• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

How to recognize a Greco EG1000R custom LP

ermis33

New member
Joined
May 25, 2022
Messages
5
Hello everyone!

First post here, although I 've been watching the forum for a while.

I have a chance of getting what seems to be a 1978 Greco EG1000r custom LP, which I'm going to try tomorrow in person. The thing is that the seller is not sure about the model, since he doesn't know what kind of pickups the guitar has (they are uncovered) and given that the guitar's hardware seems to be chrome other than golden - most probably the tuners and the bridge have been replaced - and that it probably has a dark rosewood fretbd.

From my own research I have gathered that the basic specs of a 1978 Greco EG1000R custom LP are 1) ebony fretboard with fred edge binding and mother of pearl block inlays, 2) slim 70s three piece maple neck, 3) one piece maple top over one piece mahogany body, 4) carved serial number on headstock back, 5) Grover tuners, 6) "lawsuit" split diamond headstock, 6) a pair of Maxon U3000 or PU2.covered humbuckers, 7) nitro finish and 8) golden hardware all around.

So I would like to ask the more Greco knowledgeable forum members 1) is my list of specs accurate? 2) is there any chance that the said model came in a rosewood fretboard variation? 3) what else should I look for in order to determine if model of the guitar is right or if it is a lower model? 4) given that I plan to get the guitar if it proves to be the 1000 model, provided the price lower the bit (say 700 to750 eur), is it worth it to get it even if it proves to be a lower model ( i.e. EG800 which I believe is almost the same with nitro finish and different pups, or even a lower one, i.e. EG500) ? And what would be a good price then?

I am attaching some photos of the actual guitar I am going to inspect tomorrow for reference.

Apologies for the long post but I believe it might prove useful in consolidating the basic specs of the pre Super Real era Greco customs.

Thanks in advance for any input!
 

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
544
Hello everyone!

First post here, although I 've been watching the forum for a while.

I have a chance of getting what seems to be a 1978 Greco EG1000r custom LP, which I'm going to try tomorrow in person. The thing is that the seller is not sure about the model, since he doesn't know what kind of pickups the guitar has (they are uncovered) and given that the guitar's hardware seems to be chrome other than golden - most probably the tuners and the bridge have been replaced - and that it probably has a dark rosewood fretbd.

From my own research I have gathered that the basic specs of a 1978 Greco EG1000R custom LP are 1) ebony fretboard with fred edge binding and mother of pearl block inlays, 2) slim 70s three piece maple neck, 3) one piece maple top over one piece mahogany body, 4) carved serial number on headstock back, 5) Grover tuners, 6) "lawsuit" split diamond headstock, 6) a pair of Maxon U3000 or PU2.covered humbuckers, 7) nitro finish and 8) golden hardware all around.

So I would like to ask the more Greco knowledgeable forum members 1) is my list of specs accurate? 2) is there any chance that the said model came in a rosewood fretboard variation? 3) what else should I look for in order to determine if model of the guitar is right or if it is a lower model? 4) given that I plan to get the guitar if it proves to be the 1000 model, provided the price lower the bit (say 700 to750 eur), is it worth it to get it even if it proves to be a lower model ( i.e. EG800 which I believe is almost the same with nitro finish and different pups, or even a lower one, i.e. EG500) ? And what would be a good price then?

I am attaching some photos of the actual guitar I am going to inspect tomorrow for reference.

Apologies for the long post but I believe it might prove useful in consolidating the basic specs of the pre Super Real era Greco customs.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I see you posted over at the MLPF. You will likely receive a much more valid reply there than here.

Having said that the 1978 EG1000 is cataloged as having the PU-2 pickup but then there are some times those MIJ curve balls.
I have seen the occasional Greco example that is cataloged with pickups ABC and one will pop up with pickups XYZ. It is not real common but it has been known to happen.

Later (1980/1981) PU-2 examples typically will have the bases embossed (into the metal) with PU-2 but I'm not sure about PU-2s from 1978.
Ask the seller if he can supply you with pics of the pickup bases.

As far as the body I would expect the typical 'pancake' construction that is typical from the 1978 era. Ask for pics of the body end/sides.
The pic of the body back you posted looks like a veneer, similar to some Fresher LP types. This can offer the look of a 1 piece body. Not saying it is a veneer but certainly something to be aware of and to look out for. Grain on the body back also doesn't look like hog.
Just by observing the grain on the body back from your pic I am skeptical this is a 1000.

Could be an EG500C
 
Last edited:

ermis33

New member
Joined
May 25, 2022
Messages
5
Thanks for the reply! I tested the Greco today, it definitely does not look like a 1000, more like a lower model, no fret edge binding, but of course the guitar may have been refretted, and it was extremely light, leading me to believe that the body is chambered (not necessarily bad). The setup was extremely low, so I think I can not have a clear opinion about the sustain of the guitar....a friend of mine who plays lead guitar in a metal band, who was with me and also tried the guitar, liked it and thought it sustained well.... In any case the back is not mahogany, but rather maple veneer, like the top, and the pickups did not blow me away...
 
Top