EKO Ranger VI

Product: Mid 70's EKO Ranger VI
Price Paid: ??100 used.


Chunky 6 string acoustic, bolt on neck, fairly wide fretboard, height adjustable bridge.

Love it! Tune it right and the box comes alive. Rich tones, good note-bridging sustain and it's quite sublime if played fairly gently.
Detune it and you can get some nice bluesy tones from it.
Tune it so the box hums with reasonance, capo the 3rd fret and play Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. The hairs on the back of your neck will stand on end.
Big box makes plenty of noise if thrashed but loses some of it's sound quality and can seem a little harsh. Bass doesn't quite keep up with the brighter tones. Great for pub drinking songs though.

My only grumble with the guitar is that the bridge was fitted about 5mm off center resulting in a slight mis-alignment of bridge/neck and the top e string slipping of the end of the fret from the 9th fret onwards. Shaving a little wood from the neck of the box and re-aligning the neck has mostly cured this.

Everything else is very good.
Bearing in mind this is a 30 odd year old guitar, the satin finish still looks great and has a beautiful yellowed patina to it. Its had some knocks and there are small dents all around the box but none of them have broken the granite-like finish.

The neck is super-smooth and perfectly straight and hasn't needed any adjustment. Fretboard is wearing well. Lovely to play.

It stays in tune and the intonation is very good.

I've got it set up for very low action and if I use a capo beyond the 8th fret it can buzz but the action can be raised at the bridge to compensate.

Even with the neck mis-alignment I'm still giving it 10.

Indestructable old thing. Doesn't snap strings and only ever needs a mild tweak to the tuning if I haven't used it for a week or so.

Didn't they go bust decades ago?

Cost me a hundred quid and came with a well travelled hard case.

Had it for over two years now and never tire of it. Definitely a keeper.

Would be upset if it got lost or broken.

my eko is a dreadnought style 6-string accoustic. frets are a dark wood, a dont think rosewood. the neck is fatter than my yamaha, but i prefer it that way. it was bought in the late 60s its handmade but there seems to be like a stripe of yellow going all the up the neck, looks great.

its brilliant for playing chords, fingerpicking, lead but nothing past the 10th fret or u get a pingy nose instead of the note. i think its the frets to blamb cause i changed the strings a couple of times and theres no really been any difference. that the most dissapointing thing about it. i dont tie myself to any one style so im learning a bit of everything to be well rounded though picking and lead is probably my favourite. its not got as much volume as my yamaha but its has a very bright sound with light heavy strings

the action is perfect one of my favourite things about it. the tuning heads had to be replaced but that was because they were neglected its a shame because they were the old kind u might see them on spanish guitars.

this guitar could withstand a bar brawl even if u hit every guy in the face with it, the thing is solid and with ekos its heavy which when i go to play any other accoustic it doesn't feel right somehow it feels light and flimsey and like a toy more than an instrument if anyone knows what guitar is new and like the eko let me know.

no

1973 Italy

Jumbo eko ranger iv 1780L model L/Handed 21 frets brought s/h ??40 bolt on neck with trussrod
you can lower the action on these guitars with ease
mahogany back and sides (douglas) a type of pine) top
on the older rangers the bridge lifts from the top alittle 1mm or 2mm on the newer models they fixed this problem by putting in a differant shaped bridge with a extra holding stud

love the sound of these old ekos rich tone
my style is blues but I play other styles too
everyone should aleast have owned one in there lives and most older players from the late 60s to 70s have played one

Ajustable saddle so great action
my ekos a good one but I have seen some with cracked finishes on the top below the bridge but there 25- 30 years old

I own 2 Eko Rangers and left and a right handed
great work horses quite heavy solid guitars
played one last nite at a small gig 8th Dec 2006 sounded great had no back up guitar either

never needed to have it repaired as yet
dont make them any more now
you can ownly buy them second hand

you can adjust the action easy at the saddle by turning two screws

made in italy so were cheaper than some other top brand names
but sounded just as good in some cases better

Italy 1974 - nicely matched veneers in this laminated machine. Laminated neck probably helped it survive the knocks and stay straight and in tune.

Others have described it and mine is the same. nly thing is the lacquer looks a bit heavy and "orange" now - probably yellowing with age.

I needed something bullet proof to take to sea for 3 chord tricking for sing-songs with kids and that I could let some one "have a go" with and not feel too frightened if it took a knock. It needed sufficient volume to belt it out a bit with a pick across a campfire at a beach! After messing around with strings it seems to sound best across its range with PHOSPHOR Bronze strings in the .53-.12 range. (Light or Medium - depends what country you come from!)

After altering the set-up (see below) it seems quite capable of a bit of fingerpicking, some bluesy noise and some respectable bending.

