Guide / SELECTED VINTAGE GUITARS
A Japanese Les Paul instead of a new guitar? Greco, Yamaha, Burny and Tokai
A solid single-cut, two humbuckers and a professional overhaul: using the Greco EG800 and Yamaha Studio Lord, we show where to find value in Japanese vintage guitars.
Value can be heard and felt in the individual instrument
When looking for a Les Paul-style guitar, it is worth looking beyond new-instrument catalogues. In our opinion, a well-maintained Japanese single-cut after a thorough overhaul is a much more interesting purchase than a new mid-range guitar. It combines a classic design with preparation of the parts you feel most when playing: frets, nut and setup.
Greco, Yamaha, Burny and Tokai represent different paths in the development of Japanese guitar craftsmanship. Within each brand, different series and trim levels were produced. That is why, rather than choosing by the logo alone, we compare the model, year, surviving hardware and the work carried out. Two excellent examples from our collection are the Greco EG800 and the Yamaha Studio Lord.
1979 Greco EG800: a classic design after an overhaul
Our Greco EG800 has a mahogany body with maple top, a set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and two Maxon PU-2 pickups. These features merit comparison with a classic Les Paul. For reference, the modern Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s also combines a mahogany body and neck with a maple top and two humbuckers, although the equipment and construction details differ.
On the EG800 we fitted Medium Jumbo frets and a new nut, conditioned the fingerboard and adjusted the action and intonation. Signs of use remain on the back of the body. For a player who accepts that appearance, it is an appealing balance: an instrument with history whose key wear components have received specific attention.
Yamaha Studio Lord: look beyond Greco and Tokai
The 1978 Studio Lord SL800 has a mahogany body with a maple top and a three-piece maple neck. This example has a Seymour Duncan 59 at the bridge and retains its Yamaha neck pickup. Our workshop fitted new frets and a nut, shielded the electronics and performed a setup. Scuffs and finish chips remain on the back of the body.
The SL600S from around 1979 is the second example. It also received new frets; it has a replacement neck pickup and its original Yamaha bridge pickup. In our listings we give a weight of 3.99 kg for the SL600S and 4.56 kg for the SL800. That difference is worth feeling on a strap. A heavier guitar is not automatically better for it — comfort at a rehearsal or a gig is a perfectly valid buying criterion.
Yamaha Studio Lord SL600S - Sunburst, Lawsuit era, approx. 1979Photos, service record and current offer details →
Yamaha Studio Lord SL800 - Sunburst, Lawsuit era, 1978Photos, service record and current offer details →
Where do Burny and Tokai fit in?
Burny and Tokai are worth considering when searching for a Japanese alternative to Gibson. When comparing a specific offer, however, check the origin of the series, the neck construction, the pickups and the condition. The specification of one production year should not be applied to every instrument bearing the same name.
In this guide we look in detail at Greco and Yamaha guitars, which we can describe as specific examples from our collection. You will find the histories of Burny and Tokai in our knowledge base. The next good instrument from these brands is worth assessing by the same criteria: how it plays, what has been preserved and what has been professionally prepared.
An overhaul as part of a guitar’s value
Refretting is not just about fixing a failure. On a worn instrument, it restores useful fret-crown height and prepares the playing surface for further use. A new nut, when needed, requires slots precisely fitted to the strings. The final result depends on the entire job, not simply on installing new parts.
When buying a new guitar, it is also worth factoring in an inspection and a tailored setup. That is why we compare the cost of an instrument prepared for your own playing, not just the figure on the price tag. In our view, a Japanese single-cut after a good overhaul is an excellent choice for someone who wants to put their budget into the quality of the instrument and its preparation.
What to check during a trial
Play through both pickups, check the volume and tone controls’ response and assess comfort high up the neck. Inspect the headstock area and neck-to-body joint, and ask directly about previous repairs. With modifications, what matters is the quality of installation and whether you like the result.
The best purchase is a guitar you want to keep coming back to. Age, brand and specification help narrow the choice, but the final say should belong to your hands and ears. The Greco EG800 and both Yamaha Studio Lords are definitely worth placing alongside new instruments and comparing without prejudice.
Further reading
If you want to explore the subject further, we have listed supplementary material below. Manufacturers' specifications help you compare specific designs, while service guides explain the principles of setup and adjustment. The photos and links next to the examples lead to our instruments; you can check their current condition and the scope of preparation in their listings.
Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s — a modern point of reference ↗