Eko Guitars

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Utte
Date: 01 May 07 - 12:38 PM

I bought my Ranger XII in Stockholm 1973, and it cost me ca. 250SEK. I resently opened the "softbox" (after 20years) and got a chock! The scratchplate was gone. Probebly it had loosend when I was young, and I didn´t care than. SHAME on me !
I have, a few day´s ago, ordered a new plate from Alan Exley, and I´m wery curius too see how it´s gona fit. The original plate was darkbrown, I think, but this new one is black.
I have never change´d the string´s, it´s original.
Now listen folks... after at least 20 year´s in the canvas, I DIDN´T HAVE TO TUNE IT ! I slam´d a cord, and it sounded fantastic.
Live well,EKO-lovers

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 11:34 AM

I Bought my EKO guitar in Venice in 1963 it cost me £4 import tax (33%)to get it thro customs at Renfrew Airport(Glasow) after flying back in a Lockheed Constellation. My son loaned it to a friend about 20 years ago and I havnt seen it since. Shame.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: pirandello
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 09:52 AM

A Rio Bravo 6 was my first 'proper' guitar back in 1968 closely followed by a Ranger IX. The Rio Bravo was sold to finance a Yamaha FG 180 which was £40.90 in 1970!

I recently got to play an old Eko and it sounded like shit; the adjustable bridges, bolt-on neck construction, huge neck block and thick finish did nothing to help the tone. I expect mine sounded like shit all those years ago but I was 16; what did I know!

Subject: ibanaz guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:17 PM

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,christos
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 03:47 AM

i just got an eko es-335 if this is the correct model ,similar to bb's lucille. really cool guitar it blew my head off as its been around fourty years and still sounds really smooth and jazzy.can anyone reckon the price range for this guitar?

thanks

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,ROB
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 02:30 PM

Hey I got a few Eko Guitars I love them and play them at folk clubs & Gigs I have two Eko VI Rangers (1967,1973) one Ranger XII(1973)
A Eko E83 all black,197?   a Rio grande, (197?)   
IM looking for a left handed rio bravo or El dorado ?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Scrump
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 11:06 AM

Hi Bernard - thanks for the advice, but the guitar is all there, and there are no missing parts. I even have a strut from the inside that came loose when it was dropped. I did think about a DIY attempt at repair, but I doubt whether I could do it successfully, and it's always low on the list of things to do...

There is just a crack where the top joins the side, at the bottom end (pulled away slightly by the string tension. I guess ideally I should have removed the strings when it happened, but the guitar was still (just) playable at that time and I couldn't afford another then, so I had to make do.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Bernard
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 09:28 AM

Scrump - Brandoni have all the bits necessary to replace any broken parts - the only difference is the bodies and necks they have are unfinished, so don't have the three foot thick layer of polyurethane on them. They will do a finish in any colour you like, within reason - a friend of mine recently bought a Ranger 12 finished entirely in black, and very nice it looks, too.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Bruce Baillie
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 08:27 AM

I knew a few people with Eko Guitars back in the seventies including an old friend who reckoned they were good for sledging on in snowy weather, very good instruments for the price though!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Scrump
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 05:41 AM

Just read this thread and it brings back plenty of memories - I still have an EKO 6-string I bought in 1969, and like others above, this was my first 'proper' guitar (I can't even remember the make of my previous cheapo one, long gone, bought for me by my parents as a teenager, on which I learnt to play - I sold it to help get back some of the money I paid for the EKO!). It looks exactly like a Ranger 6 (AFAICT), but predates the use of the 'Ranger' name (which appeared soone afterwards) and has a model number inside instead (it might be J-54 as mentioned by Sandy above, but I need to check - it's something like that). I got it from Ivor Mairants Music shop in Rathbone Place, London (still there when I last looked!) and cost around 30 quid, new (that was a lot of money to me then and it seemed like I was spending a fortune at the time!)

