USED Greco / VB-165 Sunburst 1988–1992 MOD [10]

A rare, German-made Greco VB-165 by Hofner has arrived!

We’ve received a Greco-branded “VB-165 S” manufactured by Hofner, which was part of the lineup from its 1988 catalog appearance until around 1992.
Since it’s made by Hofner, it’s “Made in Germany.”
At the time, Kanda Shokai, a musical instrument distributor, served as Hofner’s domestic importer in Japan.
Perhaps due to this strong business partnership, the VB-165—though bearing the Greco brand—was actually manufactured at Hofner’s factory in Germany. (The higher-end models included the German-made Hofner 500/1 series, among others. The lineup also included the Japanese-made VB-650.)
The body material, tuning pegs, strap buttons, pickups and mounting rings (Schaller), bridge, swing-type tailpiece (stamped “MADE IN WEST GERMANY”), complete control assembly, and all mounting screws are all built to the same specifications as Hefner’s violin basses from that era. (The pickguard and mounting bracket are missing.)

Cosmetic Condition and Modifications
・Darkroom blacklight inspection: It can be confirmed that the topcoat on the neck area is a re-lacquered layer. The colored layer is highly likely to be the original color. No damage to the wood, such as a broken headstock or neck cracks, was found; therefore, it is likely that the finish became unsightly due to chemical changes caused by exposure to a guitar hanger.The topcoat lacquer has been reapplied across the entire neck, starting from the neck joint. Since the serial number sticker was skillfully incorporated into the lacquer layer, this appears to be a professional repair job.
Additionally, the “Genuine Hofner Original, Made in Germany” decal on the back of the headstock has been lost due to the nature of the over-lacquering process (which involves sanding to ensure proper adhesion of the lacquer). However, this was a deliberate choice made to preserve the instrument’s high-quality condition, and we hope you will appreciate the significance of this particular guitar’s continued existence.
・The strap button at the body end is beginning to show slight signs of wear and deformation; however, as it is made of original Hofner plastic material from that era, we hope you will appreciate this as authentic aging.
・Metal Parts: The nickel-plated parts show signs of aging, such as tarnish and rust, but considering the instrument’s age, we believe it is in excellent condition with a charming patina.
・This instrument is over 30 years old. While it is by no means in like-new condition, it exudes a sense of cleanliness, and its luster and color are beautiful—we cannot help but find it a truly charming instrument.

Condition Grade: B+: Some minor scratches, but no issues for normal use

Serial Number: 261981
Year of Manufacture: Approximately 1988 to 1992
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Case: Gig case
Accessories: None
Weight: 2.18 kg
Truss Rod: Note: Tested up to 60 degrees to the left and right with no issues (some play remaining)
Fret Wear: No issues; in like-new condition
String Height (Low String Side): 3.0 mm at the 12th fret
String action (treble side): 2.5 mm at the 12th fret
Nut width: 40.6 mm
Neck thickness near the 1st fret: 21.3 mm
Neck thickness near the 12th fret: 24.3 mm
Scale: 762 mm (30")
RADIUS: 305 mm (12")
Strings at Setup: D'Addario EXL165 / .045-.105 set
Repairs and Maintenance: Cleaning, string replacement, truss rod adjustment, octave adjustment, action adjustment
Other: The entire neck has been relacquered.

* As this is a used item, there may be scratches, dents, and other imperfections that are not clearly visible in the photos or not listed here. Please be aware of this in advance.

* Any listed measurements for the truss rod, remaining fret life, string action, etc., were taken by our staff during setup and are subject to change due to environmental factors such as climate and humidity.
These measurements are intended as a reference at the time of purchase; we cannot guarantee that the measurements will be identical when the item arrives at your location.

* This is a one-of-a-kind item, and we are listing it simultaneously on multiple marketplaces, including our in-store display. We strive to promptly remove product listings once an item is sold, but updates may not always be in real time.
We sincerely apologize if the item happens to be sold out after you place your order, and we ask for your understanding.