GRECO Mint Collection copy of the 1959 ES-335 Dot
This is a dead-on copy of a 1959 Gibson ES-335 Dot.
Ir is not easy tracking down information on some of these Greco’s. As best I can tell, this is from the “Mint Collection” from somewhere around 1978-82, made by Tokai (yes you read that correctly. The telltale sign is the routing in the pickup cavities). There is no sticker on the inside, nor a serial number on the back of the headstock (characteristic of the Mint Collection). What I do know is it is a fantastic looking, playing and sounding guitar. It appears to be nitro finished. I believe it sat at or near the top of Greco’s lineup, not one of the inexpensive sub-$1000 models. It had some kind of generic Japanese pickups (not the “Dry-Z) when i bought it.
What I’ve done to it:
Totally gutted the Asian electronics and replaced with
CTS low tolerance vintage taper 500K pots
Paper-in-oil tone caps
Switchcraft switch
Switchcraft jack
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PAF’s
Vintage-style pushback wire
50’s style wiring
The fit, finish, and playability are outstanding. Of my 10 electrics, it’s a toss-up between my Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul and this SA-59 for best action and playability. The Seth Lover’s sound FANTASTIC in the 335 platform. I play mostly acoustic now so I hardly ever give this beauty any of my time anymore. It is in overall excellent condition for a 35 year old guitar, the only major ding being a chunk off the edge of the headstock when I stupidly bumped it into my popcorn ceiling when removing it from a wall hanger (Doh!)
Comes with a Gibson Memphis 335 hard shell case.