Greco

Greco is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Kanda Shokai Corporation, a musical-instrument wholesaler established in 1948. The brand name appeared in 1960 and has been used primarily for electric guitars, while related acoustic instruments were initially marketed under the Canda name. Greco instruments have been manufactured by several Japanese factories, most notably FujiGen Gakki and Matsumoku, with later production also involving Dyna Gakki, Cor-Tek and Tokai for particular models and price levels. Greco’s early history was connected to the growth of Japanese guitar manufacturing and export distribution. During the 1960s, Kanda Shokai worked with factories including FujiGen to supply instruments for overseas distributors such as Goya and, later, Kustom Electronics. Early Greco instruments included models influenced by Hagström and EKO designs, as well as original semi-hollow instruments. The best-known early design was the Shrike series, whose unusual L-shaped split-coil or “boomerang” pickups gave the guitars a distinctive appearance and switching system. Models such as the 950, 975, 960 and 976 were offered in six-string and twelve-string forms before the line was discontinued around 1970. From the late 1960s and into the 1970s, Greco expanded into solid-body designs resembling Fender and Gibson instruments. Telecaster-like models began appearing around 1966–1967, followed by Gibson-influenced EG models in the early 1970s. Early copies often used bolt-on necks and modified headstock shapes; later instruments increasingly used set-neck construction and, on some models, headstocks visually associated with Gibson designs. This period placed Greco among the Japanese manufacturers whose accurate copies became central to the so-called lawsuit-era market, although the legal and branding circumstances varied by model and period. The brand’s strongest reputation was established by the Super Real Series, introduced in 1979, and the Mint Collection Series, introduced in 1982. These ranges offered increasingly sophisticated interpretations of classic American electric-guitar designs. Higher-priced models could include carefully shaped maple tops, long or medium-long neck joints, fret-edge binding, lacquer finishes and high-grade pickups. Many instruments used Maxon-made Dry or Dry Z pickups before FujiGen began producing its own pickup designs. The model numbers of many Japanese-market instruments reflected their original yen price, creating a useful shorthand among collectors for identifying approximate position within the range. Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki became part of Fender Japan in 1982. As a result, Greco’s Fender-replica production changed, while the brand continued with other models and with Gibson-inspired instruments that eventually moved away from open-book headstock designs. Mint Collection models remained important through much of the 1980s, and various lines—including Mirage, EX, GO, Super Sound, Super Power and Rock Spirits—served different design and price niches. Later instruments included Ibanez Iceman-like shapes, Gibson-influenced guitars without the earlier headstock treatment, and violin-shaped basses inspired by Höfner designs. Today Greco is best understood as a historically significant Japanese guitar brand rather than a single continuously uniform product specification. Vintage examples are identified by their series, factory, logo, construction, pickups and catalog-era details. FujiGen-made instruments from the Super Real and Mint Collection periods are especially prominent in the international used-guitar market. Greco has also been associated with notable players including Ace Frehley, Peter Tork, Elliot Easton, Millie Rose Lee and Brian May, although individual artist relationships varied from use or endorsement to informal association. Kanda Shokai continues to use the Greco name across selected guitar and bass products.

