The Greco EG800 Custom "Black Beauty" 3-Pickup (often cataloged as the EG800PB or EG800PF) is a highly sought-after "lawsuit era" guitar built at the legendary Fujigen factory in Japan during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Heavily inspired by Peter Frampton's iconic "Phenix" triple-pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom and Ace Frehley's stage setups, these instruments are renowned for replicating the build quality, aesthetics, and tonal profile of vintage American counterparts with incredible precision.
The Factory pickups are included with the guitar. It is currently loaded with Gold Covered Wolfetones. Neck is the Wolfetone Dr. Vintage Neck, Mid is Dr Vintage Bridge, and the Bridge is Marshallhead. We can even reinstall the originals if you like. There is a good deal of "buckle rash" on this guy as it appears to have seen some significant time onstage, but overall, it's amazing for that vibe and can't be beat for playability and tone.
Key Specifications & Features
Body & Construction: Built as a solid body with a classic single-cutaway aesthetic, the mid-to-late '70s models typically feature a solid mahogany back paired with a solid maple top (prior to some models shifting to white sycamore tops around 1978). This provides the traditional, unchambered sustain and mid-range warmth collectors seek, generally bringing the guitar's weight to a substantial 9.2 lbs.
Neck & Fingerboard: It features a comfortable, slender 1960s-style "C" profile maple neck. The fingerboard is typically high-grade ebony or bound dark rosewood adorned with classic pearloid block inlays, a 12" radius, a 24 ¾" scale length, and a 1 11/16" genuine bone nut.
The Lawsuit Aesthetics: The guitar replicates the high-end Gibson Les Paul Custom look perfectly, featuring multi-ply body and headstock binding, gold or chrome hardware (depending on the specific production year variant), a split-diamond headstock inlay, and an "open book" headstock silhouette that defines the era.
Electronics & Pickup Configuration
The standout feature of the EG800 Custom is its triple-humbucker array:
Maxon U-2000 Pickups: The guitar is factory-loaded with a trio of highly regarded Maxon U-2000 humbuckers utilizing Alnico V magnets. These pickups were reverse-engineered to mimic late-1950s Gibson "PAF" pickups. They deliver an articulate, touch-sensitive tone that handles thick overdrive beautifully while retaining top-end clarity.
Wiring Scheme: Traditional setups feature 2 Volume controls, 2 Tone controls, and a 3-way toggle switch. Depending on the exact wiring variant, the toggle typically controls the bridge, neck, or a combined middle-phase position that gives a uniquely full, rich, and slightly hollowed harmonic character perfect for classic rock leads.
The "Lawsuit" Legacy
Though Gibson never filed a formal lawsuit directly against Greco (targeting Ibanez's parent company, Hoshino, instead), the term is universally used to describe this Golden Era of Japanese craftsmanship. The EG800 stands out because its construction quality, thinner factory finishes, and flawless fretwork often rivaled—and sometimes outpaced—the American production models coming out of the late '70s.
