This is the Greco EG-700 I once received but returned to the live house. I recall leaving my Gibson SG (with P-90s) at the shop unattended, and it got knocked over, breaking the neck.
Leaving it unattended was my own fault, but the kind owner gave me a guitar that was at the shop. However, even after receiving it, I hardly ever used it, so I returned it to the shop—that’s the story behind it.
This guitar features the so-called “Gune-logo” (or “Gune-ko”) type, where the “r” in the logo looks like an “n”. This design was used from around 1975 through the early 1980s and is an iconic symbol of Japan Vintage. This particular instrument is highly likely to be a Fujigen (formerly Fuji Stringed Instruments) model from the late 1970s (around 1977-1979).
True to late 1970s Fujigen craftsmanship, it features a solid mahogany back with a set neck construction. The rosewood fingerboard also feels denser than modern ones. Many domestic Les Paul models at the time prioritized strength and quick response by using maple necks. The sound is truly rich and substantial. The body is a solid construction with the neck firmly glued to it. This allows the string vibrations to transfer throughout the entire body, resulting in the characteristic mahogany sustain that seems to stretch on forever.
It would be quite difficult to make a guitar using wood like this today. If one existed, it would likely command an incredible price. …But, unfortunately, it just didn’t quite suit me.
In my opinion, this guitar is really well-suited for rock riffs and solos. However, when using its natural sound for backing, the tone is hard and thick, making it a bit tricky to handle. Since I don’t use many effects pedals, it was hard to mask that aspect… that might be part of it. You could say it’s a guitar that’s a bit picky about its player.
Also… it’s heavy! I think this was true of guitars back then in general; even some Strats were pretty heavy. This Les Paul, though? It feels like a rock!
That said, as a guitarist, both a Strat and a Les Paul are guitars you want to own at least once. Nowadays, you can get guitars made from amazing wood at bargain prices.
Looking back, this Greco was a perfect example of why ‘MIJ’ is such a trusted term today. It’s a classic from the Lawsuit Era, built with a passion that made even the original Gibson makers take notice. To me, it’s more than just a vintage guitar; it’s a piece of Japanese musical history.
コメント