Eko Guitars

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,RANGERMAN
Date: 25 Oct 08 - 06:32 PM

IT SEEMS A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAVE HAD MORE MONEY THAN SENSE![WITH THE EXCEPTION OF IAN DARBY..A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART!]MY FIRST GUITAR WAS A ROSETTI "LUCKY SEVEN" ACOUSTIC-A WHITE PLYWOOD BOX WITH A BLACK SCRATCHPLATE,IN 1959..I WAS A YOUNG 15 YEAR OLD COALMINER,IN
THE NORTHUMBERLAND COALFIELD.IT COST £7-10shillings,[£7-50p],AND IT TOOK SIX MONTHS TO PAY FOR,AT A WEEKLY PAYMENT OF FIVE SHILLINGS A WEEK,WHICH WAS ALL OF MY POCKET MONEY![25 PENCE THESE DAYS!!]
I STRUGGLED WITH THE THICKEST NECK EVER FITTED TO A "GUITAR",AND FINALLY TAUGHT MYSELF TO PLAY BY LISTENING TO SLOWED-DOWN SHADOWS TRACKS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTALS.FIFTY YEARS LATER,NEARLY,I STILL HAVE THAT BOX,AND WOULDNT PART WITH IT,BUT MY OLD EKO RANGER 6,LOOKS,AND
SOUNDS GORGEOUS,BY COMPARISON!!
I BOUGHT A RANGER 12 STRING ABOUT 35 YEARS AGO,COULDNT GET MY FINGERS ROUND IT,COS I WAS SERIOUSLY OUT OF PRACTICE,AND SOLD IT..!
HAVE YOU EVER REGRETTED A DECISION IN YOUR LIFE?!!
NOW MY TWO SONS 35YRS,AND 40YRS OLD,ALSO HAVE EKO RANGERS AND RIO GRANDES.
WISH'D I HAD HAD A RANGER IN 1959!!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 08:37 AM

re. my post 04 Jun 08 - 02:53 AM

Sold the Rio Grande last night.

Chap (pensioner) travelled 150 miles for it so I let it go for £60.

I like to think it will be played & cared for :-)

Need the room otherwise it would not have gone!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 10:08 AM

"For info, the Eko Ranger 12 retailed for £35 in 1967 and the Yamaha FG180 cost £37.50 in 1971. That said, I upgraded to a Martin D18 in 1974 which cost me a massive £190."

Just shows how lucky we are now to be able to buy quality guitars for not much money - 35 quid in 1967!!! - equivalent to about 15 hundred quid today; can't imagine paying more than about 60 quid for an Eko today - even if new.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Ageing Guitarperson
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 05:30 PM

Just to add yet another post.   The Ranger 6 I have I bought new in 1977.   I play it almost daily and its still a good chunk of plywood.   It looked like it was suffering from fret wear so I carefully stoned the offending frets back to a good profile this year.   Someone told me that I could only stone frets 3 times... well.. thats another 62 years of fun... it'll take me till I'm 114 so I guess I'll have it refretted then!
I remember some of my student friends who had guitars being very dismissive of my (Then new) EKO but who's laughing now!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: s&r
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 05:34 PM

There was an Eko stand at music live this year

Stu

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Grandpa John
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 08:49 AM

Can anyone tell me about the EKO model 100 electric archtop.
I have seen one in a 'collectible' shop locally and it does not seem to check out with the online pics and catalogues.

1 This one is not a cutaway body although it is the usual 'thin' body with the usual million coats of laquer
2 The pickup is glued onto the body at the base of the neck
3 The volume and tone pots are attached under the scratchplate enclosed in a metal rectangular box type of construction with the turning nobs on the top of the scratchplate.
4 The jackplug inlet is into this metal box and is smaller than the standard guitar jackplug.

It does have the EKO sticker inside the body readable through the f hole and states it is a modello 100 with serial number 109508 and the 'EKO made in recantini' insignia on the body as per catalogue pics.

I'm thinking it might have been an acoustic model and someone has attached a separately bought pickup and tone/volume controls.

Anyone got any ideas as I am thinking of buying it.(After 48 years of playing bass guitar and 48 years of saying I will learn to play a six string someday, someday has arrived !!!)

