Fender Bonnie Raitt Signature 1996, < Back Fender Bonnie Raitt Signature 1996 N561996 Built in May 1996, this Bonnie Raitt signature edition Stratocaster is in 3-colour sunburst rather than the slightly more challenging blue. It has an alder body, maple narrow C profile neck and rosewood board, and the highly admired Texas Special single coils, which have an over-wound hi-presence character - great for those in-between sounds. The 4ply white Pearloid scratchplate completes the look. Like many of our finest playing instruments, this one has seen some life. There has been a minor repair to the body under the tremolo - it is completely invisible from the outside, and an unfathomable cause! Someone has been careless when removing the tremolo fixing screws perhaps. It's invisible, it doesn't affect the function in any way, but we must mention it. There are signs that the guitar has been used properly - the scratchplate screws had seen some heavy blues sweat. We have replaced them with new ones but the staining on the plate remains - signs of a good life. It is no case queen - it isn't a mint never been used collector's box ticked - this is a fine Strat that someone previously has enjoyed and used properly, (maybe not wiping it down enough but what are guitars actually for?). We have set it up on 10-46, and as a Strat that rings and rings; and an action height that can have a slide on it without fretting, but low enough to remain comfortable. The middle pick-up is set a little higher than the normal Stratocasters so those Bonnie Raitt covers will be accurate - neck and middle together is totally addictive. Price Availability £1,895 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1996 Pick-ups Texas Special Selector 5 way Bridge Vintage tremolo Board Rosewood 3.64 kg; 8lbs 0 oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1977 Greco SE-500N, Good honest workhorse - timeless style and ready for work. < Back 1977 Greco SE-500N D773175 This guitar just shouts 1977 - as if it arrived on the back seat of a 4th generation Pontiac Grand Prix, a yellow Dolomite Sprint, or more appropriately I guess for a Greco, a Celica Hardtop Coupe. SE-500s from 1977 came with a variety of neck profiles - this one is particularly skinny - a slight V - almost 1956/7 Strat; and those familiar with early JV MIJ Fenders may find this very familiar. Those preferring a chunky handfull need not apply, and look at our Matsumoku produced models - always much chunkier. So, a 50s neck, 70s finish and headstock, and a 60's weight - I reckon this may make this someone's perfect guitar! Especially as this will be a fraction of the price of a 70s Fender. These 500 models did share the PU-100 - a splendid evolution of the original short fat Maxons from the early 70s. They retain the airy brightness of the early low output versions, but add a bit more wire to get to the high 7s DCR. They have a very old-school feel to them, but that's the idea for these - they were of their time and what a time it was! The bridge is original and a very faithful tribute to the originals from USA - even the saddle screws are in fine condition, but we can renew them if required. The tuners are the usual high quality MH-803 - they will outlast us all. We thoroughly clean and polish the majority of guitars we bring in, but this one excaped the polishing routine as the dullness actually adds to the appeal - a busy guitar is always a great looing one - people pay good money to get a guitar to look like this. There would be a shiney finish if you wanted, but I like to think that Rory Gallagher didn't bother with more than a wipedown and reasonably careful docking in the rack. That's all this has ever had. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQo4mW82vVY Price Availability £795 Sold Recommendation Enjoy it, or let's upgrade it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1977 Pick-ups Maxon PU-100 Selector 3-way Blade Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Maple 3.45kg; 7lbs 10oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Greco EG-600P, Ultimate value alternative < Back Greco EG-600P C786613 It isn't necessary to be devotees of Frehley or Frampton to enjoy a triple Les Paul. New affordable ones have very underwhelming pick-ups, proper ones are grotesquely expensive. There is a little known relatively affordable alternative option to have a proper vintage guitar, in the right spec, honest aging and patina because it has earned it for nearly 50 years, and sounding just like it should. Both Matsumoku and Fujigen began making triple pick-up model in 1977 - most Aria Pro II models had the 3V1T configuration and most Fujigen models had the all important 5 leaf selector switch and the traditional late 50s middle and bridge tone. This one is traditional and has just been recommissioned to replace the consumable components that had reached the end of their useful life. New pots and a new Gibson OEM switch now govern these Maxon U-1000 pick-ups - probably the most appropriate version the PAF copies for this guitar. It is creamy smooth and growly as need be; that middle position loses a lot of the muddiness of the twin pick-up version. More focus on the treble, but still warm and authentic. This one has been very busy - many of our finest vintage offerings have been busy and we think this is a great indicator of a great guitar. This is no exception - weathered, a chip