I currently have a Seymour Duncan pickup in it playing through a Fender Blues Junior (the pickup I messed around to get one to work with the amp - which was a given so no choice). Some fingerpicking and blues. It's OK but a little missing in the middle. Not the guitar's fault at this point - without a pickup - it is all there - it is the current electric setup that is the issue.

Given the original intended use this rates 10 for its ability to belt it out and not lose it.

This guitar cost me ?30 used in about 1985. It was all to hell and needed a sort out. The neck was bent, the action high, the truss rod was stuck but DID free up and the pegs were corroded but kind of worked. But theessentials were clearly there from the past and it could be worked on.

I completely dismantled the guitar (bolt on neck), switched the pegs out for something newer - I have no idea what they are now - but they were the best I could afford at the time and were better made and tuned smoother than the originals. Made a new nut and saddle (old one was chipped) after settling on the string size and put it all back together. Used Pieter Fillet's DIY Guitar Repair booklet and carefully followed his methodology. The guitar was about 1000% better to play

Rating based on ability to fix the setup

OK - Remember - this guitar has 150,000 sea miles on it in a bouncing sailboat in a solid case. It has fallen out more stowages (in case) than I would care to remember, suffered wild humidity swings, got splashed in boats, gritted with beach sand and got knocked around by well intended but clumsy kids who I let "have a go".

As noted - I switched out the tuning pegs early on and reworked the nut to suit new string sizes - but otherwise 30 years on - it is time to refinish the original deeply cracked laquer and refret it. But the wood is still good and the braces are still in place. The neck has a hairline crack in a bad bit of grain that I filled with crazy glue and clamped one night at sea. Never given trouble. It is heavy for what it is but I attribute this to its ability to stay in tune across wild humidity changes. I'm about to retire it into the shop for a refret and refinish of the lacquer.

For what it cost used and what it has survived - this guitar owes me nothing and is rated fo rdurability from that viewpoint - 9

Repairs - did it myself - so no opinion

I've been three chord tricking sing songs and finger picking a very few "specials" kept for the occasion for 20 years. If I wanted to do it all over again then I would probably buy it again.

I'm actually getting time to sit down these days and develop my playing so it is now too heavy (weight) and takes just a little too much effort to make it go despite getting the action down. I'll rework it this winter to refinish and refret it and try bringing the action down a hair. It could come down more with lighter strings but then its heavy construction won't make any sound so there really is not much room in that department. After refinishig it I will try and keep it in a reasonable humidty (fond hope in this colonial wood house with RH swinig from 30 to 95% RH) as the "house spare" for people to play with in the music room

So rating is based on original purpose and not current needs - 9

This guitar was made between 1970-1974 in Italy. It is hard to tell because there is no serial number, as, I have heard, is common with these guitars. It has 21 frets and a laminated top. I believe the top is spruce with mahogany sides... but I'm no wood/Eko guitar expert. This guitar came with a very retro and very cool plaid gig bag that was half fallen apart. My only complaint is that after years of climate hopping (most recently, Dallas, TX, to Camden, ME) the frets have began to rise and occasionaly will get a fingertip caught in them.

The guitar made me change genres. I was very into rock music, and after playing this guitar my focus has changed more to classic folk (think Bob Dylan). This guitar has one sound... which is obvious considering that most acoustic guitars do.

All answers in this category is very biased. This guitar is 30 years old and has jumped around the coutry for several years and experienced extreme cold to extreme heat. The frets have started to rise up from the fretboard, and there is a crack in the brige (between the tuning pegs). These do not affect sound, however. When I recieved this guitar, it was missing a straplock from the bottom, and I had one lying around. so after an hour and a half of messing around, the problem was solved.

This guitar is solid. I'll need to change out the tuners at some point because some are bent and some have bent gears. As I've said already, this guitar is over 30 years old and over that time (and dozens of moves) it has barely got even a scratch. I would most definitely rely on this guitar at a gig without any sort of backup.

I've never had to get it repaired. Neither has the previous owner. I believe that the Eko company is out of business though.

I've been playing for about 4 years, and have played everything from a rogue to a martin. This guitar was free, so I didn't ask any questions, and I didn't compare it to anything. I only wish that these guitars were built with set-necks instead of bolt-on.

