Up for sale, a 1978 Greco EX800 Explorer in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. One of the more unique and rare "lawsuit era" instruments produced at the beginning of one of Japan's most storied periods of guitar production, the EX800 faithfully replicates Gibson's original Explorer design with superb build quality.

If your brain immediately goes to early Van Halen territory, we can hardly blame you, as this guitar features identical construction to the Ibanez Destroyer model 2459 used extensively on Van Halen I. The EX800 is the same instrument under a different name, with a more Gibson-esque headstock logo, made in the famed Fujigen factory alongside its Ibanez Destroyer cousin. Same factory, same guitar!

The EX800 is loaded with the original pair of Maxon-made U-2000 humbuckers (the Super 70 humbuckers in the Ibanez iteration are also Maxon-made). These pickups feature Alnico V magnets and are articulate and warm, with good top end growl, sustain, and punch, responding well to thick overdrive. Each pickup reads 7.75k ohms, firmly in the medium output PAF range, delivering an open, dynamic top end response. The solid ash body has prominent grain, highlighted by a transparent ambered Natural finish and paired with a three-piece maple neck and glued-in long tenon neck joint. The guitar has a particularly resonant and clear natural acoustic tone, with the midrange complexity and clear note attack inherent in ash. This EX800 weighs 8lbs 1oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple (three-piece, long tenon)
-Shape: Slender C, full shoulders, measuring .815” 1st fret, .940” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, virtually no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Greco-branded, Gotoh
-Serialization: E78-prefix translates to May, 1978 build date

Body Specs:

-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Maxon U-2000, six-digit ink stamps on baseplates date to 1978
-Harness: Untouched solder, full-size Japanese pots, February, 1978 component codes
-Hardware: Nashville-style bridge, stopbar (chrome-plated)
-Plastics: Three-ply pickguard, gold bonnet knobs

Cosmetic wear on the gloss Yellow Natural finish (referred to as "African Korina" in the Ibanez catalog) includes some chipping at the body points (a common occurrence on Explorer-style guitars), limited buckle worming central to the back, and a number of minor dings on the body as a whole. The neck profile retains its smooth matching gloss.

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