Need help identifying this Greco LP

[Topah]

Hi.

I just got this flaming torch headstock Greco Les Paul which has some weird details like fret edge binding and no serial number. Pickup cavity shows that is most likely Made in Japan. Quality of the guitar is great but I have no idea what it is and what time period.

Any knowledge here?

Thanks.

 

[Sigmania]

I don’t know much about Grecos but looks like Tokai made it.



I had a 1989 Mint Collection EG59 that was Tokai made. The equivalent of a Tokai LS70F apparently.



Are there pots that you can date in it?

 

[Sigmania]

1990 catalog




1992 catalog

VintAxe scan

 

[Sigmania]

The serial number on the pickups may help too, but again I don't know Grecos.

 

[Sigmania]

This guitar was made at the tail end of Greco's production of open book Gibson clones.

 

[Sigmania]

I see the offset neck tenon typical of Tokai in this pic along with the square type tab routs Tokai used.

But not sure why there is blue duct tape? Your guitar may have been repainted? That may be why no serial number?

Originally it may have been black or that may just be black primer? Looks glossy though.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one with pots in it from June of 1991 without the FEB that is NOT Tokai made.

Might be a bolt neck version. Some had one bolt necks.

New member needs Tokai and Greco ID

 

[Sigmania]

Here's one with the single bolt neck.

New member needs Tokai and Greco ID

 

[Sigmania]

Single bolt.

http://www.shamray-shop.ru/catalog/electric_guitars/sold/5079

 

[Sigmania]

mylespaul forum:

Waht Greco les Paul Custom Model has Fret Edge Binding?

BadBeat78:

Hi!
I received my Greco les paul Custom!
Made in 1989.
I tried to identify the exact Model by looking at the PUs, but they dont have a number or a sticker on them.
But i realized that the guitar once had fret edge Binding.
The Fretboard is rosewood.
Anyone got an Idea what Model it could be?
Thx for helpng me out!!

Matty:

I don't think the Mint Collections had nibs after '83.

wulfman:

Actually there are some later MCs (post 1990?) made by Tokai that do...not many but they are out there. Up to 1983 generally they do though.


You could have an EGC-750 if it looks like this one:

Greco EGC-750 (gone)

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai made EGC Mint Collection

Pots are from June 1989.

So slightly earlier than yous.

1989 Greco Mint Collection EGC Custom Non-Catalog Model w/ Ebony Fretboard, Alpine White, Japan

Looks like possibly FEB.



No serial number

 

[Sigmania]

So there were different manufactureres making Greco EGC guitars then, but yours is a Tokai built EGC that is not in any catalogs I can find.

Sounds like based on what wulfman said, and he is very knowledgeable, that there are not many of these around.

The date looks like 1991/92. Your pots may tell you? Those pots we can date end in 1991 I believe.

Code on the pickup may tell us something, but I am not sure how to read those.

 

[Sigmania]

And looks like I am seeing a model number at the lower edge of the stamp in the pickup compartment, partially covered by the paint.

Looks like EGC - 75 ?

Btw, there may be a paint code under that black marker with the original finish code....

Probably re-painted at Tokai actually. I have seen that before:

Errors, Odd, Incorrect Or Mismatched Body Codes

 

[Sigmania]

From the 1990 catalog:

EGC-75

BODY: MAPLE TOP, MAHOGANY BACK
NECK: MAHOGANY
F.BOARD: ROSEWOOD, 22F, 305R. 314SCALE
PICK-UP: SCREAMIN x 2
CONTROL: 2VOLUME, 2TONE, 3WAY SW
FINISH: POLYESTER
COLOR: EB. VS, WH
PRICE: Y75.000

 

[Sigmania]

So my bet at this point is that it is a Tokai made 1991/92 EGC-75 WH

 

[Sigmania]

It's interesting to me that this is a period when Tokai was making Strats for Fender and apparently Gibson clones for Greco and not much under their own brand.

Note the LC80T with FEB. That’s about the same price as your guitar, so it definitely could be an EGC75 at 75,000 Y with fret edge binding.

This is the 1990 catalog



1991 Tokai LC80-T BB Les Paul Custom

 

[Sigmania]

From an older thread on Screamin pickups:

japanstrat:

First number = Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup code (1, 2, etc)
Second number = Year (9=1979)
Third and Fourth number = Month (01=Jan ... 12=Dec)
Fifth and sixth number = Day of Month (01-31)

screaming pickup with and 8 first .......

So it's possible that that second digit is the year? 1991?

The other number, 45, doesn't seem to be the month.

Not sure, somoene else may chime in that does know.

 

[Sigmania]

I believe it’s a Tokai made 1991/92 EGC-75 WH, re-painted at Tokai in Hamamatsu Japan.

Check your pots to confirm the date.

Tokai apparently made Greco Customs in at least 1989, 1990, and 1991.