or two, discoloured plastics, a bit of neck binding shrinkage - all adding to the aesthetic but not having any effect on the performance. It is always amusing to check the asking prices for original vintage Gibsons; slightly scary to see how much a new one will cost. Epiphone will offer much cheaper alternatives but by the time the necessary upgrades to get it sounding right are funded, this one will still be cheaper. With the recent passing of Ace Frehley, triples are likely to have a period of popularity and price hikes. No such cynical behaviour here - this one remains the ultimate value option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2TfCald2Lk It comes with its original fitted case Price Availability £1,000 Sold Recommendation put it back to work Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups 3 x Maxon U-1000 Selector 3-way Bridge Original ToM Board Rosewood 4.0kg; 8lbs 15oz Modifications replaced pots and switch (5 leaf) Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1975 Greco SE-500B, A beautiful late Matsumoku built Strat < Back 1975 Greco SE-500B Pre-serial Number This is very late Gneco, possibly one of the last before the spelling improved a few months later. The date on the scratchplate is January 1975, the pots are 500k so this is real crossover model. Most surviving SE-500s from this era are sunburst or natural, we occasionally find a white one, but finding a black one is much harder. This mid-range model of Greco was a popular work-horse instrument and many arrive here with an amazing road worn patina, but still perfectly functional. This SE-500 has led a very charmed life - only a few parking knocks to speak of - the plastics and neck condition indicate it was stored in its case between uses. This is the model that featured that very thoughtfully designed truss rod cover in the scratchplate - a thorough improvement over the previous open area that invited dust and grime into the pick-up cavities. The original Maxon pick-ups are in rude health - providing that slightly scooped yet biting tone - they sound amazing with a little crunch. These pick-ups have been thoroughly checked and their leads reflowed to the base plate to ensure their output for another 50 years. Plugging into a little practice amp is very rewarding - the more drive you give it the better! Through the bigger valve amps here just makes it better - bordering on addictive. They don't pretend to be high fidelity precision definition units - these are growly bright and fun; the tone controls will give you a warmer cleaner sound if you need. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U80p1_K-NY This guitar is approaching its 50th birthday and I see no reason why it won't go on for another 50. It comes in its original Greco case, has its original tremolo arm, and user guide (in Japanese). Price Availability £845 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1975 Pick-ups Maxon x3 Selector 3-Way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Maple 3.98kg; 8lbs 12oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Fernandes STJ-80BT VH7, A left-field choice well worth trying < Back Fernandes STJ-80BT VH7 No Number Buck Tick was (and still is) a well-known post-punk rock band in Japan – both guitarists are very loyal to Fernandes and have had signature models since the beginning. This is one of Hisashi Imai’s models – they became increasingly wild as the years progressed. We have had a few of these STJs in the last year - always popular due to the power to weight ratio. A double octave super slim and slick neck, fixed bridge and simple set-up – basically a Telecaster on steroids , then a dose of something illegal. These are pro-level instruments – obvious as soon as you pick it up. As we never tire of mentioning, we sourced, made and experimented with guitars for the late Keith Levene and this particular STJ was singled out by him for us to experiment with. We replaced the FGI-T pick-ups with a pair of VH-7 hot-rails style pick-ups, added a series option for them and now this guitar punches and shouts, yet with a quick roll back of the tone, becomes creamy and smooth. This now suits virtually any style of music you need it to deliver, but relishes the high gain - even metal - settings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfLQJ9imhUQ Price Availability £££ Sold Recommendation A left-field choice, but well worth a try. These pick-ups really make a difference. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year Mid-1990s Pick-ups Fernandes VH-7 bridge and neck Selector 3 way Bridge Gotoh GTC102 Board Rosewood 3.21kg, 7lbs 1oz Modifications VH-7 pick-up upgrade; series/parallel via tone pot Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Greco SE-500, Ready for another 47 years < Back Greco SE-500 F781864 Always a firm favourite here, a white Greco SE-500, this one with the added bonus of a Rosewood board so a proper 1960s look! The necks on the Fujigen guitars are a much slimmer C than the earlier Matsumoku models from across town. The pick-ups are original to the guitar and by mid 1977 had evolved to PU-100s, retaining the snappy and airy brightness of the older units, but delivering a slightly more defined and controlled set of tones. We are a little excited by the serial number under the scratchplate - it starts with a 1, which can mean the experimental line; and these pick-ups are wound a