I play an EKO model 995 semi acoustic violin bass and have done so since 1968 - bought a new Fender Precision in 1973 and rarely play it as it does not have the mellow woody sound or the tonal range of the EKO. Still it should help to boost my superannuation when I finally sell the Fender.

Gratefull for any information

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: rab
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 07:58 AM

what do u whant to know about eko guitars i have played my eko ranchero 6 string for over 40 years i also own eko rio grande 12 string in touch with current owners of eko

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,RickS
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 11:40 AM

Hmm, EKO Texan, folk-size model, my first guitar, bought from local music shop for 15 guineas (!) in 1965 - good to get started on, but only too happy to get shot of it a year later, in favour of a Levin Golieth (cost £28 s/h)..we are sooo lucky today...

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,FrankB
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 02:05 PM

My mother bought me my first guitar Eko Ranger V1 in 1973, which was an anormous guitar for a 10 year old.

It is almost in the same condition now as the date it was bought and takes pride of place in my living room.

I would not part with it for any amount of money.

Frank

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 03:34 PM

but have you played it?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,JG
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 07:40 AM

I have an Eko Modello P2 Guitar dated 1963, Does any one know anything about this model.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: tritoneman
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 09:58 AM

I bought an Eko Ranger in 1967. Although it didn't have much volume, it's voice was very solid but sweet. It was amazingly playable too. I wish I still had it. I sold it in 1969 after buying a rather elderly Gibson J200 - not the most fashionable of guitars in a Martin or Martin clone dominated world!! I still have the battered blonde J200 and love it !

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 03:38 PM

In 1969 I bought my first Eko Ranger 12 - My first 12-string! Two years later I was off to sea so gave it to my brother - Eight years ago I got it back as it had been in his attic for 12 years with only 5 strings on it - I cleaned it and strung it and..... it played! Just yesterday I took it to Vince Hockey (Martin Repair Genius) to have it some TLC as I'm going to 'gig' it again!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Brian May
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 04:00 PM

My overriding memory of the EKO 12 string I also bought in 1969 was its WEIGHT - it was built like a brick shithouse.

I use to ride my 650cc Triumph Thunderbird with it strapped over my shoulder on the way to gigs. God I was cool . . . (legend in my own lunchtime).

It had a lovely action and I seem to remember the edges of the frets and fingerboard were really smooth and comfortable.

Have fun.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Tedbelly
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 06:03 PM

Got my first playable guitar in around 1965, an Eko Ranger 6. It cost new about £28 including gig bag. I fitted a bar pick-up of dubious quality and went gigging. I've still got the guitar and the only faults are worn out frets and a worn fingerboard, a testimony to it's sturdy construction. I recall that the guitar had a low action without rattles but was lacking in tone and volume.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,EKOdave
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 07:23 PM

Wow! what a thread, it's into years. Thought I'd add my two pennyworth anyway. Bought my Eko Ranger 12 in 1970 or there abouts. I remember seeing it in a dusty old music shop window in the down at heel end of town...(Camberley in Surrey)and started lusting over it immediately. I eventually begged my dear old mum to loan me the £23 to buy it, bless her. I was in ecstasy, that guitar hardly ever left my side and has been with me "somewhere" to this day...

I've had to repair her though. After getting stored in all the wrong places and putting up with years of damp, heat, cold, moves and just about anything else that could be thrown at it the poor old guitar needed some major TLC. There was a major split in the laminated neck, two inner stays had come away inside the guitar, the bridge was lifting from the body and some of the machine heads were seized/rusted etc etc. The usual lacquer cracks are there but they are just cosmetic. Anyway, I repaired the guitar myself and am playing her today. Put a new set of Martin medium strings on and de-tuned to D to relieve the neck a little and WOW...she rings like a bell, absolutely beautiful... I'm in love with her all over again.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 06:11 AM

My local paper, Ascot News, is advertising an "Original" Eko 12-string in the small adds. Asking £200.

