1978 Carlo Greco Vintage 18" Blonde Archtop w/ Johnny Smith, Case
$7,499.99
$7,499.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1978 Carlo Greco archtop in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Born in Cosenza, Italy in 1928, Carlo Greco immigrated to the United States and settled in West Harrison, NY, less than two hours north of Guild Guitars HQ in Hoboken, NJ. Greco built a legacy for himself as an elite, master luthier during his 20 year run as chief designer at Guild: he was one the “Three Amigos” (along with Gilbert Diaz and Fred Geretsch) who helped usher in Guild’s golden era of production, with Greco singlehandedly overseeing the development and construction of instruments including the Guild Artist Award archtops. After leaving Guild in 1977, Greco continued building instruments under his own name, often using premium woods he’d preserved from his time in Hoboken.
Lightweight at 6lbs 12oz with a full 18” lower bout width and 3 ½” depth, tonewoods include a spruce top, flame maple back and rims, and a five-piece maple neck with rosewood stringers capped by a bound ebony fingerboard. This Carlo Greco has been outfitted with a floating Johnny Smith pickup, delivering both exquisite acoustic performance and a detailed, dynamic plugged-in sound. The guitar offers a natural woody midrange chop and breadth, with round, muscular lows and focused, sparkling trebles. This Carlo Greco Archtop benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with fresh 12-52 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Neck: Maple (5pc)
-Shape: Medium D, measuring .840” at 1st fret, .935” at 9th fret
-Fretboard: Bound ebony, pearl/abalone split block inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut width: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Grover Imperials
-Headstock: Rosewood veneer, pearl inlay, ebony/pearl truss rod cover
Body Specs:
-Body: Spruce, flame maple (quartersawn)
-Pickup: Johnny Smith mini humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Tone
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, bone saddle, rosewood pickguard with purfling, harp tailpiece
-Serialization: Foil label inside body
The gloss Blonde finish is framed by multi-ply ivoroid binding, with a bit of broad lacquer checking, light buckle wear on the back and a few additional minor marks from careful handling. The gloss finish on the neck profile is smooth and clean.
The original tweed hardshell case is included.
Lightweight at 6lbs 12oz with a full 18” lower bout width and 3 ½” depth, tonewoods include a spruce top, flame maple back and rims, and a five-piece maple neck with rosewood stringers capped by a bound ebony fingerboard. This Carlo Greco has been outfitted with a floating Johnny Smith pickup, delivering both exquisite acoustic performance and a detailed, dynamic plugged-in sound. The guitar offers a natural woody midrange chop and breadth, with round, muscular lows and focused, sparkling trebles. This Carlo Greco Archtop benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with fresh 12-52 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Neck: Maple (5pc)
-Shape: Medium D, measuring .840” at 1st fret, .935” at 9th fret
-Fretboard: Bound ebony, pearl/abalone split block inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut width: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Grover Imperials
-Headstock: Rosewood veneer, pearl inlay, ebony/pearl truss rod cover
Body Specs:
-Body: Spruce, flame maple (quartersawn)
-Pickup: Johnny Smith mini humbucker
-Controls: Volume, Tone
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, bone saddle, rosewood pickguard with purfling, harp tailpiece
-Serialization: Foil label inside body
The gloss Blonde finish is framed by multi-ply ivoroid binding, with a bit of broad lacquer checking, light buckle wear on the back and a few additional minor marks from careful handling. The gloss finish on the neck profile is smooth and clean.
The original tweed hardshell case is included.
