Greco EG-480B K75

A timeless alternative to a new Epiphone - there is a lot of sense in affordable vintage guitars over brand new ones; and yes, this is bolt on neck and therefore may present a challenge to a purist. If this isn't a complete turn-off, this guitar is a wonderful example of how well Fujigen were producing guitars in the mid-1970s. This one has a couple of parking knocks and dings to remind you it is 50 years old but nothing to detract.

The 480 was the top of the range for the bolt-on models, and has superior hardware to the lower order 360s and 420s. The tuners are the evolution of the well regarded and reliable "star-tuners" - these have an action and feel missing from all but the most expensive tuners today. Once these guitars started receiving serial numbers, the star had been replaced with the Greco logo; but they are identical construction. The body is a chambered sycamore topped pancake mahogany construction, the weight is precisely 4.00kg (8lbs 13oz); and the acoustic resonance is very pleasing even before you plug it in. The maple neck is capped with an ebony fretboard - the scale is faithful and the neck has a substantial 50s-style C-shaped profile carve, measuring .890” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. It has the feel of a far more prestigious brand. 

The Maxon pick-ups are never a disappointment, and have a soul, a warmth and can be as smooth or growly as you wish with the controls. By 1976, these pick-ups had a new name – U-1000. This is the type of guitar you can lose hours and hours with, and it defies its price tag, and hopes you'll give it a chance despite the presence of a neck plate. This November 1975 is one of the first EG-480s to receive a serial number. 

A 1975 Gibson will set you back many thousands of pounds or dollars - this one will be a tiny fraction of that and is a very viable alternative to a brand-new Epiphone. 50 year old guitars built by the big manufacturers in Japan are a bit of well-kept secret - nothing new of a comparable price will play like these, and while the top end Super Real and Mint Series Grecos now approach the astronomical price levels that rival the Gibsons themselves, make the most of this well-kept secret while it lasts and bring an EG480B into your life before the market pulls these prices up too.  

If you prefer the company of an older guitar rather than an underwhelming modern, give this one some serious thought. They are getting rarer in this condition - this one is ready for another 50 years