Eko Ranger Guitar Serial Numbers

The most successful European guitar ever. At least 100,000 were made, including six- and twelve-string configurations, but the actual figure could be closer to 200,000.

Under various names and versions, it was a mainstay of the Eko range for over twenty years. It started its carrier with a glued-in neck in late 1964 under the name J-52, soon substituted by the J-54 with a bolt-on neck and complemented by the twelve-string version J-56.

I aiso have an Eko that matches your description black double scratchplates,gold hardware white bindings and M.O.P. Fret markers.i paid £120 for it in 1973 and it still plays beautifully!!Eko was an Italian made guitar the more common acoustic was the Ranger which I believe was made in various guises and finishes.as far as I am aware it. What year was my EKO ranger 6 serial No 722637 built. I have had it from new. Tim Perkin to Eko Guitars. June 19, 2016. What year was my EKO ranger 6.

Little modified versions were built for Vox under the names Country-Western and Folk Twelve in the years 1965 through 1968. Meanwhile, in early 1967, the J-54 and 56 were renamed Ranger VI and Ranger XII. Acoustic guitars only played a subordinate part in the Eko range in the 60’s. But following the end of shipments to Vox in 1968 and to LoDuca in 1971 as well as the growing Japanese competition in the middle-priced electric guitar market, Eko had to redeploy onto Europe and to focus on acoustics, so that the Ranger Series emerged as the very centre of the company’s business in the 70’s. There has been two main generations, the watershed year being about 1973.

They are visually distinguished at first glance by the stenciled rosette, less ornate after 1973. While the older ones have more vintage appeal, the post-1973 Rangers are technically improved instruments with their thinner and more consistent polyester finish and improved bracing. In short, all Rangers are equally desirable. They are famous for being heavy and built like tanks.

Action is easy to set up due to the bolt-on neck and the adjustable aluminium bridge saddle. Sertifikat sootvetstviya na krani sharovie bologoe. They are known as great players. They are not as loud as modern high end guitars with solid spruce top and a set-neck, but they sound amazingly good, even though the Rangers were all made of laminated woods (yes!).

Many people say that compared to an expensive Martin, Gibson, Guild or Taylor, an Eko Ranger delivers 90% of the sound for less than 20% of the price. It is still the best possible bargain on the vintage market. I requested this one custom made in 1968. It was delivered nov 1969. It came with a letter, said they liked my ideas, and would make a run of these guitars. I do not recall how many. They sent me mine free, all I paid was shipping.

The design ideas -the short neck block, the set neck and the trapeze, were my own. The original trapeze sadly is broken, so I replaced it. I also requested burly mahogany back and sides, which you can see, I got. I’ve never seen another like it, in person, but I have seen one for sale, here, a few years ago. Cameron MacLean.

Some pics of my new guitar. It is an EKO Ranger VI. It's stamped 1968, made in Italy and it also has a signature. (I think it might be handwritten) It plays and it looks awesome.

Has some cracks but they're only on the clear coat. The bolt on neck feels nice. There's also a height adjustable bridge. I guess these were fairly common back in the day in Europe.

Double bound body. The tuners are really cool. Never seen that type before. Anyway I really like mine. One of the nicest acoustics I've ever had. I might make this the one acoustic I keep for life.

*The first pic is the one that looks the closest to the actual color/shade. I certainly remember these guitars from the period. They were cheap - around £30 when the cheapest Martin was about £150 and a J-45 was £100. They certainly looked OK, and the necks were well-made and coiuld be set-up for a nice action.

But the 100% laminated bodies didn't exactly make them tone-monsters. As my son said a year or two back, after playing a much more expensive guitar than the Eko, ' After playing the Gibson [J50] and the Taylor [214E], that's like playing a cardboard box'. But, on balance,they were the right thing in the right place at the right time at the right price. So many British C&W groups featured a rhythm guitarist/lead singer with an (electrified) Eko. At least they stayed in tune! Jimbo wrote.But the 100% laminated bodies didn't exactly make them tone-monsters. My flatmate has a Martin dreadnought so it's been interesting comparing the two.

I can honestly say that EKO's can easily hold their own. Agreed, the laminate/laquer is OTT (although Tribi9's actually looks good for once) & they're probably the heaviest acoustics out there but they still have gorgeous tone. Deep, warm, resonant. Pretty bright & chimey on the high side too. The Martin is definitely more balanced & way, way lighter but I really dig the dark boominess of my EKO's.