little hotter than most of the PU-100 we have seen here. What is important though, is that these sound amazing - take a listen to the demo. At 3.74kg, it is right in the middle of the range we see from Fujigen for these years - there were some absolute beasts as well as some featherweights. The handshake says there is plenty there, but won't give your shoulder a hard time. This is the type of guitar that will hook you in before you even plug it in - it has an acoustic ring we only experience with either expensively upgraded models, or very high end Fenders. This guitar has been well used, and on arrival we thought it best to replace the pots that had a reluctant scratch between 0 and 1. In their place are now 3 brand new CTS pots hooked together with proper wire, and good for decades to come. Maybe the slightly faded White finish gives away its age, but that would likely be a premium feature on a new guitar! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkSM89RxSIE This is a prime example of a mid range guitar competing admirably with premium models. If you are a serial guitar buyer, I expect this one will be a keeper. Price Availability ON SALE! Click Buy button to reveal latest price. Sold Recommendation Learn some Jeff Beck Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups Maxon PU-100 Selector 3 way Bridge Original Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood 3.74kg; 8lbs 4oz Modifications CTS premium pots Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1978 Greco SE-500PR, A very rare version of the SE-500 < Back 1978 Greco SE-500PR J783017 The 1979 Specials Catalogues from Kanda Shokai had some real anomalies to catch out the experts 40 years later. The SE-450 with a 3 way switch (450 and 700 models were both modern 5 way switches to keep up with Fender's introduction of this in 1977) is next to a bright red SE-500 with a tortoiseshell plate on the page, called the SE-500PR. This was the first time a red Greco Strat could be ordered. If you ook up a YouTube video of Peter Frampton playing Show me the Way on the Midnight Special in late 1975, you can see him playing a red Strat with a tortoiseshell plate. This 500PR is a total copy of that guitar. Should it have been a 500PF? Typo in the catalogues? A popular opinion is that he was playing a Fiesta Red 62, a more contentious opinion is that it is a Fernandes model - forget that, there were none of these MIJ Strats in hallowed hands until a lot later in that decade. The PU-100 pick-ups are the evolution of the infamous Maxons from the early 70s - still slightly fatter dimensions to the Fender pick-ups. The 100 units had a little more power than the earlier versions, and the airy brightness does remind us of the Texas Specials - after all both of them are modelled on early 1960s tones with a bit more oomph. A little winding down of the tone pots will calm the brightness without losing the volume. The neck is a very familiar C profile - not the super skinny JV style that most associate with Fujigen produced Fenders. This feels a lot more like the early Squiers from Japan - the ones that are always 'keepers'. At 3.67kg, it is a comfortable weight. The condition of this guitar is amazing - we have changed the pots to premium Alphas to avoid having to drill the plate to accommodate them. A Sozo capacitor gets that warmth from the tone roll-off without the dullness. Everything else on this SE-500PR is original and it will add a rarity to a collection, or just serve as a really good everyday guitar - perfect to gig with. Even better if you are a Frampton tribute act and have a TalkBox. If you have a triple humbucker Les Paul because of Frampton, you ought to have this too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACXVEyFRN0g Price Availability £845 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups Maxon PU-100 Selector 3-way Blade Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Maple 3.67kg; 8lbs 1 oz Modifications New potentiometers Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Versatile old warrior < Back Greco DB-600N Price £1,275 - SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Recommissioning old warriors gives us great satisfaction. This particular iteration of the 600 survived in the range from 1974 until 1978 after which the nut width increased by a few mm and the headstock shrank to the vintage style. This one personifies the 1970s - no nonsense, no need to hide the grain, 3 way switch and 4.17kg (9lbs 3oz) of heft. This is no boat anchor; just a little heavier than those before and after the 1970s. We have given this one a few extra things to warrant its place on the DreamBuild wall - firstly the frets. As with many hard-working Strats in the 70s, a fresh set of Gibson jumbo frets are set into a restored and unfinished neck. The lacquer on this one had perished to the point of getting painful, so we took it off completely. Now it really has a new guitar feel. The nut on these early 600s is just shy of a B spec, but nothing as narrow as a Jag. The nut is 40.2mm and the 12th fret is 49.7mm. It doesn't feel crowded, and nothing like the 'A' nut - the nearest equivalent we have had here would be a Custom Shop Bonnie Raitt. Sound-wise this has a few tricks up its sleeve too. The neck and middle pick-ups are original PU-100 Maxon single coils - very bright and plenty of guts in the output; and a 9.5k rewound bridge unit to