It has a lovely tone, which is what made me buy it in the first place, and is (or was - see below!) very playable with a low action, and has an adjustable truss rod (rare on guitars of that price range at the time, I think?), but as others have said, it's very heavy in construction, and is also not as loud as I would like for a guitar of its size.

I still have it, and occasionally pick it up (I keep it standing near my computer at home, and sometimes pick it up if I want to try something out and can't be bothered to fetch one of my other guitars).

Sadly, it got damaged years ago in a fracas (!) in spite of its robust construction, when it was dropped on a hard floor (not by me I hasten to add). This has resulted in a crack where the top joins the side of the body, at the bottom end. The tension of the strings has probably distorted the top slightly, so it is now difficult to tune properly (I can tune it only approximately). I probably should have done something about it at the time, but I've neglected to do anything about it. I guess I should take it to a luthier to get it fixed, but I suspect it might cost more to fix than it's worth :-(

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Bernard
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 08:49 PM

The place you want is Brandoni, in Wembley.

Roberto Brandoni bought the entire stock when the Eko factory shut down, and can now build you a brand new 30 year old guitar!!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Chris Weaver
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 01:38 PM

Hey Guys,

I've just sat and read all your posts from over the last few years and I feel in good company. I'm only 19, young to be reminiscing, but I've got my dads old Eko Rio Bravo twelve-string, unfortunately it has a badly cracked neck, and a hole (covered by a twenty pence) in the back of the body and various chips, any idea where I can this either restored, or find a new one

I love this guitar, after all its been through its still playable, and lovely to do so, and Im desperate to find a new one!

please email me at [e-mail]

Cheers guys

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Pistachio
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 05:26 PM

Nick (13 Jan 05) did you find a buyer for your Ranger VI ?
H.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 10:53 AM

I picked up a damaged Eko J-54 on e-bay for $68.00 . This is the same as a Ranger VI Electra. It was made in 1969 with the factory fingerboard pickup. I wanted a fixer upper that I could use as a campfire guitar and I spent a few hours over the past couple of weeks repairing it. Yesterday I put the strings on her and got the neck set. (easy with an Eko) I was very surprised at how well she sounded both plugged and unplugged. The heavy thick neck takes some getting used to but I find myself falling in love with her.
                            Sandy

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Ian Darby
Date: 22 May 05 - 07:37 PM

To Mitat

The Rio Grande was the posh model, my ranger six had a mucky brown headstock.

I electrified mine by fixing a £7.50 pickup across the soundhole with two drawing pins, I played it through a Vox AC30 amp.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 12 May 05 - 12:36 PM

Hi everyone,

Im looking for some kind of guidence here after my father died we were left with an eko guitar but i know nothing about it its verry old i do know that and it was sent to him from a cousin in Germany.But the sad thing is after he died it sat in our basment for over 20 years and in honor of him i would like to recondition it if it was possable but i would like to fugure out what kind it is first.
I would gladly take pictures of it and send to whom ever can help me figure this out. This is the only thing i have of my father. Please help thanks to all Dimitra.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars help
From: GUEST,gc
Date: 02 Feb 05 - 05:38 PM

ive got a eko rio grande 6 string apparently was made in the early 60's.
does anyone know what the difference is between this and the ranger? they look the same apart from mines got a normal shaped thick black pickguard where as ranger one looks cowboy ish
label on headstock is black and gold
really good condition and sounds great

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars (Reconditioning)
From:
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 07:14 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have a lovely well looked after and well played EKO Ranger 12. Got it when I was 15 years old - 1975. It has lived in a hard case and been looked after but suddenly last year I opened the case, admittedly after perhaps 2 - 3 years of not being used and was horrified to find all the laquer split and cracked -almost down to the main wood. I was so upset, it was friend to me in my 'folk club' teenage days.

Any sensible advice please as to whether it might be able to be reconditioned. I live in the North West, England and would not send it by post anywhere but only go to a recommended and proven business/professional adept in this work.

