EKO Jazz

I believe that this bass is the same one as this previous review. It's an Italian made Eko, likely from the '70s. It's virtually the same size and scale as Fender Jazz, the styling exception being that the two piece wood (alder, possibly) body is stained a dark brown color and clear gloss poly'd. The bridge is a J clone as is the neck which appears to be made in 3 pieces, the middle piece being a dark color to match the body, giving it a "skunk stripe" effect through the headstock. The fingerboard is rosewood and there's a massive capstan-like truss rod adjusting knob in a body recess at the base of the neck. The tuners are a mixed bag and non-original: 3 Schaller type (2 left, 1 right) on the E, D, and G with an old elephant ear type Fender tuner on the A. The headstock once had a black script Eko decal which some previous owner removed, leaving a light shadow of the decal on the wood. No pickguard, and two pickups. The electronics are a bit puzzling as the neck P/U is original but the bridge P/U is a J bass P/U (definitely non-original) that is press fitted into the cavity. There is one volume for each and a common tone control, like a J, but there was a toggle switch, also, that was non-functional when I purchased this bass. After much fiddling, I really couldn't divine how the original P/Us were wired so I installed a new Les Paul-type toggle switch and new pots (the old stems were sheared off and the pots non-functional) and wired it the same as a Fender J bass. It works the same way as a J now except the neck and bridge P/U can be selected independently without fiddling with volume knobs. Pretty basic features, really.

The sound is similar to my MIM J bass but notably duller, though the fact that the 2 P/Us are a different manufacture and different impedances causes a bit more adjustment on the controls to find the right sound. The original neck P/U is a lower output and the sound is OK, just not really distinctive or impressive. I will confess that I haven't changed the strings yet (just being cheap) and their indeterminate age might contribute to the mundane sound this bass has. I haven't gigged or played in a band in almost 25 years and I just play through a little Behringer practice amp in my home office which suits me fine these days. Though the sound isn't really impressive, there's something that just feels good when I pick up this bass, the easy action, the smooth neck, the easy playablity.

Since this bass was subject to a couple of decades of use and abuse and had broken pots and a dead toggle switch, the bass feels amazingly good. The neck is dead straight, the bridge was adjusted well, the nut is solid, and no fret buzz or appreciable fret wear. It does have a few dings, chips, and scars on the body but there are no problems with structural integrity. With 3 pots, a toggle switch, and some effort, it works fine and plays amazingly well, considering I haven't invested in some decent tuners and new strings yet. I suppose this speaks well of Italian craftsmanship in bygone times.

For the neglect and abuse this thing has taken over the last 3 decades or so, it's got to be solidly built. To play live, the tuners and strings would need replacing but little else would need to be done. The neck is straight, smooth, and solid, the strap buttons are tight, and the finish is scarred but solid. I'd say that this is highly dependable for live play but ALWAYS have a backup.

I don't think the modern Eko is the same as 20 or 30 years ago, so this is N/A.

I played from '68 through '79, quit music, and just picked up my old basses (2 Teles and a VI) again last year. I've bought a few more since, just for toys, plus a few guitars and old tube amps that have struck my fancy. My problem is that I take pity on old and abused basses and the price ($55) was right on this one. I make it a project, fix what's wrong, and bring it back to life. (So far, I've fixed up this one and 2 Peaveys that were not quite as bad.) If it was stolen or lost it'd be no big deal, except I'd probably use the perp for gator bait in a swamp, just on principle. In all, it's a quality Italian made product of times past, an instrument that just feels good to hold and play. I'll probably give it to my grandson if and when he wants to start playing some day in the future. Until then, I'll just keep it in the corner to fondle occasionally.

i paid this bass the equivaletn of 100 us$. This bass has been several years ago in Italy by Eko. It is someway similar to a fender jazz bass but without pickguard. finished in natural it's a really solid bass guitar, it's impossible to say with precision the right year of production, but i'm sure when i think to the first '70s.

this is my back up bass. i play a rickenbacker 4001, ampeg svt3 pro with ampeg cabinets. the eko is a really good sounding bass. it has two old di marzio jazz pick ups that make the guitar sound loud and dark. the sustain is not the best, but the soun is big with interesting tonal range. respect to the rickenbacker it is darker with a little bit more punch on the lower notes. compared to jazz basses this one is really awesome and play absolutely better than squier and mexican fender due to better woods and more attention in the building operations. for the price is an incredible instruments.

this one has the same action and fit of a good old fender jazz. it weight more, but if you close your eyes you'll have the exact idea of playing fender. as everything made 30 years ago is finished better than actual products, probally thanks to the low number of instruments made compared to actual poductions

the bass is with me for years without a problem, both live and in the studio. i think that a cheap bass with good woods and sound is to be found absolutely not in the market of new instruments, but in the second hand one. you'll find a lot of cheap bass only beacuse the brand is no more in businnes or is not attractive. go back to the dinoasaur era and you'll be happy!

eko seems to be back on businnes with italian made guitars such as model like manta, cobra or camaro. they have a website, ekoguitars.com but they haven't answered to my request when i was looking for the year of production of my bass. little things...

great sounding, cheap, strong bass. eko made good bass too among crappy ones and this one is really good.