1973 Greco EG-380B

Here is a great example of an early Fujigen built model, the gold metalwork has aged as gracefully as possible; aside from one corner of the headstock, the binding is still in one piece and faded to that perfect cream colour. The original Maxon humbuckers deliver the creamy warmth at the neck, and the growl at the bridge - full of the character they are renowned for. No need to upgrade these.

Double bound with the 3 ply binding continuing around the fretboard, this really has the Custom look. At 3.7kg (8lbs 4oz) it is neither a boat anchor nor a super flyweight - just the right weight and balance to hang off the shoulder for a long set.

The world is waking up to these magnificent copies - the Greco models feeling like the real thing when compared to the cheaper export models such as Columbus and other shop-branded models that we saw in the UK and Europe in the mid-70s. Grecos were mostly domestic market models when import taxes put real Gibsons out of reach for most people.

It has a chunky neck, not a super skinny one as found on the 360s and many 420s, and this has put a smile on a few faces of folk who have "real ones" from this era. It is of course a bolt-one neck, so of no interest to purists, but that is not what this guitar is for. It isn't trying to be a £5,000 Black Beauty, but for the values these have, they punch well above their weight.

Perfect for gigging - the sounds are spot on, the looks are spot on - no-one sees the neck plate from the audience. A good 53 year old guitar will almost always feel more friendly and be more soulful than a new Chinese one. If a guitar this old has made it this far in this condition and with this playability, you know it is a good one and not even half way through its life.