Eko acoustic guitar "Ranger VI, Made in Italy". Early 70's model (possibly '74). Laminated top (spruce), sides and back (mahogany), rosewood fretboard and bridge. Bolt-on neck (joins the body at the 14th fret). Adjustable saddle (2 screws on either side of the saddle). 'Western/Dreadnaught' style body (square shoulders), back has a slight 'bowl'. The top is a 'tan/orange' finish with 'painted' concentric rings around the soundhole. Black 'Batwing' type scratch-plate. Headstock is Black, with the 'Eko' logo in goldleaf, covered by a transparent-perspex-type thick layer. Fretboard inlays are plastic 'dot' markings (no markings on side of fretboard). Machine heads are 'open' type with white plastic oval buttons.
The overall finish is Eko's "non scratchable laquer" a cross between gloss and satin. The grain on the top and the back are well matched. In fact the back has some small 'bird's eye' type speckles, and looks like the sort of finish one might find on an 'antique mahogany' piece of furniture. The body is edge-bound in white. The '3 piece' neck has an ajustable truss-rod. The neck is very 'chunky' and feels almost as wide as a 12 string!
As far as features are concerned, I think this guitar has all the 'standards' that one could expect in a guitar of this type and price in its 'day'.

I play ALL kinds of styles; from spanish classical to death-thrash-metal. But I have quite a few guitars that I can use for any particular type of sound I'm looking for.
At the moment I've got some "Dean Markley Lights" (0.11-0.46) and the sound is best describled as "shimmering" when strummed (With light strings it's very similar to a 12 string 'sound'). Despite the 'laminated' woods it gives a beautiful 'ring' which is remeniscent of my Gibson '69 Hummingbird and my '74 Dove. In fact the sound lies somewhere between the two!
(A 'medium guage' set of strings will probably give it a 'deeper' tone).
Great for strumming and 'picking' the odd note with a pick (I prefer one of my Martins or my Blueridges for 'finger-picking'). Certainly 'hold's it's own' against my Gibson '87 J200, but unlike the J200 - not so 'boomy'

I've tried the guitar with an LR Baggs M1 Active, straight through a Trace-Elliot acoustic amp, and also through a Mesa Boogie Road King.
This would make angels cry in heaven! Sounds incredible! Quite a lot of variation depending on pick speed and strength.

I recently bought this guitar on eBay from a guy in Germany! who told me that he was selling it on behalf of a friend who had it hung-up on the wall (in a pub) since the early 80's. Subsequently the only thing that the guitar had suffered is a lack of 'wood-care'. The strings that came with it were a 'half used' set but still sounded 'DOA'. I took them off and gave the whole guitar a good clean and put on a fresh set: concert-pitch tuned and left the guitar for a few days on a guitar stand (with a 'guitar humidifier' attached) in my front room to let it 'a-climatize' itself (The climate in Madrid is hot-dry-hot!). The tuning pegs still worked well but had also oxidized a bit (but with some duraglit & steel/chrome-solvo-autosol and a bit of patience they'll soon be back to their former glory!).
After giving it a good clean and some fresh strings it really is a different monster!
The action is High. I've adjusted the saddle as low as it will go, and the action at the 12th fret is still 0.5cms! BUT it plays well and has no fret-buzz anywhere. The guitar really needs a full-pro set-up and a change of saddle would do no harm. The Nut is original (black plastic) but it has a 'zero-fret' (nice) which, along with all the frets show very moderate use. Because of the age the fretboard has 'shrunken' and when playing, one can 'notice' the fret edges (although I'm being very 'picky' about this. The edges of the frets probably 'stick-out' about 0.01mm. I'm used to having my guitars set-up feeling like velvet!). Both the fretboard and bridge were in dire need of 'replenishment'. After a giving them a good clean and basic restoration they're 'sweet' again.

I couldn't ever imagine taking this guitar on tour with me - I already have my 'tour gear' pretty much sorted out (I play professionally and do about 100 gigs a year), and anyway, my guitar-tech takes care of my stage stuff - I actually only see my stage stuff at sound-check and during the gigs!

I think the guy that sold me this guitar really didn't know what he had! It obviously hadn't been used or abused. By the look of how it has survived thes past 30+ years, it will no doubt survive twice as long!

I don't think CS exists for these guitars now. I've been trying to find out as much as I can about these guitars on the net. I'm suddenly suffering from "Eko G.A.S." LOL

The only reason I bought this guitar was that it was the first 'image' of a steel-string acoustic that I had when I was a little boy and all I knew was that I wanted to play one of those! I'm 43 now, I've got some time on my hands, and while searching for something else on ebay, I suddenly came across an 'Eko' - I didn't buy that one but I kept my 'eye out' for one and got this one! I don't know why it took me so long to look for one (probably moving to Spain, having a family, and being in a band constantly touring has something to do with it!). I'm now on the 'hunt' for a few others. I have an 'acoustic/electric' model on the way, and I'm negotiating for a 12 string model also!

If it were lost or stolen I'd definitely buy the same model again (probably after serving some sort of jail sentence for some serious GBH on the thief!) - I'm seriously contemplating starting an 'EKO collection'!!!

In fact I would like to buy another, exactly the same but this time do some 'customizing': change the bridge, saddle, machineheads and have a pick-up fitted.

Because of the size of the neck, I wouldn't recommend it to beginners unless you've got big hands/long fingers, BUT I'd certaily reccomend anyone to have one in their 'collection'!

