Eko Guitars

Subject: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Ian Darby
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 09:56 PM

The first decent guitar I got was an Eko Ranger Six. (I've had it about 33 years.)

Its the only one I've managed to hold on to and would never flog no matter how skint I was.

I've refretted it myself about four times, but the fingerboard is now totally beyond help.

Does anyone please know where I can buy a spare neck until I can afford to have the current one restored by somebody who, unlike me, knows what they're doing?

I know I'm going to get some stick off those of you who play Martin, Gibson, Louden etc, and you'd be right, but this thing is a real sweetheart, and has great sentimental value.

I'm probably opening up a bit too much here, but I swear it smells the same now as the day I bought it. You know, when you sniff the soundhole and get that heady mix of wood and glue....

I'm just glad I didn't start a thread on 'instrument sniffing'.

Thanks, Ian.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 10:33 PM

One place to ask is Subway Guitars in Berkeley California. They were one of the people who bought out the EKO distributors warehouse about 15 years ago. They sell a fair number of EKO remanufactured guitars. Subway Guitars It's best to phone them if you are in North America, Fatdog doesn't really like e-mail.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 11:15 PM

Ian, when I was a college student in London in fall of 1975, I decided to buy a guitar in Britain, rather than take the one I had with me. The one I bought was an Eko Ranger 6. I, also, had no complaints about it. Money was tight (I think I paid less than 50 pounds for it), so I practiced three hours a day. I recall going to folk clubs and watching guitar players and going back to my flat and practicing what I saw. I sold the guitar when I flew back to Chicago (had no way to carry it with me, with all the other luggage and school stuff). All in all I found it quite a responsive guitar.

--Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: mooman
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 03:41 AM

Ah yes I remember these fondly. My first "proper acoustic" was also an Eko Ranger 6 which I bought from my odd job money when I was about 12 or 13. It served me very well for a good 10 years until I could afford to buy my first "good" guitar. The bolt on neck should render it possible to find a replacement pending repair of the existing one.

I'm not sure where you are Ian. The Berkeley link above could be useful but, if you're in Europe, I could make some enquiries this side of the pond.

I play Lakewood and Lowden/Flambeau now but wouldn't dream of knocking the affordable and reliable Eko which really got me into blues and folk music at an early age.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 04:43 AM

Me too -- first steel string guitar, should never have let it go, etc. But.... a couple of years ago I was looking to buy a travel guitar to take on holidays abroad. I'd tried a Backpacker, but found the shape difficult to hold and not enough body to give it any real acoustic presence. I was in Milton Keynes outdoor market and checked out a stall that sells instruments, where I found a wierd hybrid. An Eko 6-string neck on a round-backed mandolin body. Perfect! Small enough to go in the overhead locker on a plane, but with enough space inside the body to give it a decent acoustic tone --- and it has a pick up. It also cost about half as much as the Martin. Anyway, the guy on the stall told me that he knew the guy who made it, from a load of old Eko stock that he bought when they closed down. Mine was apparently the third one he'd made and the first with electrics. I'll try to get in to the market this week and see if I can get a contact number for the guy with the Eko stock -- he might just have some necks left!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 05:03 AM

But they are remarkably heavy creatures to lug about.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: tooligan
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 06:14 AM

I started with an Eko in 1974. It cost me £32 and I bought it from Bruce Millars in George Street, Aberdeen. I sold it about ten years later. Then I was in Sound Control in Kirkcaldy about 5 years ago and saw a second hand Eko ranger 6 for sale. I had my son with me and I was telling him about my one. My one, I said, had a varnish crack just below the scratch board. He pointed out that the one on show also had a crack. Yep it was mine. A happy end to the story? Naw, I never bought it. I play an Ovation Elite now and wouldn't part with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 06:59 AM

Likewise one of my first serious guitars was an EKO Ranger 12, which I used as a six string. It had a fabulous neck and action, which, after playing a £5 mongrel "spanish" thing, helped me improve a lot. I bought it back in about 1971 off my old mate John Norton, who taught me to play fingerstyle, and sold it to a guy with long blonde hair who use it as a 12-string to play David Bowie stuff. And, yes, it was heavy!

Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Kernow John
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 07:18 AM

I wonder how many of these are still around. I think mine was the model before the Ranger.
Sadly it folded in half after many years of ill treatment busking on the streets etc. But my better half still has hers and I swear it's got the best action of any guitar I've played, something to do with that extra fret at the nut?
KJ

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Wesley S
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 11:21 AM

I wouldn't be suprised if one of my arms is longer than the other one because of how heavy my Eko 12 string was. I bought mine in Florida around 1967 or 68. It was a great guitar to get started with. Good luck with your search.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 11:48 AM

I've only recently rediscovered my very first new guitar. I bought an EKO Ranger6 for £35 in 1972 after getting my first booking and gigged with it for a number of years until I traded up. After a chance meeting with an old pal it came to light that he was in possession of it and was prepared to let me have it back. It plays and feels exactly as it did all those years ago. The bracing and steel neck rod makes them virtually indestructable although the tone suffers as a result and it is a seriously heavy guitar. Sorry I can't help re; the neck replacement but I'm right with you on the sentiment.I certainly won't let it go a second time!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 02:12 PM

If you are in the UK-you could try;

BRANDONI GUITARS. tel:[phone]. Unit 3.6. Wembly commercial centre. East Lane. Wembley. Middlesex. They specialise in old guitar parts, customs and kits etc.

I have 2 12 strings. One used as a six. Heavy, yes, but the necks stay true even after many years of ill use. I found they have very hard frets-so last a long time. My Oldest is a 1968, my other about 1973 (they changed the necks and headstock about then) I prefer the oldest.

There is one for sale in the music room for £100.00! (A later model)

Richard-did you buy yours in Peckham or Brixton? Got mine in Brixton round the corner from the town hall.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 02:30 PM

www.brandoniguitars.co.uk Should be a clicky thing, but I'm thick!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 05:31 PM

Try this

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 05:36 PM

Boy! you've no idea how good that feels! I've actually made my first real clicky thing! There's no stopping me now!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: mooman
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 05:39 PM

Eric,

I travelled all the way to Tooting (Tooting Music Centre) for mine (my mum used to work in Tooting so I got to know the shop!

Richard

P.S. For our transatlantic colleagues, indeed there are hamlets with names like Peckham, Dorking and Tooting in the UK!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 05:59 PM

Moonman, you make us sound like we're living in an Ealing comedy film! By the way, you didn't mention Chipping- Sodbury!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: mooman
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 08:02 PM

I didn't mention Middle Wallop either!

Whoops! (8>(

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Ian Darby
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 08:40 PM

Thanks a lot, it's not just me then!

Rolfboy6, Thanks for the link but I live in England. I'll have a look at the site anyway, and if I can't get sorted out over here I'll get in touch with them.

Also, may I take this opportunity to thank you American types for the 'Down From The Mountain' video. Be proud, be very proud...

Eric the Viking; thank you, I'd seen Brandoni Guitars advertised in guitar mags but had forgotten all about it.

C-Flat; They ARE virtually indestuctible, I dropped mine down the stairs, the body suffered a few cracks and part of the back came away from the sides.

I glued all the undone parts with evo stick, and in the absence of any G Clamps or woodworking stuff to hold everything together, I put a washing machine on the poor thing overnight. Job done. May God forgive me.

Also, when going through our Pub Rock phase I converted the unfortunate instrument to a 'Semi Electric' by fastening a 3 quid electric pickup across the soundhole with two drawing pins. The pickup used to drop into the guitar two or three times over the course of the gig, much to the amusement of the audience. (And Swan.)

Eric the V & Cb, I'm going to try out the blue clicky thing in a minute, Thanks again.

Phil Cooper, Thanks Pal, I improved the sound of mine by nicking one of my Mam's knives out of the cutlery draw, cutting off the handle, and fashioning it into a new bridge piece, it produced a much brighter sound.

mooman; I think I'm on the same side of the pond as you, thanks for your kind offers of assistance, but with any luck I should be able to sort things things out by clicking on the 'Brandoni Guitars' thingy. Will be in touch if I don't.

Bullfrog Jones; An Eko neck on a Mandolin body with a pickup? You have built up a little picture in my mind which will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thanks.(I think.)

Actually, if we could get these manufactured with a Floyd Rose Whammy Bar we could probably sell them to the 'Poodle Rock' chappies. I bet Nigel Tuffnel (at least) would buy one.

Mc Grath: They are heavy, but not as heavy as my brother.

Tooligan; You probably did right....

Pete J; I had an Eko 12 string which I flogged to pay my car tax. It sounded great, but every time I put it on the headstock used to point downwards with such enthusiasm that I was convinced I'd struck oil or water. I never had the bottle to dowse for Ley Lines with the thing.

Kernow John; How many frets did yours have? I stuck an extra couple on mine just for the hell of it.

