History of GRECO Guitar III

Greco started to make many Gibson replicas in mid of 70’s. It is very simple reason. Kanda-Shokai was an importer of Gibson USA that time. Kanda Shokai asked Fujigen makemany kind of Gibson replica. Fujigen started to export these guitars as Ibanez brand for U.S.A. Well, these guitars became the “lawsuit guitar”.

Kanda started the custom made guitars around 1972. The guitarist, Mick Ralphs of Bad Company, visited Kanda’s guitar repair room, then, discussed about his custom Guitar. This guitar became “MR” series guitar. Kanda started “project Series” after “MR” guitar.They offered the replica of Brian May guitar, Rickenbacker Paul McCartney model and etc…

Late 70’s, many overseas guitarists used the Alembic guitars. It has the though neckconstructions with long sustain. Greco marketing team developed the “GO” series guitar which has though neck and complicated many control switches in 1978.
The market (players) accepts these new series guitars. Kanda started the TV commercial films, also had many endorsement contract with Japanese musicians. It made the good sales of GO series. Kanda added “GO-II”, “GO-III” and “Mirage” series under good sales situation.

Kanda offered “Super Real” series almost same time. Les Paul Replica EGF-1000 was evaluated as better than original by many musicians here.They invested much cost for "Super Real" series. The wood materials are better than original. The metal parts were re-designed, close to the original Les Paul. They develpped the humbucker pick up which were called "DRY". Greco use this pick up for EGF-1200 and EGF1800 (EGF-850 had "PU-2", EGF-1000 had "Dimarzio PAF").

In 1981, Kanda started talk with Fender USA and Yamano to establish the Fender Japan. Naturally, GRECO SE-1200 super real Stratocaster replica became the last Greco branded Stratocaster. Greco started Strat Replica in 1973, they ended 9 years Strat production.

In 80’s, Greco brand had a hard time. They have targeted the original model. Of course, they could not make Strat replica. Gibson had started the “Orville by Gibson". No more Gibson replica from Greco guitar even now.

Now, Greco brand still exist. But, it became mostly GRECO-Zemaitis guitar.
Kanda Shokai is trading company and had many agency of international brand. Kanda took the license of Zemaitis brand manufacturing. They are producing Zemaitis by High-End guitar, Greco-Zemaitis by Tokai.