Kanda Shokai was founded in 1948 as a Japanese musical-instrument wholesaler. It introduced the Greco brand in 1960, during a period when Japanese factories were developing the capacity to produce guitars for both domestic and export markets. FujiGen began making instruments for Kanda Shokai around the early 1960s, and Greco products reached the United States through Goya-related distribution arrangements. Some early export instruments were influenced by European designs associated with Hagström and EKO, while others were original or substantially adapted Japanese designs. Greco’s first important period was the late 1960s. Fender Telecaster-like models appeared around 1966–1967, and the Shrike semi-hollow guitars followed in 1968. Shrike instruments used unusual L-shaped split-coil pickup assemblies and separate switching controls for sections of the strings. Their semi-hollow bodies, bound construction and distinctive visual design separated them from the inexpensive Japanese guitars then entering the market. Twelve-string versions were also offered. Distribution initially involved Goya and subsequently Kustom Electronics, but the Shrike line was discontinued by approximately 1970 as the 1960s guitar boom weakened. In the early 1970s Greco increasingly concentrated on designs resembling established American solid-body guitars. Gibson-style EG models began with instruments such as the EG-360. Early examples often used bolt-on necks, but later models adopted set-neck construction and more Gibson-like body and headstock details. Fender-influenced SE models were produced during the later 1970s and continued until the formation of Fender Japan affected the company’s Fender-replica strategy. Other lines, including Mirage and EX models, explored shapes associated with Ibanez and other international designs, while GO and GOB instruments extended the brand into basses. The Super Real Series, introduced in 1979, marked Greco’s best-known high-specification period. The range included models that closely interpreted Les Paul, SG, Stratocaster and other familiar forms. Factory details varied by price and year. FujiGen was the principal manufacturer for many important examples, while Matsumoku produced some instruments, particularly in related Fender-style lines. Maxon, formally Nisshin Onpa, supplied many earlier pickups, including the Dry Z units used in some premium models. From 1981, FujiGen’s CNC equipment and in-house pickup production became increasingly important. Greco’s construction details changed over time. Some early-1980s Les Paul-style instruments used laminated or chambered bodies, while other models had maple tops over mahogany or alternative woods depending on price. Neck joints ranged from medium tenons with reinforcement to longer Gibson-style tenons. Higher-end instruments could receive lacquer finishes, fret-edge binding and premium pickups; lower-priced versions used simpler woods, hardware and construction. These variations mean that model numbers alone do not always determine the specifications of a particular instrument. The Mint Collection Series began in 1982 and continued the high-quality replica tradition in a new catalog era. Many examples used an open-O Greco logo, although transitional and later instruments varied. Most models ended by around 1990, after which Greco continued with a mixture of designs and headstock treatments. Kanda Shokai gradually stopped using the open-book Gibson headstock format on its Gibson-inspired models around the early 1990s and developed other lines, including Mirage guitars, non-open-book Gibson-style models and Höfner-like basses. Manufacturing remained distributed among several Japanese and Asian factories. FujiGen, Matsumoku, Dyna Gakki, Cor-Tek and Tokai are associated with different Greco periods or models. Factory identification may rely on neck plates, serial numbers, cavity routing, electronics, model stamps and construction features. This production history, together with the reputation of the Super Real and Mint Collection ranges, has made vintage Greco guitars important in the international used-instrument and collector markets. The brand has also had associations with performers such as Ace Frehley, Peter Tork, Elliot Easton, Millie Rose Lee and Brian May. Kanda Shokai remains the owner of the Greco name and continues to use it for selected guitar and bass offerings.

• 1990

  Most Mint Collection models conclude

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Most Mint Collection production ended around this period, although some related instruments continued into the early 1990s.

• 1982

  Mint Collection begins

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  The Mint Collection replaced the Super Real period in Greco’s catalog and became a major vintage series.

• 1981

  FujiGen expands CNC and pickup production

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  FujiGen’s adoption of CNC equipment and production of its own pickups influenced later Super Real and Mint Collection instruments.

• 1979

  Super Real Series introduced

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  The Super Real range established Greco as a notable producer of detailed Japanese interpretations of classic American guitars.

• 1970

  EG Gibson-style models appear

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Greco began producing Gibson-influenced EG models, initially including bolt-on-neck designs.

• 1968

  Shrike models launched

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  The Shrike semi-hollow line introduced Greco’s unusual L-shaped pickup design and became one of the brand’s distinctive early products.

• 1967

  Telecaster-style production begins

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Greco started marketing solid-body guitars based on the general design language of Fender Telecaster instruments.

• 1960

  Greco brand introduced

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Kanda Shokai began using the Greco name for guitar products.

• 1948

  Kanda Shokai founded

  [1]Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Kanda Shokai was established as a Japanese musical-instrument wholesaler and later became the owner of the Greco brand.

Japanese-made guitars spanning original designs, affordable catalog instruments and high-spec interpretations of classic American electric-guitar formats. Vintage Super Real and Mint Collection models are positioned by collectors as quality-focused instruments from Japan’s late-1970s and 1980s manufacturing peak.