I guess Compaired to todays array of choices it's basic, but at the time, the adjustable bridge height was a nice little plus.

Surpisingly Good. It's a lovely all rounder for many acoustic genres. It's tone and timbre really rings out, Although I'd say for it's size, it's not quite as loud as some other much higher priced brands.

The action was the reason I bought mine. The factory/shop setting was quite high but with a few turns of the Bridge screws, it was beatifull. The neck is very comfortable. The finnish is very hardy, I've not really respected mine at times, but after all these years it still comes up gleaming with a polish and is not easy to chip the many coats.

An absolute Ten. Don't worry about hard cases with felt linings.. these baby's will survive world war three when others are firewood. The only downside is, they are quite an armfull on the weight side.

N/A They stoped making them in the mid 1980's I believe.

Mine's a true left handed Ranger 6 bought new back in 1979. For some reason the Eko brand had a kind of "Amatuer tag" attached to it among proffesionals at the time. Maybe because of it's reasonable price range. But if you ever get the priviledge of playing one you'll wonder what on earth justified it. they were (and still are) a quality built lovely sounding guitar. I've never regretted buying mine.

1973 Eko Ranger 6. Wonderful feel to the neck and easy to adjust.

Still sounds good especially for the money I paid in 1973. Needs strings replacing quite quickly or it loses both brightness and volume

Can't fault it. Easy to adjust. Solid as a landrover.

Guitar would withstand anything.

Playing 35 years. I have Gibson Les Paul Custom (1979), Fender Strat(1988) Tanglewood 1000 CE, Tangelwood 170, and a Taylor Acoustics.

I would quite happily play any of my acoustics for any event.

A guitar of this quality doesn't need loads of desirable features. Usually features are just there to disguise a guitars lack of quality. This guitar has character as standard, thats enough. its just a pick up and play guitar that u can enjoy without having to bullshit on about 'sound projection technology' or anything like that. All the same, for those of you who need those things, this guitar hasnt got allot

The sound when i got wasnt great so i decided to change its set-up and strings. I put on used strings i took off my electric les paul and lowered the action. Electric guitar strings didnt seem like the best option but its in a world of its own now. its sound is incredible. try it out and you'll see what i mean.

i have no idea what the factory set up or condition was because i found this at home in the attic. my mother had it when she was young and just left it in the attic for about 30 years.

this guitar wll last forever. i took it out of its grave in the attic after 30 years, just tuned it and played away on it for bout a year till i changed its set-up. there is a hole in the side it and i dont know where that came from. it actually looks like someone shot it. one of the handles for the tuning peg was missing so i just made one from a piece of wood i picked up of the ground but it does the job and adds to its overall apearance.

this model was made in italy before 69 sometime. its a timeless classic. as for the company support, i wandered onto this site in search of the company but they seem to have went out of buisness. so i guess it doesnt deserve anything more than 1. it does add to the whole experience of being a owner of an eko guitar cause now were a select few

ive been playing this guitar for 4 years. i started off with and left it for a while when i got big into electric guitars but i realised that this guitar is to good to be replaced by any other guitar. people who never played one will assume there pieces of crap but they are actually the ultimate acoustic for unprofessional players

I bought mine from a car boot withoit full set of strings and was recommended to fit a set of Ernie Balls Super Slinkies strings. It was a disaster. So quiet I put it in storage and continued with a spanish acoustic, until 2005 when I lent it to a proper musician who was teaching a pupip who needed an instrument.

He re strung it which brought out all the magnificent sound as Eko intended.
I will never sell it now and am anxious to get it home.

I would recommend use as a first guitar for song accompaniment but to go to any public performance without any back up is asking for trouble, but another Eko would be perfect

Never needed them, I didn,t know they were still there for advice

Playing for forty two years

100 year old spanish acoustic

Left handed Japanese Fender Strat

Piano

The Ranger six is too good to let go and I would try to find another one

It really too large for me to play comfortably but it sounds too good not to try

Made in Italy in the 1960s. Nice. I had this Guitar a few years ago, it was given to me by my Mothers Friends Husband, who had it for years and years and never even played guitar! So I had it and thought it was the worlds biggest wonder. It was beautiful! Its made very well and has a wonderful mellow sound that could blow you away.
Very simple guitar though, no silly bits, just pure acoustic!

I play a whole variety of things... Rock, Ballads, Pop, Metal... but on my Eko, the slow rock and ballads sound amazing. Simple Acoustic Versions of any songs sound lovely. I think this is a very underrated guitar and should be thought of as one of better.

Simply. The Guitar is Solid... Nothing is going to break it at all.
When I had it the back of the head had a crack that had been clued and that makes no difference whatsoever. Perfect Really.

