1982 EG-500 - 1800 neck?

Hi everyone,

I found this EG500 from 1982. Might this be a leftover EGF-1800 neck?! It has the small frets and the large Greco logo.

What do you think?

It appears to have survived a sandstorm in the desert.

Transitional model.

I noticed that one too, an odd 1982 with the fat TRC and the lettering. Looks like it might have gone for a swim somewhere.

EG500 Super Real tsunami survivor.

Cali Girl said:

It appears to have survived a sandstorm in the desert.

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Better than a sandstorm in the ocean! :lol:

helge_e21 said:

Hi everyone,

I found this EG500 from 1982. Might this be a leftover EGF-1800 neck?! It has the small frets and the large Greco logo.

What do you think?

Click to expand...

I saw a 1981 EGF-850 on Yahoo Auction with bold logo, and here is another

http://www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~yjibika/1981GrecoEGF850.html

I have never seen a model under EGF1200 from 1980 with bold logo.

wulfman said:

I noticed that one too, an odd 1982 with the fat TRC and the lettering. Looks like it might have gone for a swim somewhere.

Click to expand...

Looking at how the jackplate is split (perhaps from expanding wood), I'd say it took a little dip as well.

greco_burst said:

I saw a 1981 EGF-850 on Yahoo Auction with bold logo, and here is another

http://www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~yjibika/1981GrecoEGF850.html

Click to expand...

But this one has the correct large frets. Do EG-500 have small frets?

helge_e21 said:

I found this EG500 from 1982
What do you think?

Click to expand...

Based on the model sticker and closed "O" Greco emblem it is probably a late 1981 or even a 1980 EG model, and not 1982.
1982 EG-59-50 transitional Super Reals generally have thicker burst color edges, like Gibson Deluxe counterparts from that era.
I've seen a number of pre-Mint Collection models with Mint Collection style rectangular bell TRC's. Did you get a 2 xxxx serial number for it ?

Frets look like large variety in lo res pics to me, but I could be wrong.
EGF-1800's came with both small + large frets, EGF-1200 came with small frets only. Is the neck profile '58 or '59 ?

Hi, the serial number is: 2 7002.

Well you have really stumbled on an odd or rare Super Real Helge.
The 40 transitional Super Real 1982's I've documented, were all open O, and made in the 1st few months of 1982. (# 2 0002 - # 2 17xx) except for 1 mid year EG-59-50 Super Real with no FEB, # 2 4xxx, and this one.
Yours was completed near the end of 1982, based on the serial #.
I'm almost inclined to believe it was a late 1981 build, that sat for a year waiting for special order pickups, or possibly the last left over 1981 neck ? It's the best explanation for a closed O inlay and 1981 rear decal.
1982 decals are smaller and rectangular with just a 700 numeral. There were some regular blank headstock Mint Collection models beginning at # 2 1000 which might mean quite a few transitionals numbered higher than # 2 1000 may have been delayed, waiting for parts, but all begun in 1982 instead of 1981, like yours.
Is there any evidence the 2 in your serial # might have been altered ? Are the pickups screamin' ceramic magnet pickups ?

Hi, thats interesting stuff here. Thanks for the detailed answers.

I haven't received the guitar yet. It was quite cheap, so I didn't care about any damages. I thought it was an interesting guitar, I felt good about for some reason.

I will take better pictures once I receive it.

More pics would be great.

If the neck tenon ends at the start of the pickup cavity (doesn't extend into the pickup cavity) then it's definitely a 1981 neck.
All 1982 models had long tenons and fret edge binding (except for the one other out of sequence EG-59-50 #2-4xxx I mentioned above, so far)

You may want to check pickups , if/when you get a chance.

Its finally here and doesn't look bad at all. It must have been played a lot, but it works and plays good.

It has a two piece body and top. Here are some pictures:

Strange neck, the frets almost look jumbo to me, but the logo is a 1200 or 1800 logo.

Fretboard is a nice brown color.

Not sure which is more vintage, the Greco or the couch :lol:

The couch is from 1984, built in italy. So the Greco is more vintage.

Very interesting Greco Helge.

Dowel tenons ended late in 1980 for EGF-850 and higher models.
I don't know how long they continued to be used on lower models.
Maybe Otto will have a better idea.

The medium tenon, closed O logo and oval model decal all suggest a pre 1982 neck.
All 1982 model necks from EG-450 to EG-1800 I've seen, have long tenons, open O logo and the smaller rectangular decals.

Pickups are production run #5 Maxons (date code probably reads right to left (#5,DD,MM,Y) so produced on March 2nd 1982.
If you can, could you post pickup resistance values at your guitar cord plug ? (at the end that plugs into your amp, rather than removing the control cover again) We may be able to tell you which pickups they are from resistance values, since there are no pickup model back stamps.
With volumes on 10 you will get both values on treble and rhythm switch positions and half the value in the center position. About 8 + 4 + 8 ohms.
Tone knob positions won't matter.

I would sure like to know it's production history, given it's pre 1982 neck, early 1982 pickups and late 1982 serial # ???
It is very likely the last Les Paul style Super Real produced.
If you ever decide to get it refretted, it might be worth just refretting the worn frets , if you can source a close fret match, and saving the Fret Edge binding rather than getting a total refret job, given the guitar's uniqueness.

Thanks for the pics.
Enjoy...

I see that "fresh from Japan" left outside for a few years type of condition Some people must not ever play or clean their guitars!

I am thinking about selling it. So if anyone is interested, just write a PM.