Late 70's EKO RANGER VII Lefty very rare in this version, Natural excellent plus conditions. Comes with Orig. Polverini Hard Case. code LH06
Stunning conditions this Eko delivering a warmer, more natural tone, along with exceptional accuracy and increased musicality. 100% Original in museum conditions.
The Eko Ranger Series by Jack Marchal
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. 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. 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.
Jack Owens
Lucio Battisti
Edoardo Bennato
Jimmy Page
Led Zeppelin
Gerry Raffery (Stealers Wheel)
Mike Ruther