I would also like to say that if you live/make your living in Cornwall I hate you and everything you stand for, you lucky stiff. Do you ever get to the sessions at the 'Welly' in Boscastle, or the 'Gurnards Head' a bit further down?

Wesley S; I think the same guy designed the Gibson SG (especially the Double neck.)

C-Flat; I don't know how to tell you this, but if you're living in this sceptic isle, you ARE living in an Ealing comedy.

Thanks for all of your replies to this thread.

Ian.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 08:57 PM

Don't know the models but I used to know someone with an Eko 12 string. I seem to remember it being a bit heavy in weight but it played well and had a great sound. Wouldn't have minded owning it...

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: harpmaker
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 10:07 PM

My thanks go to; 1. Erick the viking,-- because I spilt me drink when It read-- "Should be a clicky thing, but I'm thick!"----- And; 2.-C Flat, for This,-- "Boy! you've no idea how good that feels! I've actually made my first real clicky thing! There's no stopping me now!"--Very humerous, - John.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: YOR
Date: 29 Apr 02 - 10:16 PM

Stewart MacDonald is and excellent supply house for anything guitar and instrument related. Parts, kits, pieces, tools, they have everything. www.stewmac.com I think!

I'm with you Ian, I've been woodworking for about 30 years and would not want to try a job like that. I don't think the nerves could take it.

Frank Ford's www.frets.com is also a great site.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Kernow John
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:18 AM

Hate to say this Ian but yes downshifted to Cornwall work 2 days a week with kids and computers.
Been to the Gurnards several times, played a few Friday night gigs there and meet up with Harry Safari on a regular basis.
Have yet to get to the Welli but know Dave Leggat a concertina player from the session there.
Regards
KJ

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Melbert
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:35 AM

I still have my first guitar...an EKO Ranger 12 string which I got from a mail order catalogue in 1966 for the princely sum of £34 (including a hard case). The varnish is badly cracked on the face now, but I still play it occasionally. It's been a faithful old friend and I'd never think of selling. I'd consider having it refinished, though I guess the cost would be prohibitive.....

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:56 AM

I too still have my EKO Ranger 6, 30 years on. Bought
it from Bedford Musical Industries (Mr Music)but can't
remember how much I paid for it.
I bashed it up pretty badly a few years ago and bought
a Seagull to replace it. But I will never let it go
too many good memories.
It always stays in tune, has an action to die for and
a neck that has only ever been adjusted once.

Cheers Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:58 AM

I too still have my EKO Ranger 6, 30 years on. Bought
it from Bedford Musical Industries (Mr Music)but can't
remember how much I paid for it.
I bashed it up pretty badly a few years ago and bought
a Seagull to replace it. But I will never let it go
too many good memories.
It always stays in tune, has an action to die for and
a neck that has only ever been adjusted once.

Cheers Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GMT
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:01 AM

Sorry the guest was me.
Double post and no cookie (just not my day).
Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: songs2play
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:11 AM

First decent guitar I bought at 16 years old (that's 33 years ago now) was the Eko Ranger 6, and I've still got it, and it's going strong. It was definitely built to last, as it took some hammer in the early years. bought it in a music shop in Cardiff, but can't remember the name. It's funny how your memory goes as you get older. I wonder when they stopped making them - if they ever did ?

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:30 AM

Hey Gary, if you bought yours from Mr. Music, was Sid Worth there at that time. Following his departure from the Music Centre, he now runs Live Sounds in Harpur Street.

You still in the area? (I'm in Bromham).

Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Grab
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 12:03 PM

A friend in Cambridge has just acquired one. He's refretted it and done a good job of it - the action and intonation are really nice. Unfortunately he's got serious hand/wrist problems following surgery so he can only use ultra-light strings on it, which is a shame as it'd sound nicer with heavier strings. Still a decent guitar though, although the neck attachment makes it look less than attractive inside though.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 02:02 PM

They were made by Rossetti-I believe, stopped in the mid 70's, couldn't compete with the cheaper guitars I think, and also they were stopped as imports. I believe you could still get them in Europe-a bit like Levin's, still made, but not seen in the UK. Made from good woods though.And true-I'd never get rid of mine either.

Harpmaker-you are very welcome, no offence taken, pleased someone sees the funny side of me being less bright than a Mazda sometimes!

cheers all.

Maybe there should be an Eko gathering?

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: harpmaker
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:32 PM

Cheers Eric, Iam shure your very bright for making such a comment! Still laughing!-John.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 06:39 PM

Ian, if you are near Toronto, I have an Eko with a good neck and a body that is in rough shape

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: Ian Darby
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:34 PM

Thanks Paul,

Unfortunately I'm in the UK.

