A PRS CE will easily set you back €2,200, while a PRS SE often falls just short of the mark. If only there were a Japanese alternative to PRS, one offering Japanese craftsmanship at a fraction of the US price.

For years, this was virtually unthinkable; PRS was founded in 1985, well after the famous Japanese “lawsuit” era. In my mind, a Japanese made, PRS inspired model didn’t exist, until I stumbled upon this one! Built in the early 2000s.

It’s a PRS style guitar from the brand “Greco,” featuring modern touches like a lightweight body (3.4 kg), a rock solid tremolo, an HH pickup configuration, and a stunning quilted maple top (though it is a veneer).

This Greco EW 88 was built in Japan at the Asahi factory, the very same facility that produces Music Man Axis guitars. They certainly know a thing or two about guitar building there.

This model bears the closest resemblance to the PRS CE, PRS’s bolt on model, though it uses three hex screws instead of four. It boasts some great specs, including:

• Wilkinson/Gotoh VS100 tremolo!
• Mahogany body & neck
• Zebra Super Screamin’ humbuckers (medium output)
• Kluson style tuners
• 24.75″ scale length, just like a Les Paul!
• Grey quilted maple veneer top
• 42mm nut width

The guitar is a joy to play; it handles bends beautifully and features a fast, highly playable neck, thanks in part to the shorter scale length. The medium output humbuckers are incredibly versatile and deliver a tight, defined sound. The tremolo offers excellent tuning stability, and the switch is finally placed in a logical spot!

Install a coil split (my own personal one already has this mod), and you’ve got a guitar that can do it all! Free of fret wear and expertly set up by our luthier. The guitar shows signs of use; this is a “player’s instrument.” There are some dings around the neck and on the top; I have tried to photograph them as clearly as possible.

If you are looking for a PRS style guitar, ideally Japanese made, at a fraction of the price, you’ve come to the right place!

You can listen to the guitar via the link below; while it isn’t a full fledged demo, it should give you an idea of what to expect:

We are a shop; you are welcome to try out the instrument by appointment. Shipping is always an option, as is a trade in (at trade in values).

All guitars come with a 3 month warranty covering hidden flaws or technical defects (excluding normal wear and tear).