I would definitly gig with this guitar... Definitly.
I took it on Holiday and that was all I could play for 2 weeks, and I never bored of playing it at all. The strap buttons on my Eko are a bit dodgy and one is replaced badly, but that doesnt affect me because I never use them.

Never tried to contact them, Never will need to.

I've been playing for 3 years. This guitar means so much to me, it will stay by me for years to come. If it was stolen I wouldnt by a new one, thats pointless, its not the same. I would try all my life to find it! I love its simplicity, its build quality, its SOUND!
Get one if you can. There quite rare, and valuable now. Go!

this guitar features 21 frets the last few of which are unusable due the electric guitar-like pick up in the sound hole. It sticks out a bit too far so when you play the highest notes on each string the string winds up resting on the metal pick up rather than the fret. Speaking of the pick up, it currently doesnt work but I suspect this is simply a wiring problem. when the pick up did work, not too long ago, it used a very nice tone knob and sounded great except it tended to feed back quite a bit through my Peavey transtube 212.

The guitar was purchased in italy (Udine) by my dad in 1970's and he claims to have toted it around with him everywhere he went. he didn't know how to play though and the thing wound up in the attic (when the original strings!) until a couple of years ago when I took up guitar. the old strings weren't terribly vibrant but when I put some Martin white Bronze strings on it the guitar had the rich tone of an aged guitar combined with the brilliance of the new strings. This thing sounds better than any reasonably priced guitar you can get new and only cost maybe 30 bucks in the 70's. My friends think it sounds great.

the action isnt low but it's still fairly easy to play. My friends Alvarez is much easier to play but the sound just doesn't measure up. you can tell that this was a pretty cheap guitar when it was bought because there's really nothin' too fancy about it. Cheap plastic pick guard is pretty ugly but can easily be removed. It's an old guitar so the finish isn't perfect anymore but considering it's age it is in REMARKABLE condition. I've done almost all the damage in the past year.

This is quite the solid guitar. I dont think I'd want to gig without a back up though because since I replaced the original strings, they've been breaking fairly often. I took a big spill with this thing strapped on when I tripped over a wire and it was fine. I landed guitar first onto a marble window sill. Just a small chip in the finish.

Never tried tried anything. I dont think a guitar like this would get much service (or need much)

Ive been playing for less then two years but have been doing so nonstop and with a passion. i own a Peavey Generation (hate it) and a Fender Mustang '72 (love it). if this thing were stolen I'm not sure If i'd buy another. I know that this one has been taken care of and it was in storage forever so I'd be wary of one thats experienced tougher times.

The ranger was advertised with the slogan "Buy your second guitar first"
Well it was my third.. but I take a while to learn anything. I bought it new in 1977 for #52. It is what they say. A basic but well made box. There are no fancy bindings to the neck, instead it is a bolt on three part laminate and a joy to use. It has a zero fret which gives it a really nice action, which coupled to the adjustable bridge makes it easy to set up. The tuners were not of the best. Functional is probably the best description. I put better ones on without spoiling the look, and have the option of putting the old ones back should i want to sell the thing.

Well, I was laughed at by my student friends for getting the eko... now everyone wants one. Reason. I guess it started out sounding good, and it just gets better and better. It dosent have the greatest sound projection, but it more than makes up for this in quality of sound. Played fingerstyle it has good sustain and detail of note, and you can get good slappy sounds by using a pick. Like all musical instruments it can be affected by the weather, but that makes it feel more alive and less plastic than the competition.

The ranger is a basic instrument in a lot of ways. There may not be a lot there but what is there is well put together. The've used plywood (which was laughed at!) but plywood is stable and predictable. and if it has lasted nearly 30 years they were right to do it. The internal binding of the soundbox is made of properly bent wood, not the laterally sawn stuff in virtually all of the far eastern ones. this pints to care in the build. Only thing i could really fault was the machines.. but theres plenty of ekos working on originals.

The general build of the ranger is such that you could probably use it as a cricket bat in the afternoon, and play it in the evening. The batwing pickguard is made of perspex so thick its probably bullett proof. And I have had the thing from new for 28 years, and its as good as the day i got it.. well no its better, the sound has matured. Play this at the gig at the end of the world... It will still be there afterwards.

