A Greco EGF-850 Super Real Series manufactured in 1981.

Greco had been producing imitations of so-called Norlin-ECL Les Pauls made from 1968 in Gibson.  Here we call them “New Les Paul” for the sake of convenience.  In 1979, they started to produce “Super Real Series” to sell ’Burst replicas.

It can be said that Tokai made Greco and Fernandes start to produce ‘Burst replicas.  Tokai LS series again let us be aware of ‘Burst was origin and best quality of Les Paul.

Time just gave New Les Paul a stern evaluation.  High evaluation of ‘Burst had just revived.  It was natural because New Les Pauls were actually far from ‘Burst in quality.

But it was the only in the history of Gibson.  The quality of Japanese New Les Pauls were apparently superior to original then.  Greco kept trying to make best quality on New Les Pauls, but not to try reducing the cost like Gibson.  Otherwise Japanese guitar couldn’t became so-called lawsuit guitar.  Japanese companies induced the lawsuit, couldn’t escape the charge of business ethics, of course it was not right. But simultaneously it was a one of evidence that Gibson had a sense of crisis to Japanese guitar quality.

Greco Les Pauls in this era, their specifications were a little complicated because of transition.  One of the sure ways to identify the grade is inlays on fingerboard. If they are made of pear oyster, EGF-850 or upper grade one.

EGF-850s are divided into two version by pickups. Early version has PU-2 pickups which has “PU-2” engraving, and later version has “Screamin’”.  "Screamin’" has decal of "Screamin' 1982” from 1982 but early version has no decal.

This one has no decal Screamin’.  I tried to measure their DC resistance value and confirmed 7.81kΩ on neck PU, 7.62kΩ on bridge PU.  They were almost same as my "Screamin' 1982” in stock, 7.70kΩ on neck PU，7.55kΩ on bridge PU.

Dressing board top is beautiful but a little disappointing. 4.22kg(includes strings). (Updated 2016.8.24)