{"product_id":"1973-74-greco-gneco-te-280-te-350-vintage-white-matsumoku-mij","title":"1973-74 Greco Gneco TE-280\/TE-350 Vintage White Matsumoku MIJ","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA very cool pre-serial Greco “Gneco” T-style guitar from the early 1970s, built in Japan by Matsumoku.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guitar dates to approximately 1973-74 and falls directly into the transition between Greco’s TE-280 and TE-350 models. The 1973 catalog lists this configuration as the TE-280 at ¥28,000, while the following year the comparable model appears as the TE-350. These early examples predate Greco’s later serial-number system, so I'm identifying this one as a 1973-74 TE-280\/TE-350. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe headstock carries the distinctive early “Gneco” logo — Greco’s stylized logo from this period where the letter “r” famously resembles an “n.” The neck plate is stamped “MATSUMOKU \/ MADE IN JAPAN,” positively identifying its Matsumoku manufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeatures include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-serial early-1970s Greco construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatsumoku-built in Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVintage White \/ aged cream finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaple neck and maple fingerboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 24.75\" scale length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e21 frets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo single-coil pickups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3-way pickup selector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaster volume and tone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop-loading three-saddle bridge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemovable chrome bridge cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVintage-style tuning machines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite pickguard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unusual short scale is one of the features that separates these early Matsumoku Grecos from a conventional Fender-style build. Period TE-350 examples are documented with the same top-loading bridge, Maxon pickups and shorter-than-Fender scale. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guitar has just been cleaned and restrung.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is Good with normal scratches, marks, finish wear and hardware aging consistent with a guitar that is now more than 50 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is one important condition item to note: an area of wood at the body side of the neck pocket had deteriorated\/rotted away at some point in the guitar’s life. That area has been filled, but the repair remains cosmetically visible around the neck joint as shown in the photos. We are mentioning this clearly so there are no surprises for the next owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frets show very little wear and have plenty of life remaining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large removable bridge cover is especially nice to see still with the guitar, as these are frequently missing from surviving examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an interesting piece from the earliest period of serious Japanese Fender-style production — before the later Spacey Sound Grecos and before Greco’s better-known late-1970s FujiGen era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCase: Hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale Length: 24.75“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNut Width: 1.67“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFret Wear: 9.8\/10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction at 12F (6th): .11“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction at 12F (1st): .1“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight: 8lbs 2oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Condition: 7.2\/10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCool Factor: 11 out of 10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSA Seller, check my feedback to see how I value my customers and see my other listings for more rare Japanese Guitars and other unique gear! I use recycled packaging for reduced environmental impact and ship all items 100% insured against loss or damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternal Use (Bin) - PA-14\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Greco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54335234376044,"sku":"UNI-3286734","price":899.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0991\/9378\/2636\/files\/DSC02960.jpg?v=1788972911","url":"https:\/\/japaneseguitarcompany.com\/products\/1973-74-greco-gneco-te-280-te-350-vintage-white-matsumoku-mij","provider":"Japanese Guitar Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}