Its never let me down, so i have never spoken to eko. I am given to believe they were passionate about what they did, and i gather they are making guitars again

The ranger is more a friend than a guitar. If it were stolen, I would get another whatever the price. But I would want my one back!! It's a good chunk of wood. I remember going through a nuber of guitars at the shop, and the ranger sounded better (not necessarily louder) than any of the others in my price range. I really do like the solidness of it, and for a basic instrument it has a "look" the batwing pickguard, very modern eko logo on the end of the neck, and the chunky rosewood bridge assemly make it sort of distinctive. I think i'd like it to be a family heirloom!

a dreadnought acoustic guitar from 60's or 70's i guess....not many features but what do you want from an acoustic?
this guitar is VERY rugged and durable...has survived 40 years of playing and will easily survive another 40....dunno about the wood...thick laquer protects well...bolt-on neck, easy to set-up, good tuners....no electronics, just pure acoustic greatness....

this has great tone....the low strings really put some sound out but the higher strings hold their own well...giving a well balanced and full sound....i have played this with a slide, works kinda well actually, but predominantly i play the blues....and this guy sings like the best of 'em...

has an easy to adjust bridge...i found it in the loft ('twas my aunts) and set it up with virtually no guitar knowledge....and its playing great today....frets seem to be well positioned and fine, slight niggle is that playing high up on the lower strings isn't in perfect tune, but from the other guitars i have thats just part of most guitars...certainly this is supremely easy to maintain and keep ship-shape...

this is where the eko really comes into its own....they were built with durability in mind i reckon, 'cos theres quite a few around today still....i've scraped, dropped, knocked and generally abused it....sure its got a few superficial marks but its structurally as good as ever...a mate of mine said they were once known as "reindeer bashers" on account of the abuse they can take...this was made before me, and i'm sure they'll be a few around after i am....

apparently eko went out of business sometime in the 70's/80's but now they're back....no acoustics as far as i know...just wacky-design electrics....but no need to deal with customer support - an eko ranger is never going to break down...

been playing for knocking 4years now....started on my ol' eko so its got sentimental value...but for the money this is a serious guitar...i really don't see why someone would shell out 600or700 quid for a new takamine, taylor or gibson when you can pick up a warhorse with history that'll last as long as you, sounds great and for just 50 english pounds....if someone had the audacity to steal this i would hunt them down, explain to them the error of their ways, and possibly cut their curtains down....then i'd take my eko and hit them with it - god knows they'll come off worse...

The EKO Ranger VI (at least the 60's models), in my opinion, was a dreadnought built ahead of its time using some great techniques and innovations. Mine was built in 1969 in Italy. Later models may have been made elsewhere and constructed differently, but examining this version produces some great construction.

The bolt on neck was a manufactuing design coming right out of EKO's success with electric guitars. For this guitar, that translates into longevity and reliability. On the top of the neck, there's an brass extra (starting) fret that helps bridge the guide and lowers the strings (increasing ease playability and creating a versatile instrument beyond the original marketing capabilities of a 'country & western' instrument). The neck is multiple pieces that help prevent any warping. Just pick it up and you realize it's over built. The thing weighs in heavy and is built to last.

The sides and back are Mahogany. I think the top is Spruce with a very nice deep finish? The neck is Rosewood. Tuners are OK and a little cheap looking, but they stay true. For the price and EKO's original target of an affordable, semi-mass produced instrument, I guess they had to cut costs somewhere and the tuners are the biggest negative. There's some great old marketing floating out there on the net that specify many features and stories about this guitar.

For me, I love the rich mellow tones that are produced from this instrument. Coupled with a set of nice light action strings, it produces a very soft resonate tones that blend nicely. I find the sound to be very mellow for such a big body even under heavy strum or picking. That suits me fine and plays to my style, however, others may find the guitar to lack that 'punch' when requested. The bass tones are pronounced and clear but play very soft. Without a pick, it can result in a flat sound without amplification. The Ranger was billed as a 'pickers' guitar and I find that advertising a bit misleading based on other gutars played.

I purchased mine at an antique shop in Indiana after passing it by for several weeks. At first glance, nothing really stood out that made me want to pick it up. After a while, I did and two things jumped out. One, it weight a ton and I knew this deserved some examination. Two, and at the time, it sounded like bees in a hive and the sound was horrible. I found out the pick guard was loose and quickly summized this is why it's being left for dead. For the price they were asking, it needed to be saved.

Once I removed the guard, the sound was impressive and even though it wasn't what I expected, it provides a very versatile sound. I recently played into a mic and realized just how much you can produce from this instrument.

The most noticable flaw of my EKO was the pick guard. It was loose and created a horrible buzzing sound (which is why it was probably left for dead at an antique store). I attempted to have it repaired, however, decided just to remove it. As a result, there's a slight color variation that's just now melding together with the rest of the top. The sound, obviusly improved, and, I think it looks pretty good without the 'cheesy' guard.

I have no varnish chips or noticable cheap finish jobs. There are a few varnish cracks in the body that help show the instrument's age along with the trim that's since turned a pale yellow. For being 35 years old, the Ranger has an amazing staying power that's just getting better over time. I don't think it's met a half-life yet and I'd say the instument's character and sound is improved as a result of its gental aging process.

