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GO Nakayama's Greco GO Special Feature

GO Nakayama's Greco GO Special Feature

 

One day, a red car appeared in front of the store!!
Looking closely, it was the president's car
"Great work today!!" I rushed over and opened the trunk—what a surprise!!
Yes, the president had captured a whole haul of Japan vintage!!
Such a large shipment is extremely rare... Vintage instruments I'd never seen before were stacked up inside.
Massive guitar haul being brought into the store, brought in!!
A few days later,
the president suddenly gave an order...
President: "Nakayama!! Try writing a column on the Greco GO series!!"
Nakayama: "Eh...!! Ah, yes... I'll, I'll do it."
Oh no... I've agreed to it...
There's no turning back now... I have to do it!!
I was fired up, but I knew absolutely nothing about Japan Vintage...
I gotta figure this out... Scrambling through old catalogs and precious documents... Study, study!!
And so
my journey into Greco research began!!
This time, the target is the GO series, which enjoys immense popularity and trust among domestic guitar fans!!
I'll be sharing the story behind its creation and the wonderful appeal of the GO series!!

 

Greco is Kanda Shokai's own brand, established in 1960...
In 1963, it began full-scale sales of electric guitars, initially outsourcing production to Fujigen under OEM contracts.
In the 1970s... a copy model war erupted among domestic guitar manufacturers!!
Amidst this fierce competition, Greco also produced numerous legendary copy models!!
Following the immensely successful Les Paul-inspired EG series, Gibson-style copy models are being released one after another!!

GRECO began focusing on its own original brand production in the late 1970s. The GRECO GO Series, which captivates Japan's vintage guitar enthusiasts, saw its first model born in 1977!!
It then evolved through the GOⅡ and GOⅢ, becoming a legendary instrument steeped in history that is still talked about today.

The GOⅢ's development involved
Takami Asano, guitarist for Godiego—who took the world by storm with hits like "Monkey Magic," "Galaxy Express 999," and "Gandhara"—was involved in its development and famously played one himself!!
Back then, it became the object of admiration for guitar kids everywhere.

We'll introduce the GO→GOⅡ→GOⅢ models that have arrived at TCGAKKI by type.

Greco GO1400DS w/T.S. Vibrato Early Model 1978

The top-of-the-line model in the GO series!!
Although an early model, it features the T.S. Vibrato and has been
with a meticulously selected wood selection and a premium look that exudes authority!!
Carefully selected wood and a luxurious look exude authority!!
Standard features include 1 volume, 1 tone, and 3-band EQ, enabling versatile sound shaping
!!

【SPEC.】
BODY: Sen + Maple + Sen Arched-top
NECK: Maple+Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
PICKUPS: Original PU-3D x2
BRIDGE: T.S. Vibrato *Modified

Gold control cavity plate.

The premium Gold Adjust Cover features
"Speed Way" lettering!!

Position marks are brass ring-shaped,
and feature select domestic Ebony (striped ebony) wood!!

Controls feature an active circuit with a 3-band
equalizer.

Amidst complex wiring, the active circuit board is

Equipped with the original PU-3D pickup.
This unit has an ivory pickup cover and is an early model. The T.S. Vibrato is standard on later models but has been modified. Newly developed for the GO series, it features 12-pole piece type and allows fine adjustment with a hex wrench!!

Greco GOⅡ950NT 1979 model

The top-of-the-line model that appeared last in the GOⅡ series!!
Body features select Walnut & Mahogany!!
Equipped with two switches for Mode and Phase, enabling 16 diverse sound creations !!
T.S. Vibrato is standard equipment, and this model is a 3-single-coil type.

The GOⅡ550 and GOⅡ750 feature two humbucker pickups.

【SPEC.】
BODY: Walnut + Mahogany + Walnut
NECK: Maple + Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
PICKUPS: Original PU-250 x3
BRIDGE:T.S. Vibrato

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Speedway Neck with Matte Finish.
Only the finest materials are used for this premium model.

The GOⅡ features a slim-profile Stratocaster-style
with a modified 6-string headstock.

The fingerboard is made of high-quality black ebony.

Front and rear pickups share the same volume control, Center pickup has independent volume control. Tone control.
Center pickup mode switch (2 Single Coil / Half Tone / Series) & Phase equipped.

Simpler passive circuit compared to the first-generation GO.

GOⅡ features three single-coil pickups.
#GOⅡ550 and GOⅡ750 feature two humbuckers:

Greco GOⅢ1500N 1979 model

T.S. Vibrato is standard equipment, and the pickup configuration is HSH.
The GOⅢ evolved with the involvement of Godiego guitarist Takumi Asano in its development.
It is affectionately known by its alternate name, the "Asano Model".

【SPEC.】
BODY: Maple arched-top
NECK: Maple+Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
PICKUPS: Original PU-3D x2, PU-250 x1
CONTROLS: MV-3V-3T-6WaySW
BRIDGE: T.S. Vibrato

BRIDGE: T.S. Vibrato xml-ph-0000@deepl.internal

Select maple with figured grain, archtop specification.

Compared to the first-generation GO, the headstock has become slightly more angular and simpler.

The ebony fingerboard features beautiful and elegant arabesque inlays.

Although not present on the original, a boost switch has been added. Each pickup features simple independent Volume and Tone controls, along with a versatile 6-way rotary switch.

Inside the cavity is a battery
.

Front & rear pickups mount the same "PU-3D" pickups as the later-model GO.
Center position: Pole-piece fixed "PU-250".

Greco GOⅡ1000DS 1979 model

Greco's first 12-string model—a truly rare gem!!
The basic specs are the same as the 750, featuring a solid mahogany body.
The double strings add depth to the sound, creating a rich, full-bodied tone that's truly captivating!!

【SPEC.】
BODY: Solid Sen
NECK: Maple + Mahogany Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
PICKUPS: Original PU-250 x3

Black aluminum backplate.
The absence of a tremolo cover gives it a clean, uncluttered look.

The 12-string model features volutes to maintain neck strength.

The fingerboard is crafted from select rosewood, featuring simple dot inlays.

A toggle switch selects between the front and rear pickups. Additionally, combining the center pickup enables variations not found on a Strat, such as "Front + Rear" or "Front + Center + Rear".

The cavity is quite simple, as it has nearly identical specs to the 50.

The sustain plate is not mounted. The bridge saddle has two slots cut into it. Three "PU-250" pickups are installed.

GOAT Original

Greco GO Blower T.S. Vibrato Replacement Tremolo Arm (
)

We've crafted an arm bar for Greco's original floating tremolo unit, the "T.S. Vibrato." Artisanal craftsmanship brings to life its uniquely curved, beautiful shape and texture.
Given it's a model from nearly 40 years ago, many may have given up on finding it. That's why TC Instruments, who deeply loves and respects Japanese vintage gear, has recreated this ultra-niche part for this column. Available in nickel and gold.

Sales Price
Nickel: ¥5,000 (excluding tax)
Gold: ¥6,000 (tax excluded)

 

How was it?
This time, we featured the GRECO GO series!!

Currently, Japanese vintage guitars are rapidly gaining recognition overseas, and their market value is soaring.

That guitar you've always dreamed of owning—"Someday I'll get my hands on it!"—might just be waiting for you at TCGAKKI!?
We also have a large inventory of vintage Japanese instruments from other brands, so please come visit our shop to hunt for hidden gems.
Of course, we also welcome inquiries by phone!!
Our entire staff looks forward to welcoming you.