujigen Gakki made both Greco and Fender and many more brands.

They did (including Ibanez, JooDee and so on) but Greco is Fujigen's house brand now. Pre 1973 they were made by Matsumoku. That middle photo in my list is all Fujigen but it's branded 2 x Greco, 1 x Squier, 1 x Ibanex, 1 x Fender. There's little difference between them quality wise, just prettier wood in the Jazzmaster I guess.