educate me on strats

[staypuff54]

Hey there,

So I'm really intrigued with Greco strat style guitars, but I'm finding that there's a lot less talk about them than there are LP styles. Could some of you veterans educate me a bit? What models are lower end or higher end? What to look for in one? What years are better? pricing maybe? Anything would help.

Thanks.

 

[greco_burst]

Hi,
I would recommend the SE-600 from either 1980 or 1981...nitro, S8 pups (same pups as found on SE-800 Super Real), usually can get it for a bargain price when available. Comfy vintage C neck profile.

I haven't owned the earlier models, I am certain models SE-600 and above are always nitro finish anyway....I could be wrong.

I also think the earlier SE-600 had PU-100 pups which were also found on the SE-800 during that time, as well....

kind regards, Mick

 

[staypuff54]

Thanks.

I spotted an se 380 from 1980 recently. What would the feature differences be between the 380 and the 600?

 

[jacco]

I also think the earlier SE-600 had PU-100 pups which were also found on the SE-800 during that time, as well....

I own a 1978 SE600 which is a very decent guitar. It's nitro indeed. But the stock pickups are really thin sounding and trebly.

 

[Juni41]

I think you should be interested in this:


A 1979 SE600 with gorgeous ash body:

 

[jacco]

beautiful! is it yours? exactly one month younger than mine

 

[NWOBHM]

Hi,
I would recommend the SE-600 from either 1980 or 1981...nitro, S8 pups (same pups as found on SE-800 Super Real), usually can get it for a bargain price when available. Comfy vintage C neck profile.

I haven't owned the earlier models, I am certain models SE-600 and above are always nitro finish anyway....I could be wrong.

I also think the earlier SE-600 had PU-100 pups which were also found on the SE-800 during that time, as well....

kind regards, Mick

You can usually score these pretty cheap as there overlooked alot. I have a 79' SE-600 with the EXCELL 31276 stamped pickups. I guess these are referred to as S8? Pretty authentic, bell like strat tones.

 

[Juni41]

beautiful! is it yours? exactly one month younger than mine

Nah:
http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f86767274

 

[greco_burst]

Hi,
I would recommend the SE-600 from either 1980 or 1981...nitro, S8 pups (same pups as found on SE-800 Super Real), usually can get it for a bargain price when available. Comfy vintage C neck profile.

I haven't owned the earlier models, I am certain models SE-600 and above are always nitro finish anyway....I could be wrong.

I also think the earlier SE-600 had PU-100 pups which were also found on the SE-800 during that time, as well....

kind regards, Mick

You can usually score these pretty cheap as there overlooked alot. I have a 79' SE-600 with the EXCELL 31276 stamped pickups. I guess these are referred to as S8? Pretty authentic, bell like strat tones.

Yes....they are the S8...with 31276 stamped

 

[greco_burst]

I also think the earlier SE-600 had PU-100 pups which were also found on the SE-800 during that time, as well....

I own a 1978 SE600 which is a very decent guitar. It's nitro indeed. But the stock pickups are really thin sounding and trebly.

That is interesting...the PU-100 was listed as a cheaper pickup than the PU-119 of the day in the catalogue...

1977 = SE-800, SE-600, SE-500 have PU-100

1978 = SE-800, SE-600, SE-500 have PU-100, and new model SE-700 has PU-119

1979 = SE-800, SE-700, SE-600 all have PU-119


1977 catalogue lists PU-119 at 10,000 yen and PU-100 at 7,000 yen

 

[NWOBHM]

That got me wondering, are the S8, EXCELL 31276, and PU-119 all the same pickup?

 

[greco_burst]

That got me wondering, are the S8, EXCELL 31276, and PU-119 all the same pickup?

Yes, I think you are right! but why the name change i wonder.....

The PU-119 was the top of the range single coil, and so was the the S8 in 1980/81, with Maxon stopping production for Greco around 1982? Maxon can be contacted in English to confirm.
I never did ask them about the strat pickups when i sent them an email, only about the Dry Z if they knew (which they didn't, they said all info is with people who were in the factory at the time), and about the PAF serial numbering system only. They are very friendly and helpful 8)

 

[Nowherez]

If anyone has more detailed info on this I'd be curious to learn more!!!

I still find it so weird that - according to the Greco '77 catalogue anyway - they install the PU-100 in the higher end models and the PU-119 in the mid-level models. That would make no sense at all..

Does anyone know wether this is a typo in the catalogue or not? I played a SE-500 strat a few years back that had the Excel PUs.. sounded glorious! But I cannot find much information about the differences between the PU-100 and the PU-119..
Reason why I ask: I just bought a 'naturally relied' SE-800N with a gorgeous ash/sen 1-piece body. It's not shipped yet - so I am impatient AF In the auction description there are neither pics nor information about the PUs, but I was naturally hoping for it to sport the Excels.

I plan to fully upgrade parts were needed (change to rolled steel F-saddles, pots and switch if needed) and give it a full refret.

It will be interesting to see what PUs is in it - and will post an update in this thread.