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1976 Greco L-100, L-5CES 'Lawsuit' Model
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Serial #: I766192, M. Sugihara signed label. Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25" Nut width: 1 11/16' Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .79/.96
Materials: Bookmatched arched laminate spruce top; figured arched maple laminate back and sides; solid 3 piece maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard and compensated bridge; mother of pearl block fingerboard inlay and peghead inlay; 5-ply body, headstock and pickguard binding, triple bound fingerboard, bound f-holes
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes adjustable L-5 style art-deco tailpiece, Greco logo Smooth Tuner sealed tuning machines; adjustable compensated Tuneomatic style bridge with inlaid feet; black bonnet volume and tone controls; 3 way pickup selector switch. Vintage correct bound tortoise pickguard. Seymour Duncan PAF pickups installed, original gold Maxon U-2000 pickups included.
Notes: If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, consider this guitar a valentine to the Gibson Guitar Company. In the early 70's, Japan's Fujigen Corporation, builder of Ibanez and other professional quality brands, set out to make high-precision replicas of Gibson's top-end instruments. So successful were they that Gibson sued to stop production, which was subsequently halted under court order. Now known as 'lawsuit' models, these guitars have become legendary for their rarity, and their scrupulous faithfulness to the originals.
By 1975, Ibanez was forced to abandon their Gibson style 'open book' pegheads and logos, in order to continue distribution in the US. Meantime, the Greco firm, established in 1960, simply rebranded the fabled Ibanez lawsuit L-5s. Even their inner labels were also hand signed by Fujigen head luthier M. Sugihara. But why haven't you seen these Greco L-5s? Because they were forbidden by law to be sold anywhere in the American market.
Meticulously constructed, this guitar, Greco model L-100, is identical in every respect to its Ibanez counterpart, the model 2455. The solid ebony fingerboard is inlaid with pearl split block inlays, and the body shows handsome bookmatched tiger flame in the back and sides. Fitted with all original gold hardware, this gleaming guitar also has an upgrade set of Seymour Duncan PAF pickups, with the original Maxon U-2000 pickups included. Details count: even the 3 way pickup selector is accurate right down to its rubber cushion gasket.
A true gig warrior with a comfortable modern neck profile, these models have been coveted by working pros, who prefer to leave their spendy Gibsons at home. The arched, highly figured laminate bodies are exceptionally resistant to feedback, as well as to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This striking example shows no cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and has smooth low action over brilliant pro fretwork, with a fresh high precision setup. The multi-ply binding is all original and tight to the body, with only a few scattered stress lines in the cutaway area.
If you've been searching for one of these beauties, don't dawdle: this guitar is the most faithful clone anyone's going to build, as long as Gibson has lawyers. One only: call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge conditioned; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Heavy duty black pro quality plush lined gig bag.