• Semi-hollow electric guitars · 1968

  Shrike 950/975 series

  Early Greco semi-hollow guitars distinguished by L-shaped split-coil pickup assemblies, sometimes described as boomerang pickups. The controls allowed different sections of the strings to be selected, giving the instruments an unusual tonal and visual identity. Six-string and twelve-string versions were offered, and the range was distributed in the United States through Goya and later Kustom.

• Gibson-style solid-body electric guitars · 1970

  EG series

  Greco’s long-running Gibson-influenced solid-body family. Early models used simpler construction, including bolt-on necks on some instruments, while later and more expensive examples adopted set necks, carved tops, more elaborate binding and higher-grade pickups. The series includes many of the vintage Greco instruments associated with the Japanese replica era.

• Fender-style solid-body electric guitars · 1976

  SE series

  A family of Greco Fender-influenced guitars produced primarily during the later 1970s and early 1980s. Models such as the SE-800 occupied different price levels, and some higher-quality instruments used engraved Excel pickups. Production of Greco’s Fender-style replicas changed after Kanda Shokai became part of Fender Japan.

• High-specification electric guitars · 1979

  Super Real Series

  Introduced in 1979, Super Real instruments are among Greco’s most collectible guitars. The range covered Gibson- and Fender-inspired formats and varied substantially by model number and year. Premium examples could feature lacquer finishes, fret-edge binding, carefully constructed neck joints, figured tops and Maxon Dry Z or FujiGen Dry 82 pickups. Production largely ended by 1982.

• Electric guitars · 1982

  Mint Collection Series

  The Mint Collection followed the Super Real period from 1982 and became identifiable on many instruments by an open-O Greco logo. Its models ranged from accessible versions to highly detailed Gibson-style instruments with long-tenon construction and upgraded components. Some versions included factory-installed Kahler tremolo systems. Most models ended around 1990.

• Solid-body electric guitars · 1978

  Mirage Series

  A later Greco family using a sharp, angular body concept associated with the Ibanez Iceman format. The Mirage line represents the brand’s move beyond direct Fender and Gibson-style catalog replicas after the classic open-book-headstock period.

• Electric basses · 1978

  GO/GOB bass series

  Greco bass lines produced around the late 1970s and early 1980s. GO instruments and GOB basses formed part of the brand’s broader expansion beyond six-string guitars and were joined by other bass designs, including violin-shaped instruments in later periods.

• Artist-inspired electric guitars

  BM series

  Greco’s BM instruments were associated with Brian May-inspired design and branding. Brian May was reported to have received and used or mimed a BM-900 in television appearances, but the available account also records that he criticized its sound and that a proposed further collaboration did not proceed.

• 1990

  Shift away from the open-book headstock formatStrategy

  Background

  Greco’s earlier Gibson-like instruments had used headstock treatments closely associated with the source designs.

  Action taken

  Kanda Shokai stopped using the open-book headstock design on most Greco Gibson-style models around the early 1990s and emphasized other Greco lines.

  Aftermath

  Later Greco guitars used alternative headstock designs and included Mirage, non-open-book Gibson-inspired and other original or adapted formats.

  Source

• 1982

  Transition from Super Real to Mint CollectionGeneration change

  Background

  Greco’s catalog was changing as Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki became part of Fender Japan and as Japanese production methods developed.

  Action taken

  Greco introduced the Mint Collection Series, commonly marked by an open-O logo, while changing or ending several earlier replica lines.

  Aftermath

  Mint Collection became the brand’s principal high-profile vintage range through much of the 1980s, while Greco gradually diversified its later designs.

  Source

• 1979

  Launch of the Super Real SeriesProduct launch

  Background

  Japanese manufacturers were competing in a growing market for accurate, well-finished interpretations of established American guitar designs.

  Action taken

  Kanda Shokai introduced the Super Real Series, with model tiers covering Gibson- and Fender-inspired instruments and with premium construction on selected models.

  Aftermath

  The series became one of Greco’s most influential historical ranges and helped establish the brand’s reputation among vintage Japanese-guitar collectors.

  Source

1. 1Greco guitarsen.wikipedia.org