Hope you can help,

Have left my email address to help finding again.

Please prefix any message with 'guitar advice'

Thanks

Jan of Cheshire

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 07:22 AM

Hi
I have an old Eko 12 string, the label inside says it's a Rio Grande 12. Serial No 180478 Made in Recanat, Italy.
Nobody has been able to give me any info on this guitar.
One of the machine heads is missing and I would like to replace it, so if any one could help it would be apreciated.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Scorpex
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 01:50 AM

I have an EKO Model P8 given to me by older brother when he bought a flash Yamaha about 35 years ago....I learnt to play on it, and I still have it. Not really very good at all, but retained for sentimental reasons. Serial number is 102494. Located in Australia.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 04:09 PM

i have a 12 string semi-acoustic ranger, got it for 50 euro (70 dollars).
i was wondering, untill which date were these models manufactured?
i mean i cant believe mine is 30 years old...it cant be cos its in mint condition.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jan 05 - 03:09 PM

Hi All
I have had an EKO Rio Bravo 6 for quite some years that I inherited from my grandpa. Im starting to take up guitar, and trying to find more info on this guitar. Anyone know what the easiest way to figure out what year its from would be?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 10:35 PM

I do too! You could have the whole guitar if you want for free!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Ian Darby (UK)
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 09:43 PM

Just revisited this thread and my Eko Ranger Six is coming out of the loft tomorrow, together with my Eros 12 string.

Just to throw some more fuel on the fire, my first proper electric guitar was an Eko Les Paul. Its the only one I've ever seen and I wish I'd never flogged it. Has anyone else seen one of these?

I bought it when the only other Les Paul copies were made by Avon and Shaftesbury.

Happy days. I had a Coloursound Fuzz/Wah, a Fuzz Face, a Vox AC30 and a Cry Baby Wah Wah Pedal.

I now scour the likes of E bay to try and get hold of the stuff I used to own in the sixties & seventies, like Kansas acoustics, (I paid £6.00 for my first one,) Top Twenty Electrics (£10.00)and my first Rosetti electric semi acoustic bass, which had an action like a Longbow.

Then again there was always the Watkins Rapier, available with two, three or four pickops. IN RED!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 03:18 PM

I have got this Eko Ranger VI which I bought for a few hundred quid at and auction about 5 years ago. Good Condition (just a few small cracks in finish, 1 machine head was changed from original by the guy who owned it before me). Sounds amazing - thick warm sound

hard case included (bit battered - still very strong though)

anyone want to buy it - i got it valued for £520

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: songs2play
Date: 13 Jan 05 - 03:14 AM

I think there is a picture of it here

It may be worth sending the website guy an e-mail. As there are loads of pictures of Eko's there.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:53 PM

I just picked up this EKO Acoustic Mobello P8 Model #145925 at the local GoodWill. Does anyone have a clue what it's worth? If you got any info on this Mobello could you please email me.The Guitar is even signed.Well hope to hear from you soon. If your interested in buying it, my email is up above.      

          Thanks for your time
                [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 03:44 PM

Hey everyone!!!
I've just puchased an EKO Rio Bravo 6 here in Argentina (where I live) for $300. I know I have probably been mugged, but I tried almost 40 different guitars from Takamine (EG, EAN and EF series), Ibanez (PF and AW series), Taylor (100 series), Fenders, here and in South Africa for as much as $1400 and this was the best sounding of them all, by far. It has no electronics and it is in fabulous conditions, which makes me suspect of its year of manufacturing. It must be around the 80's. The only 3 differences I noted from what I could see in the catalog pictures in fetishguitars.com, is:
1)the saddle string pins are arranged in a semi-circle
2)the bridge itself is height-adjustable via two screws
3) the black truss rod cover has the words "reinforced neck" in chrome

I hope we can share our EKO pride and find someone to ask about serial numbers.

