Greco RS-90 (RS-900), is it a Gibson copy??

[Raban]

Hello, I'm new to this forum.
I hope that someone may can give me some information on the Greco RS-90 I own. I think I've also seen the same model with the model name RS-900(??). Information on these on non-japanese pages is quite rare. It dates from 1988 and is a Super Real Project. I haven't taken pics myself, I've added one that I found on the web to illustrate.
Anyway, what I would like to know is whether this model is a copy of a specific Gibson model or whether Greco just put together something they liked? I am no Gibson specialist (and no specialist at all) but it reminded me of the Gibson Byrdland when I looked at the pics that I found in the web...
Also, it would be interesting whether these guitars were only produced around 1988 (I have only found info on models produced during a period of 2-3 years). And also what kind of finish these guitars have...
Maybe someone knows!
Thank you!

[grecoburst]

Hi,
What is the serial number of your guitar thanks!
Super Real Project is 1980/81....? Clear Sound Project is straight after, for Mint Collection.
The spanish electric guitar of your looks a bit like a Gibson Super 400, with the pointed florentine cutaway and split block inlays and paf's...very nice

[Raban]

Hi & thanks for your answer,
well I'm sure about the age of the guitar, you can check it on the serial nr.. They obviously had some super real project stickers left in 1988..
You can also find a nice example on this site http://www.historicguitar.com/id11.html
Besides the finish my guitar differs in the headstock, it doesn't have a flower pot logo.
I added photos of my own guitar so you can see the headstock, the serial number and the super real sticker.
Thanks for the suggestion but this guitar is much thinner than the gibson super 400 as I could see on the pics of the gibsons on the web.
The byrdland is probably about the same depth....

[grecoburst]

Hi,
Okay so possibly a Gibson Thinline Copy, yes, it has similar style to Byrdland and ES-350, depending on which variant. Looking at 'Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years' by A.R Duchossoir
Nice catch by the way,

[megadrive]

Hello i have the same. it is a fantastic guitar

in fact it is a Replica of the Gibson ES137

[megadrive]

it is amazing. i just saw your serial number and i checked mine and my serial is K883701

they were made at the same period may be the same day !

[Raban]

Hello
yeah that's really funny!
But I think it can't be a copy of the ES137, as this model from gibson was only introduced in 2002..
Also it has different fretboard, headstock etc...
In the meantime I had a look at 2 or 3 books, and I didn't find anything that could be a template guitar for this model.
Of course there were many models that were in some way similar. I think Greco didn't intend to copy a certain model in this case.
Yes, she sounds good and mine has nice wood...

Raban

[grecoburst]

Hi,
My 1989 Greco catalogue lists it as RS-90

Body: Maple top and back
Neck: Maple 3 piece
Fret Board: Rosewood, 22F, 305R, 314 Scale
Pickups: The Groove X 2
Finish: Urethane
Color: WH (white), NT (Natural), BS (Black Sunburst)
90,000 yen original price

My 1990 catalogue list is at RS-900 same specs, except colour change GPW?, BS and NT

[brendel]

I admired it before, in a natural finish, at the bottom of this page: http://www.historicguitar.com/id11.html . No mentioning of it being a copy of any existing model (therefore different from the ones listed above it), and I don't think it is. Too many differences with a Byrdland I'd say. It sure looks like a very great guitar.

One was for sale on eBay recently, in a cream finish: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Greco-RS-90-Super-Real-Project-Series-1988-Archtop-MIJ_W0QQitemZ180450057502QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091229?IMSfp=TL091229163001r11417

[Alf]

I think seller is one of the guys who runs Historic Guitar web site. If so, it will have been immaculate as I've bought from him in the past and he has impeccable taste.

[Raban]

One was for sale on eBay recently, in a cream finish: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Greco-RS-90-Super ... 3001r11417

I'm surprised how high the final bid was for this...

[Udonitron]

Hey I own one of these RS-90's! They are rarely seen and it is an amazing guitar! Attention to detail is nuts. Mine is a Super Real Project and I think they were only made 88-89 as the RS-90.

I saw one of these sell for about $1500 US on eBay...I suppose the one for 850 or so quid is around $1800 Canadian...wow

[megadrive]

WOW !! your RS90 is immaculate.

mine is mint but a player without pickguard and hardware and pu's tarnished .
but i like it . it's look like a relic

[Udonitron]

Yeah all the metal hardware on mine is tarnished and faded as well...I prefer it The only way I would sell this guitar is if I could score a Greco Gretsch 6120.

[Sasquatch]

Hi!
First time poster. I love my RS-90.
I got it for a steal on eBay a couple years ago ($685).