RtS

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:00 PM

I just saw a Joseph Spence CD at the store today and he was holding an Eko 6 sting on the back cover.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:11 PM

".. "Original" Eko 12-string in the small adds. Asking £200."

there'll always be chancers out there fleecing gullible 'collectors'..

only got to look at all the well overpriced ebay listings
for 'rare vintage valuable' aka 'cheap nasty Woolworths & Freemans Catalogue' guitars
from the early 70's..

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Smattering100
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 06:50 PM

I have an EKO Ranger 6 I bought about 1970-72 from a mail order catalogue in England. It cost me about a weeks wages. It has followed me all over the world and it now resides in northern Canada. It has many cracks due to drying out in cold weather but it still sounds amazing. It has cracks each side of the bridge and the pressure of the strings has twisted the bridge so I have the bridge on its lowest setting and its still playable. I have been looking for a replacement that sounds as goo for less than $750 US but its very difficult because it has the deepest richest sound I have ever heard on a reasonably priced acoustic, apart from a Art and Lutherie with a cedar top. My old EKO needs to be repaired but I just can't stand the thought of having anyone cut it to pieces.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 07:32 PM

Smattering,
The Eko inverted Gibson style bridge can be easily repaired by an inexpensive and easily installed device called a Bridge Doctor. I put one in mine.
Bridge Doctor

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Tally Ho Man
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 05:41 AM

I still have my Ranger 6 that I bought from a friend for £50 in 1981.
It's still in great nick and sounds lovely. Doubt if I'll ever sell it!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Ruben from Israel.
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:22 AM

Hi all,
i'm very surprised to see this thread from 2002!
Anyways, I just won bidding on an EKO Ranger 12 with trapeze tailpeice.
(I'll post pictures soon :) )
Cost me 267 dollars US.
I've chosen this particular make for i've heard that they're pretty heavy in weight and that they're built like tanks.
Plus they're manufactured in Italy and not from korea or chinatown :)
It's my first 12 string. I usually keep my stuff for a long time. Let's hope this one lasts!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Tally Ho Man
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 02:14 PM

I've had my 6 strings Ranger for 35 years or so. You're right, they are built like tanks but sound great!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 03:24 PM

Here's a photo I found of one butt-ugly guitar owned by the masterful David Lindley. I can only hope that it sounds better than it looks.


David Lindley's electric Eko

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Tally Ho Man
Date: 27 Mar 12 - 05:03 AM

Not the prettiest thing I've ever seen! Still, it is "retro"!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,EKO model P8 - s/n 176361
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 02:56 PM

I just picked up a EKO P8 and it needs a replacement bridge. I am in Western Canada and not in a hurry. It is in great shape.
S/N 176361.
Any idea where I can get the original bridge?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,dave in switzerland
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 06:53 PM

a very entertaining read, like all the postings on this mad website.
i chust thought i'd throw in my tuppence ha'penny as well since obscure reminiscing is the order of the day............

i bought an EROS 6 string new in plymouth ,uk about 1970/71. as far as i know these were made by eko. paid i think £33 for it with a few plectrums, nice woven strap (worth a fortune today )and a red tartan soft bag for it.

it survived lots of hitch hiking from the sw to back home glasgow and all sorts of places in the uk and even falling off the back of a motorbike failed to make much impression on it, built like tanks they were indeed.

i eventually sold it to some fellow hotel dishwasher at the end of the season a year or 3 later for £20 or thereabouts, never saw him again.
next guitar i had was a small bodied eko rancho, and my then girfriend had a MELODY 6 string, also italian, probably eko made.

fast forward to the present and i have collected over the years ( among many other guitars) an eko ranger 6 string which my daughter has had for years, a 12 string ranger with 6 strings on it and missing half the machine heads, a modello 100 cutaway small archtop acoustic , an eko cobra strat copie plus one or 2 other real cheapo eko acoustics.

i came across a pretty nice rio bravo a couple years ago but didn't buy it, they didn't accept my half what they were asking offer.........

my email in case any old mates read this: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 17 - 10:18 AM

Is the Eko p2 a nylon or steel?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Terry webb 62
Date: 26 Apr 18 - 10:50 PM

Bought my first guitar in Guam an echo for my 22nd birthday kept it all these years pristine condition now my granddaughter plays it and loves it great guitar and in response to the hole sniffer mine still smells like that too