Greco tries Alembic copy

[KR]

Look closely at the controls. I've never seen this model of copy. https://www.ebay.com/itm/155502268986?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m43.l3160&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=7b5eceba5098417cab14422a7e62e486&bu=43197246228&ut=RU&exe=0&ext=0&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20230413063142&segname=11021

[gtrguy]

That's interesting. I recently played a vintage Greco copy of a P bass (I think made in the 70's or early 80's) and it was a killer bass. They made some good and some not so good stuff back in the day.

[hieronymous]

Wow - very interesting. My first bass was a Greco EB-3 copy - I was just thinking about it the other day, I was probably a freshman and an upperclassman whose brother was my friend pressured me into selling it to him.

Anyway, I have never seen one of these - maybe it was a one-off? I lived in Japan from 1982 to 1988 and visited guitar stores regularly, though actually that probably wasn't until I was a little older, so 84 or so. Things were getting pretty sophisticated by then, to me this looks older than 1981 but who knows?

[lbpesq]

I’ve seen numerous Greco guitars that were significantly inspired by Alembic.  This is the first Alembic-style Greco bass I’ve seen.   Here’s a Greco guitar that’s currently on Bay Area Craigslist.  Looks a lot like an Ibanez Musician.

Bill, tgo


https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/d/san-mateo-greco-go-made-in-japan/7606053169.html

[gearhed289]

Can't seem to reply with quote this morning, but Greco instruments were made in the same factory as Ibanez - Fujigen. They also made their own version of the Iceman guitar, and lots of really good Gibson clones.

[flavofive]

That Greco GO1200 guitar on the SF Bay Craigslist is sweet; I've seen it recently as well.  The GO models always immediately make me think of Talking Heads, as both David Byrne and Adrian Belew played the Roland G-303 - basically the same guitar and all part of the same production, just with different specs + guitar synth.  IMO, the Greco GO series actually looks a lot nicer!  Very Alembic-influenced.
From the Stop Making Sense movie:

[room037]

First BK-1200 8 strings Bass was made 1979, produced by music shop "Key" with AK-1400 (Flying V shape guitar).
I believe these instruments were inspired by Greg Lake Scorpion 8 strings and AE-16 Flying V guitar.
AK-1400 Flying V guitar is well known, Ace Frehley played KISS live in Japan 1979.
BK-1200 8 strings Bass was Greco & Key store's ad with Tom Petersson in Japan Jam 2 Aug.1980.
Both instruments has nice Jacaranda veneer top and back with surrounded binding.
I didn't know the 5pin construction of BK bass, but I found the photo of the circuit.
It was simply passive 2 Pu construction, but switch phone jack mixed both PU when the plugged in, and each PU signal are send to 5 pin for stereo out. (No.2 and 4 pins & other pins are earthed)

After few years, BK-1200 were made with maple like top wood and mahogany body.

Eiji

[bigredbass]

A quick cruise through 80's Japanese basses shows LOTS of Alembic influence, whether the SB Arias, the Ibanez Musicians, and on and on.

[mb94952]

That is a nice looking Greco bass. Some of those 70'-80's MIJ basses were REALLY good. This one seems like no exception and the inlays are outstanding.

[David Houck]

Thanks Eiji!