The action for me is smooth, however, it's got quite a wide neck for my short fingers. It's not the easiest guitar to play, but will certainly make you better. I've owned my Ranger for 8 or 9 years and have never needed to re-work it. I doubt in its 35 years it's changed from the factory settings. That's got to tell ou something.

Amplify it and keep it in a case when not in use. 50 years from now, it will still be around.

Have never attempted to contact the company so it's rather a moot point, however, some interesting history. At some point, in the 70's or 80's, the factory burned and it seemed destin that the company would go out of business (of which they probably did). I have since heard they are back on-line, mainly into electric guitars. Don't know who is running the corporation and if they are affiliated with the original owners? If needed, however, I'm not sure what service you could get. You would be better off going to a master craftsman to have any work done. Never send anything to Italy other than yourself. If it's in a box, you will never see it again.

I've been playing on and off for some 30 years and have found a new appreciation for the craft. I own a small collection of instruments at various price points. Considering the Ranger is almost as old as I am, it has a nolstalgic significance beyond some of my newer better sounding instruments. I've resarched and continue to find information on this guitar and find that people who own it keep comming back. There are some top named artists that started on the Ranger and still pull it off the shelf. It will make you a better player, and, although it does not carry the appeal or overall craftsmanship of a Martin or Gibson, side by side, it can hold it's own. If it were lost, I'd find a replacement. It's like PB&J.

This is a late 60's/early 70's (not sure when?!) Eko ranger 6, six string acoustic which was very kindly given to the family. It has a rosewood fret board which meets the body at the 14th fret.The brige consists of a plastic saddle on a wood plate
This guitar is a bulky dreadnought. THe front is a laquered softwood of some sort me thinks and the back and sides are mahogany. The laquer chips off occassionaly but it takes a pretty big impact to damage the finish.There is also a black and white binding running round the edge of the body and a black plastic 'bat wing'scratchplate.Its a pretty simple, heavy, durable instrument - built to last

The heavy construction allows this guitar to benefit from a bright crunchy sound. It is a beautiful sounding instrument and the big dreadnought body allows for a gutsy sound with plenty of volume. I found that Martin SP 10's give the best sound for my strummy style and allow you hack away with gusto without rattles. There is some occassional vibration on the higher frets but I put that down to over thirty years of wear and tear and it adds a bit of character to the sound. I would say this guitar gives a good, clean sound and most people who here it like it.

The action on this guitar is very low and allows for quick movements up and down the fret board with minimum effort. Even bends aren't too much of a problem and the strings achieve a nice balance between finger ripping tightness and buzzy slackness (if thats a word). I find especially good when playing spanish or classical tunes as the fast action allows for quick pull offs and rapid vibratos.
The fit and finish of this guitar is superb and there are no annoying rattles. In short its absolutely bomb proof! The tuning pegs have a bit of rust on them as well as the gears which can make tunnig hard work but they do the job and I cant imagine them breaking off any time soon.

This is the most dependable guitar I have ever played. It stays in tune for weeks at a time!!!! It is built to last and never falters.The laquer occassionaly chips and scratches but to no great extent. The strap buttons are stron enough to allow it to be hurled around at great force with out fear of taking the crowd out. It seems to sound better in a warm noisy live environment and when its miked up it gives crowd capturing clarity and tone

Never needed to get it repaired which says alot.so I'll give it a middling 5 as they can build a rock solid guitar but whether they can repair it or not is yet to be discovered.

I've been playing seriously for about five years and just used to mess around on it in my younger days. I'm 18 now and this guitar seems to have been in the family all my life and I don't really fancy another acoustic as this meets all the requirements. I also own an Epiphone casino and a marshall 80 watter' which gives a stunning sound. When I combine the Epiphone and the EKO on my 4 track it sounds stunnning as the warm Epiphone compliments the crisp sounding EKO well. If some one stole it I'd hunt them down like a dog. In seriousness I'd be gutted If I lost this guitar and would strive to get hold of another ranger 6. I love its sound, I love the way it looks and I love the way it can withstand a good kicking, or an atomic blast.

marked-ranger 6 .ser no-220783.22 frets that join the body at 14.fret board is dark wood with white dot markings.it has 0 fret.tuning pegs were orig'open with white heads.the bridge is a simple plastic saddle that sits on a dark wood plate .body top ,light wood with heavey laquuer with grain running top to bottom, sides are of a darker wood with the grain running all the way around.back also of dark wood and seems to be in 2 pieces as the grain runs diag'on both sides into the centre. its a very heavy piece of kit and seems to be built to last.oh it also has binding ,back and front of white with 2 black stripes .the neck is bolted on.

yeah it sounds like a doris day film looks ,fuckin' bright.its a jumbo so its loud and with planty of tone?.i play every thing on it and have little experiance on another so to me it suits.

its built like a brick, i've had to change the bridge saddle once and all the machine heads but its structure is sound.to me it looks great simple and efficient. the action is high and the neck thick, but for the extra work needed it give some great gifts, and when i get on to my strat it seems my fingers and hands have just had plaster of paris removed, flash ahhh...ahhhhh

as i've stated, if the titanic was built half as goo as this thing ,leanardo de caprio would have been short one block buster.

never had to go outside of local support

i've been playing at playinf for 20 yaersand i own 2 guitars this and a fender electric. i love the fact it gives me the option of not paying the electricity bill, and if it were stolen id amass the greatest possy in history e.g the a team, knight rider, columbo and angela landsbury? or maybe id have a smoke and contemplate how the fuck i'm gonna get another.