provide a hotter tone than you'd expect from a 70s Strat. The 3 way switch remains, and careful fishing will get you the in-between sounds; there is the normal Master Volume, a Master Tone and now it gets interesting. We have re-purposed the lower tone control to add growl and punch from the bridge and neck pick-ups. There are no batteries in this guitar - no voltage addition, just changing the way the pick-ups behave. Rolling off the lower tone control alters the bridge pick-up tone from hot single coil to a calmer and less intense treble at the mid-point, then onto a growly P-90 type tone and then finishing with a big boost in the mids. This works on the neck pick-up in a similar fashion starting with the glassy airy blues tone through subtle jazz, then finishing at a Gibson-like howl - very reminiscent of the early Maxon humbuckers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-QDOgKD8U No batteries, no booster pcbs, just making the best use of the magnets and wire in those pick-ups. If you play through a variety of different amps, or have a complex signal path on the floor, this control will allow you to tailor the guitar output immediately. You may end up ditching some of those pedals. Obviously I am always going to melt over an older vintage guitar, and I continue to do so here with this 50 year old Greco. With no headstock tax, this is a vintage guitar that won't cause anxiety when it is unattended while you're at the bar, and won't mind a few additional knocks and scrapes. I recommission these oldies to be tools and pals, not assets to monitor the value of. As normal, old and new where it matters most. Details The Look 1970's Natural - plenty of signs of life and ready for more Headstock CBS big headstock with original MH-803 tuners in great condition Neck Refretted with Jumbo frets like so many were in the 70s. Lacquer-free now, and a lovely natural feel to the slim C 7.25 radius neck. The nut is just shy of 41mm - a real 60s feel. Pick-ups 2 vintage PU-100 at the neck and middle, and a 9.5k hotter P-100 at the bridge. Bridge Original Greco vintage tremolo Controls 3-way switch, Master Volume, Master Tone. The lower Tone control dials out some treble, then boosts the mids as you roll down to 0. No mud, just useful power. No batteries, just making the best use of the pick-ups Gallery ← Previous Next→

1979 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties Black on Black, Black on Black with Rosewood - perfection... < Back 1979 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties Black on Black I790431 This 1979 Greco SE-700 has a 2-piece body and retains its original PU-119 pick-ups with unusual but original black covers. This is another vintage Greco that blows the minds of Fender traditionalists - the neck will feel very familiar to a sixties Oval C, the weight and balance will give the impression of a very expensive original. The colour scheme is reminiscent of the Fender Black-outs and large headstock Highway One editions - it does look sensational. These PU119 pick-ups are held in high regard amongst the MIJ crowd - they respond well to subtle control changes on the guitar and the amplifier and exhibit a good clarity and slight nasal characteristic when driven. Everything on this guitar remains original - the bridge and tuners are all in great aged condition - most importantly perfectly functioning. The black scratchplate was an option at the time, and gives this guitar a really purposeful look. At a fraction over 3.59kg (7lbs 14oz) this has "that perfect Strat" weight and feel to it - there are a few parking knocks and scars on the body that give it that authentic vintage touch too - we have attempted to catch them all in the photos. None of them down to the wood. The frets have lots of life left in them, this is fast slick and comfortable like all SE-700s - arguably the sweet-spot of the range. The serial Number on this one is I790431, an early November 1979 Fujigen build from the time they were really showing off to impress the boys from Corona. A Fender guitar from this CBS era is hit and miss - there were some real howlers, and even the good ones are likely to have been upgraded by now. During this era, Fujigen and their contemporaries were just the opposite - getting better and better. This guitar feels like one of their very best. This SE-700 will put guitars twice, even three times its price to shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHG_mLr4_K8 Despite being in fantastic condition, we can talk about upgrade ideas, we can recommend Tall Narrow frets on these lovely necks; we can give it a Gotoh 510T tremolo; we could convert the electrics to Sao Paulo spec (rail humbuckers), but these are all fun indulgent options - this guitar is genuinely good to go as it is. Price Availability £1,195 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1979 Pick-ups PU-119 x 3 Selector 5-Way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood 3.60kg; 7lbs 14oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1974 Greco TE-350 | Star Fretboard, < Back 1974 Greco TE-350 | Star Fretboard Pre-serial number model These Gneco Teles are getting very thin on the ground now - even more so in this condition. Completely original, and having suffered only a tiny amount of parking damage in its 47 years, the Maxons retain their classic sounds. The bridge pickup does look a little weedy and slim compared to