Greco Serial Number Lookup & Dating Guide
Verify authenticity, decode production year, and look up factory specifications for Greco guitars.
Where to Find the Serial Number on a Greco Guitar
From late 1975 through the 1990s, Greco stamped serial numbers in ink or impressed into the wood on the rear of the headstock between the tuning machines.
Early 1970–1975 lawsuit replicas featured 5-to-7 digit serial numbers stamped onto the metal neck attachment plate.
For 1982–1989 Mint Collection guitars without exterior serial numbers, inspect the baseplates of Maxon-made pickups (stamped with 5–6 digit codes) and control potentiometers.
Greco Serial Number Formats & Historical Dating Cheat-Sheet
| Production Era | Serial Format | Decoding Rule / Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| FujiGen Lawsuit & Super Real Era (1975–1982) | Letter + 6 digits (MYYXXXX) | Letter indicates production month (A=Jan, B=Feb... L=Dec). First two digits indicate year (75–82). Last four digits are the sequential production number. | A781205 -> January 1978, FujiGen Gakki, unit #1,205 |
| Mint Collection Era (1982–1989) | Single-digit year + 4-5 digits (Y XXXX) or No Serial | High-end Mint Collection models carried an inked 5-digit number where the first digit represents the year (e.g. 4=1984, 8=1988). Many standard models carry NO serial number and have the "Open O" logo. | 4 1234 -> 1984 Mint Collection EG-59 |
| Dyna Gakki Japanese Production (1995–Present) | Prefix A + 6 digits (AYYXXXX) | Manufactured by Dyna Gakki for domestic Japanese release. First two digits decode western production year. | A021234 -> 2002 Dyna Gakki build |
| Korean Export Production (1990s–2000s) | Prefix C, S, or K + 6-8 digits | Built under license by Cort (C) or Saehan (S) in South Korea for export distribution. | C0112345 -> 2001 Cor-Tek Korea |
| Early Pre-1975 Matsumoku Era (1971–1975) | 5-to-7 digits on neck plate | Early bolt-on replicas stamped on neck plate. Precise dating requires checking internal Maxon pickup stamps. | Stamping on neck plate or Maxon code 15822 (1975 Aug 22) |
Greco Hardware Verification & Anti-Counterfeit Audit
3-Step Physical Inspection & Anti-Counterfeit Checklist
Remove pickup mounting rings: authentic vintage Grecos feature Maxon or FujiGen stamped numbers. Look for "DRY 1982", "Double Trick", or "Screamin'" stamps on original baseplates.
Inspect fret ends: high-end FujiGen Greco models (EG-800+) feature authentic fret-edge binding over the fret nibs, exactly like 1950s vintage Gibsons.
Examine the "Greco" headstock pearl logo: 1975–1981 models feature a closed "o", while 1982–1989 Mint Collection models feature an open top loop (resembling an upside-down "u").
average collector auction premium for 1979–1981 EGF models featuring original DRY 1982 pickups.
of unmolested high-end FujiGen-built Greco models (EG-800 and above) retain original fret-edge nib binding.
value appreciation across North American and European secondary markets for late-70s lawsuit Grecos.
Greco Collector Valuation Focus: Super Real vs Mint Collection vs Early Lawsuit
Community Verdict: Greco Super Real instruments with confirmed original DRY 1982 pickups represent the holy grail of Japanese vintage collecting, routinely commanding $2,200 to $3,800+ at auction.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dating & Authenticating Greco
How do I date a Greco guitar using its serial number?
On 1975–1982 FujiGen-built Grecos, look at the letter and first two digits: the letter indicates the month (A=Jan, B=Feb ... L=Dec) and the two digits denote the year (e.g., A781205 was built in January 1978).
Why does my Greco Mint Collection guitar have no serial number?
Many standard Greco Mint Collection models produced between 1982 and 1989 had no serial number stamped on the headstock. They are identified by the "Open O" headstock logo and dated through pickup baseplate stamps or pot codes.
What are the most valuable vintage Greco guitars?
The most sought-after models are from the 1979–1981 Super Real series (specifically EGF-1000, EGF-1200, and EGF-1800) featuring solid flame maple tops, nitro lacquer finishes, and original Maxon-made DRY 1982 humbucking pickups.
Explore Greco Market Prices & Buying Advice
Knowing your guitar's build year is the first step in determining its resale value. Read our comprehensive 2026 buying guide and valuation tables to see current market trends for Greco.
Related Brand Serial Decoders & Dating Archives
Explore companion archives across our 20-brand guitar dating network.