I have a Ranger 12 with the pickup. I bought it used in 1980 for $100. I put new tuners on in around 1987, and can keep it in "E" tuning with little trouble. Yes it is a heavy guitar, but I love my EKO and don't intend to part with it. The lacquer has its "battle scars" as I call them, but it still plays well, and sounds great.