It is a 70s cherry sunburst without a lable to tell its model.It was made in italy as marking shown at the back of the peg head. The neck is a 3 piece type of very nice looking mahogany. 22 frets including a zero fret to perform as the nut.The sides and backs are figured dark red mahogany. It's thick and heavy with a nicely finished solid top(spruce,I think). Simple cream bindings of the body. I bought this lovely jumbo from a friend in around '81.He told me that he had it hung somewhere in the house for years. The first impression was a dirty,dark,dusty ugly old broken unplayable piece of junk asking for 150 Hong Kong dollars. The final deal was HK$100(aboutUS$20).I took it home and tried to clean it up.It took me 5 hours to bring it back to life. To my surprise, It was a brand new guitar with no scratches at all. It looks so good even better than those I had played before.EKO was quite a popular brand in the '60s to the '70 in HK.They were not cheap at all by then.This one comes with an oversized adjustable bridge,open tunners and a gold EKO logo under the thick transparent finish.

It sounds like what an good old jumbo should.... just very good sounding.There are lots of tone may be of the thick and heavy mahogany body.I can say perhaps a little less power but the tonal balance is of superb standard. It rings even better than my 78 Ovation deep bowl.It's not the best sounding guitar but one carries good character of a high standard instrument.To me, it's tight and silky.......I play a lot of finger picking style. This one suit my tast with picks or fingers. The dark wood fret board feels like and electric so fast solo running is light and easy.

I always do the set ups for all my guitars. It comes with quite high action. But after 5 hours of hard work, it plays like magic.The wood was very nicely selected with high standard workmanship. The finish was far too thick as it should be for an acoustic guitar. The tuning pegs are very simple open type but reliable.They stay in tune perfectly.The adjustable bridge is something I like to have for my Ovation also.

It looks like it will last at least a hundred years. The construction is like a tank.The bottom strap button is made of plastic but still very hard to break over years of abuse.I never gig without a backup even though it can last after heavy attack from bin laden.

Never need any service from them. But I must again thank Mr.Stepheno of fetish guitar who gave me immediate reponse about the model name of this EKO.

I've been playing for over 30 years. I have a '82 Fender Telecaster w top loading bridge, an all natural maple Gibson L6S,an Ovation 78 model deep bowl,a '70s Yamaha G90A Classical,an Aria '69 classical,2x'70sIbanez Les Paul copies(one Black,one Gold top),an early '70s Japanese Morris CF type Martin duplicate,a Hofner semi hollow Les Paul copy w 2 wooden Hi FI pickups, a'82 Tokai Love Rock,a SG'68 custom made copy,an Epiphone Fat210 natural alder body,an Epiphone blue Flake Les Paul, a Hofner solid body bass, a Guyatone Jazz Bass replica,an Applause Precision Bass replica and red Strat alder replica.
If the EKO was stolen, I would use my Ovation again because it is a lot lighter.May be I will consider buying a Fisherman equipped solid body for the thinner body reason. I think putting in an acoustic pickup to the EKO will sound nice and healthy judging from its construction and weight. This could be my next project.The EKO RangerVI is a total satisfaction.

The year is unknown to me but it was baught in around 1960's, in Germany. It was made in recanai italy. This is a aucustic guitar with 21 frets and a solid top.

Its a sweet sounding guitar. It can be soft but u can play some rock on it if you know what your doing. The sound is very rich and most poeple found it soothing just to listen to its sound. This is my fathers guitar, hes had it for at least 30 years and its still his i just play with it every day or to if i get a chance. I thik its an amazing instrument and i wish i could buy one of my own.

This guitar is built to last. Ever since my fatehr baught it (again at leats 30 years) there i nothing that went wrong with it. there were no repairs done etc. The neck allways stayed straight and everything works well and it sounds great even after all these years i'd say the factory did a great job at building it.

Never needed it i dont even know how to reach teh company.

Its been played since the 1960's and its great i'm pretty sure its not teh best guitar in teh world but i myslef would go cray if it was stolen and i can only imagine what my father would do...letshope it never happens. I love the sound of this guitar and also teh way it looks it seems by looks and sound to be a great guitar.