Ian.

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: harpmaker
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 07:55 PM

could'nt you guy's post?

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: 53
Date: 30 Apr 02 - 09:43 PM

Who makes Eko and what does one look like?

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: songs2play
Date: 01 May 02 - 02:49 AM

There's a nice picture on following web page. http://users.utu.fi/siolna/eko.html

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: GMT
Date: 02 May 02 - 04:12 AM

Pete, hi

I can't remember the chaps name, he had curly hair !

He still owned the building when Mr Fish was based
there.

My EKO has given me many years of pleasure even if I
still only have one picking pattern and use cheat
sheets after all this time. I'm only playing to myself
anyway.

Yes I live in Bedford (but I don't brag about it ;).
Cheers Gary (I bet the line breaks don't work)

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 04 May 02 - 09:28 AM

I was interested to discover that EKO were originally accordian manufacturers based in Recanati,Italy, and shifted production to electric guitars with the waning popularity of squeezeboxes. Their first guitars, built in 1961, were similar to Fenders Jazzmaster but were adorned with squeeze-box sparkly moulded plastic and multi-coloured pearl. They also had lots of accordian-style knobs and switches! Presumably the Ranger accoustics followed later!

Subject: RE: BS: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:44 AM

Where's the bloody PIK's - cheapskate EKO owners ?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 11:48 AM

Well here's a nice picture just for you Mick, submitted at great personal expense, I might add!!
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 12:11 PM

I had an EKO Ranger 6 many years ago, but beside the weight (although probably also due to it) I found that I could never get much volume of sound out of it. That great big block of wood where the neck bolts on (just like a solid electric guitar) seemed to take away a lot of the resonance. Isn't the front table plywood - it definitely had a very hard varnish on it. I found it an easy box to play, but unamplified it just wasn't up to acompanying my (not very quiet) voice in pubs etc.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,baillie
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 12:36 PM

I used to play in a band with a guy who had an old EKO and he reckoned he'd used it as a sledge one snowy day! they certainly were well made and good value for money!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 12:47 PM

That's right Dave, plywood top and enough internal bracing to support a motorway fly-over doesn't do a lot for the sound projection but you can beat the crap out of them for thirty years and it will sound and play the same as the day it was made!
I always used mine with a clip on pick-up but the quality of Seventies technology left a lot to be desired and I found I had to tape over a couple of the pick-ups that were too sensitive and add a few extra lashings of tape to keep the thing in place!
It's testament to the manufacturers that so many of them are still in regular use.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 01:07 PM

Great pic's. But mine have a white EKO badge with black lettering One of mine is light stained as in the pic's but the other is a really dark (Is it sunburst?)fading to lighter colour in the centre. My 12 string has two transducers underneath the bridge. Still sounds good!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: weerover
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 01:40 PM

I'm more singer than musician, but my first was an EKO6 and experience was similar to previous posts: good action but low in volume projection. Didn't know about the detachable neck - my playing partner dropped it on stage and the neck came away from the body, maybe it wasn't as wrecked as we thought (never mind, he bought a Yamaha FG180 as a replacement and I still have it 25 years on). I now also have an EKO bouzouki, all black with mother-of-pearl inlay, can't do anything flash with it but it's a beautiful piece of work.

wr

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Lanfranc
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:53 PM

Apart from the log holding the neck and body together, the other reason for the weight of Ekos is that some of them (mine at least) had a neck made of what appeared to be solid ebony! I remember having to hold the neck of my Ranger 12 at all times, lest the weight of it cause it to rotate on the strap and do me a mortal injury with the peghead. It could have been worse, they could have used lignum vitae!

I traded mine in for a Gibson B45-12 in the late 60s - a very different animal, but nowhere near as robust.

Thanks for the memories!

Alan

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: fiddler
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 03:01 PM

yer a pile of old softies even if I do know aht you mean - I sueed to play a 12 sting owned by a pal of mine - magic.

A
XX

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 09:13 PM

A gal that plays with the Praise Team in our parish plays an old Eko 12 string. I keep trying to talk her out of it, but it was the first one she ever got and she won't part with it. I guess I will have to mug her for it..............LOL.

Mick

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: songs2play
Date: 28 Mar 03 - 02:44 AM

My Eko is 34 years old on May 27th and she doesn't look a day older than when I got her, apart from a couple of chips and scratches around the edges.

Piccy of her with her friend the Resonator - both about the same weight.