Take care!!!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Rick_in_OZ
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:09 AM

I was interested to see a couple of people had Eko Navaho guitars. I picked up a second Navaho 6 from a guitar shop when travelling through Wales around 1976. I brought it back to Australia with me. It has been my constant acoustic companion since buying it. I had to re-glue where the top started separating from the side after my kids banged it into something. Recently I noticed the action getting a bit high. I unbolted the neck, inserted a crushed match-stick to tilt the neck and bolted it back together. The action is now superb, and the old beast still sounds great in spite of its mistreatment.

Eko's are rare in Australia. I have never seen another Navaho (six or twelve), and only once have seen a Ranger 6. I have never seen and electric Eko guitar or bass here either.

Maybe I need to hang with some Italian Australians?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,jclmchambers
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 02:07 PM

I have an EKO 12 string (Ranger XII) Was given to me in 1968. Need to know about having repair work done. The piece on the body that holds the strings (meatle piece that wraps over the end of the body) broke

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Pistachio
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 07:21 AM

Ramsay - I have a Eko NAVAHO that my Dad bought me for £26 in 1974. I'm sorry I know no more about it. Mine is not over used and has suffered on it's travels but still sounds great to me and I'll be keeping it forever. I also have a Ranger 6 that is in Scotland for a holiday!
H.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 07:54 AM

I had an Eko cello bass when I was a lad.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,randomness
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:27 AM

Hello,
         please could you tell me how much the eko acoustic bass is worth. I own one and am looking to sell it and I'm wondering how much I should expect to get for it.
My email address is: [e-mail]

If you can help me I would be very appreciative.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Sweet Misery
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 09:46 AM

Interestin' to read all these Eko ramblin's... I still have my Ranger 6 that I bought new in the '70's... black headstock, concentric ring rosette... it has a superb action and never goes out of tune ( 10 gauge set, phosphor bronze D'Adario's )
I affectionately call her 'the old clunker' and she sits in the corner of the office and gets picked up a dozen times a day.
The Eko lacks volume in comparison to my big Yamaha acoustic and Tanglewood electro-acoustic... though I always wondered how good it would be if the quarter inch thick laquer was removed so the wood could breath!
I have a matching 12 string body and all the bits, but no neck... anybody got one they wanna sell me?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From:
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 04:08 PM

Hi,
i put my email address because theres a very strong chance i might not be able to find this site again after leaving it so if anyone wants to reply via email that would be helpful, thanks, anyway, i've found an EKO ranger 6 for sale in apparently perfect condition (on eBay?) for just under 150 pounds, any thougts?
overpriced? appreciate that when you all paid 35 pounds for it, 35 pounds was worth a lot more.
I've been looking for a guitar that has a heavy thick mellow folky sound sort of like nick drake, i'm not worried about the weight but it would be nice if it had that sound and relatively good playability. I was wondering if you could say whether this is a good guitar for what i'm after, and what are my chances of being able to find another excellent condition EKO ranger if I don't get this one,

thanks very much,
Luke

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:24 PM

Hi C-flat,
Thanks very much , i will have a look!

Matt (UK)

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 02:35 AM

Guest Matt, one or two of the earliest posts in this thread suggest places to look on both sides of the pond.

C-flat.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Brendy
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 11:51 PM

Hi KRex..

I have one of the Chetro Acoustic Bass prototypes (nylon strung). One of my mates has a 12 string Korrall.
That whole range are excellent instruments...

B.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 04:45 PM

Help!!
Does anyone know where i can get any replacement machineheads for my old Eko Ranger XII?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GRex
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 05:12 AM

I have an Eko Korrall, purchased second-hand(used)in 1981.
This 6 string acoustic, made in Recanati Italy, is sturdy but fairly light in weight, has a great sound and is still in excellent condition. Although the standard Eko logo is on the label inside the box, the logo on the head is a white circle with two horizontal bars cut in on th R.H. side forming a circular E. Has anyone come across the model?

