1980 Greco/Maxon PU-2 Pickup Set

Up for your consideration is a set of Maxon PU-2 pickups that came out of a 1980 Greco EGF850. The pickups come with the original covers on and with the original solder still intact. Also included is the original pickup height adjustment screws. Underneath, I imagine they are double cream as this is the only bobbin color that the PU-2's came in (as far as I know), and they are equipped with an A5 magnet. The pickups are in excellent condition and work as they should. There is some nice patina on the covers, the flash from the camera kind of hides it some, but it's there. Really, about what you would expect for pickups of this age. The DMM readings are in the pics above and right on point for the Maxon PU-2 pickups and their average readings at 8.29k and 8.52k. The leads have good length on them and are the exact length at which they left the factory installed in the guitar.

During the Super Real era for Greco, the PU-2's came on the high end guitars, priced just under the Dry Z (20,000 Yen) at 15,000 Yen. These are probably the second most sought after Maxon pickup, right behind the Dry Z, and are about as rare. Like the Dry Z, they only made these pickups for about two and half years. In 1982, Greco transitioned from the Super Real model to the Mint Collection model and Fujigen started making their own pickups that went into Greco's new model line. There were still a few leftover Maxon pickups that found their way into these early Mint Collection models, known as 'transition' models due to them having a mix of specs between a Super Real and a Mint Collection.

The date code on these pickups read 201128, meaning they were made on production line 2, on Nov. 28, 1980.

Serial numbers and dating pickups:

Greco and Ibanez Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) pickup serial number format consisted of 6 numbers from 1977 to 1982. 

- First number is the Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) Production line code (1, 2, 3, 5 & 8; 1, 2 & 3 are from the early years, 5 & 8 post 1980)

- Second number = Year (9 = 1979; 0 = 1980, ect.).

- Third and fourth number = Month (01 = Jan … 12 = Dec).

- Fifth and sixth number = Day of Month (01-31).

If you've been looking to restore a Greco Super Real that came equipped with the Maxon PU-2 pickups, or maybe your a fan of them, or have been wanting to try them, whatever the case may be, this is your chance to get a good set in excellent shape. These pickups don't show up too often, maybe a couple of times a year. But you never know when they will either slow down or disappear for good. Or like the Dry Z, the price will quickly sky rocket overnight above a grand and you'll wish you would have gotten them when you had the chance!

Believe me, I know! It happened to me once when looking to buy a set of Dry Z's. I had been watching a set that was up for sale for $600, I hesitated and they got sold. It wasn't until a year later when I finally saw another set, only this time they were selling for $1000. That was only a few years ago and I've never seen them cheaper since! Now, they're more than double that. Out of the blue, the internet starts raving about something, and there goes the prices. It literally happens overnight. I just caution, don't let this happen to you!

I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of my ability, so feel free to ask them.

Thanks for looking!