Up for sale, a 1976 Greco MD900 in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Exceedingly rare and easily among the more unique “lawsuit” era Japanese guitars, the MD900 is Greco’s take on the Gibson Moderne, the infamous (albeit lesser-known) sibling of the Explorer and Flying V models. The original Moderne was just a prototype, designed in 1958, never going into official production until later reissues. Most interesting of all, Gibson’s first reissue of the Moderne wasn’t produced until 1982, with this rare Greco beating Gibson to market by several years.

With identical construction and tonewoods as the Greco EX800 Explorer/Destroyer and by extension the Ibanez “Rocket Roll” Flying V, this Greco MD900 was also produced at the Fujigen factory, featuring a sen ash body, three-piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and a pair of Maxon-made U-2000 humbuckers. Wound firmly in the PAF-style range, the humbuckers feature Alnico V magnet construction. Articulate and warm, the U-2000s deliver treble growl, sweet sustain, and round notes with plenty of punch and attack, responding well to thick overdrive. This MD900 Moderne weighs 8lbs 3oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple (three-piece)
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .805” 1st fret, .915” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Headstock: “Open book” shape
-Tuners: Greco, keystone buttons
-Serialization: L76-prefix translates to December, 1976 production

Body Specs:

-Wood: Sen ash
-Pickups: Maxon U-2000 humbucker x2
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Harness: Untouched solder, full-size Japanese pots
-Hardware: Tune-o-matic bridge, stopbar
-Plastics: Gold bonnet knobs, large three-ply pickguard

The gloss Yellow Natural gloss approximates Gibson’s finish on the korina body of the Moderne prototype (in this case highlighting the grain of the sen ash), and cosmetic wear is limited to mild buckle worming central to the back, a couple small finish chips along the treble-side perimeter, and a few minor dings on the body as a whole. The smooth gloss on the neck profile is flawless.

The original black tolex hardshell case with form-fit interior is included.