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: 12string growler
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:20 PM

Brill!!!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 06:14 PM

My first mandolin was an EKO , with a Plastic bowl back !! OK to learn the basics on , but the neck was too thin for my stubby fingers . I always thought the the Rangers were good protest march guitars - stayed in tune even AFTER you had laid someone out with it !!

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: 12string growler
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:36 PM

I Always suspected that "Shaftsbury" and "Eros" guitars came out of the same factory as Eko's, the construction methods were too similar to be a coincidence.
EKO also did a nice Acoustic Bass guitar with an oval sound hole. The body is about the same size as a Ranger, but tapers to 135mm at the tailstock (trapeze type). The neck appears to have frets but is in fact fretless, the frets being inlaid flush. The tone is a bit thin, but it does make a good practice guitar.

Chris

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:22 AM

Anyone interested in buying an Eko should check Ebay - they're often listed, and you can nail one down for about £100. Good knockabout guitars, built to last (bolt-on necks) and easy to play (unlike many of their cheap-end rivals in the 60's) - they lack a bit of punch but sound great when amplified (especially the 12 strings). Whilst there's never been a better time to buy a new guitar (real quality at less than £300) Eko's still (in my view) represent good value.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: 12string growler
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:45 PM

I have a 1969 Ranger 6 (Wood head) bought new by my mum from a cigarette coupon catalogue. It's still a wonderful tool. I also had a 1973 Ranger 12 (Black Head) but sold that when the bridge started to pull off. I still use the Ranger 6 for practice, it lives on top of a cupboard and is easy to get at when I can't be bothered to get My Yam FG412B out of it's case. I still dream of the dizzy heights of a "Takamine" never mind a Martin or Taylor.

Chris

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: gigix
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 06:26 PM

Eko guitars were widespread here in Italy in 70s. They were decent guitars at an affordable price. I had a Rio Bravo 6, and my young sister bought a Rio Bravo 12 because a famous Italian songwriter used it. She still owns it and it sounds like the first day - that is, not bad at all.
Back then, when you entered the circles of committed guitarists, your Eko was promptly disdained; the minimum allowed was a Yamaha, but your supposed final aim was to put together enough money to buy a Martin. I soon realized, though, that I could travel under any weather with my Eko, play it in front of a campfire, and not worry about. So, even when I got other guitars, it still had its place in my room (and elsewhere), until one day in the 90s I decided to try how does it feel to be an idiot and borrowed it to a guy I never saw again. I hope he takes care of it, now, better than I did.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Sandy Knouse
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 10:42 PM

I have a Ranger 12 that I have owned since about '94. I found it in a pawn shop in Utah. Got it for $50 WITH a Polverini Bros. hard case. I , too, play it like a 6-string. I don't find it heavy, but, I am a bit larger than most I know. Inside you can see the original manufacturer's sticker from EKO. It has a stamp across one end that reads: 59-82# I am assuming the 82 is the year of manufacture. Don't know what the 59 is. I, currently, have a set of Dean Markley medium gauge strings on it. I used to keep Kaman 'Adamas' light gauge on it, but, am unable to find them anymore. It has great action and I always get comments on how narrow the neck is for a 12-string.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Ramsay mcKinnon
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 03:24 PM

Just bought a Eko NAVAHO acoustic.

Has anyone heard of this model ?

I have been into guitars for almost fifty years and this is the first one I have see.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ramsay.

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST,Getting Bigger John
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 03:04 PM

I have a Ranger 12 (bought for £50 from a guy from work) and would like to know a bit more about it. It has took a bit of a kicking, but a top guitar nontheless. There are no real giveaways for age, materials etc. Anybody here give me a bit more info? I know it's Italian!

Cheers

John

Subject: RE: Eko Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 04 - 09:08 PM

Im interested in your Eko Ranger 6 string guitar, Pls send me a picture of it and tell me how much are u selling it for.Im in New York, will u ship it for me. My email is [e-mail]