the classic Fender type, but it has a soul of its own - also a lot more power than you'd think. We considered upgrading the bridge unit, but every time we discussed it, we decided to just leave it as it is. It has a real soul of its own. One of the characteristics that make these old Grecos Teles stand out is the slightly shorter scale. At 24.25 inches, it is an easy swap to and from a Les Paul during a set. This is a Matsumoku built Greco (Gneco) , these skipped across town to Fujigen 1 year later. Keeping it in this condition and with regular use and servicing, this TE-350 is unlikely to ever lose value. The frets are not new, but have that glorious run-in feel with plenty of life left- the main thing is the neck (as they all are on these) is perfectly straight, and the frets are level. It has a few little scratches and dinks, but nothing unusual or out of place on a guitar that has seen this much life. It has that little mystery star at the end of the fretboard that no-one seems to understand the meaning of. I suspect it is a dealer stamp as we have seen a few of these little stars on Mats built instruments from 74 and 75. Body: AshNeck: MapleBridge: Original T-Style back-loaderPick-ups: Original MaxonControls: 3 way blade with Master Volume and ToneWeight: 3.88kg (8lbs 9oz) Perfect as it is, but we have a few upgrade options you can discuss with us - watch the video to get more information on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5BqJA3JLI8 Price Availability £795 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Original Maxon Tele Selector 3-way Blade Bridge Back Load Tele Board Maple 3.88kg; 8lbs 9oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1973 Greco SE-500B (RW), Rare spec time-warp Matsumoku < Back 1973 Greco SE-500B (RW) Pre-serial Number This is a rather rare opportunity to have a rosewood neck on a Matsumoku built Strat from the early 1970s. This guitar fundamentally dates from late 1973 - the bridge and the tuners are perfect for this period. Rosewood necks were an 18,000Yen option on these guitars - quite a chunk of money in the 1970s. Under the rosewood board is the engineered 5 piece maple neck - held in very high esteem by MIJ enthusiasts. A departure from the Fender style, but Matsumoku were always trying to improve on tradition - facsimile copies were not the objective despite the talk of Lawsuit era etc. This one arrived from Japan in almost time-warp condition - the frets were, however, almost worn to nothing so a fresh set have gone on, and the rosewood board refurbished to take a slight hump that the rod couldn't cope with. It's now as good as new and ready for another few decades of service. The pick-ups are classic short fat Maxon singles - 4.5k, and the sort of output that makes you braver with the gain knob on the amp or the OD-3. Bright, airy but digs in and makes sure it is heard in any mix. With the neck refurbishment, this guitar feels and plays like a very premium model; and will happily sit alongside a modern Fender in a rack - it may even put it to shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDT4nmF4Tg This guitar still has its original case, its original strap is still in the pocket. Price Availability £895 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1973 Pick-ups Maxons Selector 3-way Bridge Vintage tremolo Board Rosewood 3.68kg; 8lbs 1oz Modifications Re-fretted Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1973 Greco SE-500, Fully unleashed vintage Matsumoku < Back 1973 Greco SE-500 Pre-serial Number This is another fine example of a pre-serial number Matsumoku Stratocaster destined for the home market in Greco guise. Despite being significantly cheaper than the imported US equivalent, this guitar represents incredible value for money compared to the “real thing” from 1973. The neck profile is a substantial C, unlike the later and better-known JVs, the scale is as you would expect unlike some very early Strat clones, and an interesting 10" radius to that beautiful maple fretboard.. The pick-ups are pure Maxon – bright and airy and the previous owner has converted the selector switch to a 5 way unit so accessing the velvety in-between settings is now no longer a function of luck and making everyone wait 3 bars while you find them. The guitar has had a recent refret, and a very nice job too. New frets on a Harayama 5-piece neck is usually DreamBuild territory,and makes an already fabulous feeling guitar into a perfect one. The bridge pick-up is now controlled by the lower tone control, the upper tone control now taking care of the neck and middle units. Maxons were always a bright sounding pick-up, and the ability to tame that bridge tone is very useful. Have a listen to it in the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UoQRe0o_n0 And look at the beautiful fretboard - this kind of quality is usually reserved for Masterbuilt guitars! The 500 was the premium model back in 1973; the 550 and 600s were still a year away so the 500s from 73 really had the pick of the timbers. Price Availability £845 1 at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Enjoy it as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1973 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 5-way Bridge Original Vintage Board Maple 3.77kg; 8lbs 5oz Modifications 5-way switch and reconfigured tone controls Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38