EKO Ranger Electra 12

The guitar's original pickup was replaced by a Gibson Humbbucker. The sound is very good and full

Because the guitar is built so solid with a two solid blocks in the body, the sound is bright and full.

I have been playing 12 strings for almost 40 years - Hoffner, Gibson, Yamaha. Washburn, Yamaha and Fender. The action is really fine and of importance, adjustable. The truss rod is very responsive. The guitar's finish is crazed but otherwise, in great shape. The only complaint is when on stage, it is a little too heavy. The kneck is wide and action is fast.

The one I own is about 36 years old, so it is in grat shape except my wife knocked it over and- sob! sob! - the neck snapped at the end of the truss rod where it is impossible to repair. If anyone has a Ranger electric neck, let me know as it simply bolt on.

I tried to get the neck repaired but it was butchered by the repair technecian. I will never go there again.

I have been playing for 40 years. I am not a proffessional but my son plays proffessional jazz vibes and drums. I have a 1950 Martin D18, Washburn 12, Japanese Floyd Rose Strat, a sunburst strat rebuilt after a stage mauling ( the nicest strat I have ever plyayed - new body with old Japanese electronics),vintage black US Strat, original hand made BC Rich Eagle from 1976 - the 700th guitar they made (mint), Harmony single pickup with Lawrence replacement, and Gibson ES775 bought from an estate auction in England (supposedly owned bt Eric Clapton). If I had one wish it would be to bring the old Eko back to life.

The first "real" guitar I ever owned was bought in 1969 in Westchester, CA and stolen from me in Santa Monica in 1973. I travelled with it for a few years between San Francisco and Santa Monica, and the heavy lacquer/laminated finish barely showed a scratch despite playing on beaches, in woods, along streams, in a bouncing truck or in the dining room of the commune where I recorded.

It was a heavy body with wide fretboard, excellent for my pudgey digits and LOUD. The acoustic box put out an incredible amount of sound and even the home recording was exciting. It was a great axe for the hippy folk music I loved and when I joined other people it supported their six strings with great sound.

Since I shifted between the Eko Ranger XII acoustic and a Rickenbacher 12 (black finish), the Ranger always seemed to have high action, but after it was stolen and I played some other 12 strings, it was really very good. It had no defects with which I was familiar.

This box would have lasted for years, if some envious junkie hadn't decided to steal it from my room in the commune where I lived.

I never had to seek customer support. I replaced the heads once, did it myself and had no problem. Similary adjusted the T-Nect myself, no problem.

I've owned Takamini 12, Yamaki 6 and Washburn D100, plus playing my group, friends and family guitars (Gibson, Martin, Gretch, etc.) and was never unhappy with the Eko Ranger. I have been looking for one to play and for nostalgic reasons.

This Ranger 12 Electra was probably built around 1971. I bought it 3rd-hand only recently, to provide my son with his own 12-string as he is constantly playing my first Ranger 12 which is only acoustic. So now we have 2 of these wonderful music machines around and that gives me the opportunity to compare them. I bought number 1 in 1972 and I took it along whereever I could. You could say I got married to it - you'll never find a spouse more loyal! Easily adjustable to your personal taste with the bridge that can be screwed up or down. Number 2 has the same features ofcourse, but the Electra has a built in pick-up at the bottom of the neck, just on the side of the tone-hole. It is a magnetic and NOT a piezo pick-up so this guitar gives no trouble whatsoever concerning feedback when played on stage with 500 Watts behind you! Still the sound is excellent, both acoustic and electric.
The sound is adjustable with a volume- and a tone-control that do their work fine, no scratching or humming. Try anything new to last 30+ years to do that!
The tuners have been replaced by new sets, as you often see with the Eko. The body has seen better times, there are several cracks in the laquer but they don't go through the wood and don't effect the sound.

I like to play songs a bit folk-style, but I notice that nowadays the younger people are rediscovering the 12-string sound. And I enjoy it!
The acoustic sound of this guitar is phenomenal: Very rich and full and it stayes in tune way up to the highest frets.
The electric sound lacks the warmth of the body but the sustain is great. Here you have to make sure you put the right strings on. As I can compare the numbers 1 and 2, I'd say the sound is best with d'Addario strings, not Martin. AND DON'T adjust the bridge too low, it doesn't rattle and plays easily but takes away 30% of the power and brilliance.

This instrument was handcrafted in Italy, and as I have read in several articles, Europe's answer to the American top-guitars. I can only agree with that. It's still a beauty to the eyes and ears.
And as you can adjust the action to a level that literally EVERYONE can play I'd say she's a very willing lady!

My number 1 is in my posession for 34 years and it has fallen down the stairs, been thrown around (in a bag) and has several cracks in the side of the body which I have tried to repair by letting glue drip into it and taping it up. It still sounds as 34 years ago. I know, because I have recordings I made with it then!
So this 'new' number 2 has my full confidence although there are some serious cracks in the lacquer. I mostly play with my eyes closed, so who cares?

I have never had anything to do with the customer support and I don't expect to get it either. On my number 1 I had to replace the original steel-buttoned tuners for white-buttoned ones, but I had no trouble getting them - they were simply in stock at my local music store. But tat was 21 years ago.

So this number 2 I've been playing for a couple of days now, but I play guitar for over 35 years, and I own several electric and acoustic guitars. Stratocater, Spanish classical, semi-acoustic western, etc. I also play double-bass and saxophone.
Would this one get lost I'd be very sad, I've been trying to get this one for quite some time. Fortunately we have 2 of them around now. If I get a chance to buy one extra I think I will, even if it were only to keep it for its value.

the eko 12 string ranger electra was the working man;s twelve banger. they are very tough instruments but have a delicate sound. the pickup worked very well and was quite distinctive in all the garage bands i played in as a kid the neck is a bolt on and is very playable. the finish is very clear and holds up mine is 40 years old and looks brand new

i like the electric sound, the acoustic sound is a little wimpy

so easy to finger a great fretboard
the g string frets sharp

awesome built like a tank

the importerr loduca bros in milwaukee wisconsin are great, but they are probably out of business now
the warranty is a non issue
it is not worth repairing if they break, which they dont, the cash value is minimal

for a cheap guitar it is cool
if you want a martin or taylor sound this won't work
if you want a different sound this may be a neat option

I THINK THIS GUITAR WAS MADE IN THE SIXTIES IN ITALY IT HAS A SOLID TOP WITH A SINGLE PICK UP LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NECK WHICH USED TO WORK WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN THE SEVENTIE,S IT HAS TWO CONTROL,S VOL,TONE THE BUTTON,S ARE A BROWN METAL.I,M NOT SURE OF THE WOOD TYPE,S USED FOR THIS GUITAR BUT IT IS VERY HEAVY

I LIKE THE SOUND BUT IT LAK,S VOLUME WHEN NOT PLUGGED IN

IT IS A DURABLE GUITAR WITH LOT,S OF DENT, AND DING,S IT STILL PLAY,S WELL AND SOUND,S GOOD.I,VE CHANGED THE TUNERS RECENTLY BUT STILL HAVE NOT FOUND A PLACE TO REWIND THE PICK UP COIL,BUT I,M HAPPY PLAYING IT ACOUSTICALLY.

I,VE BEEN PLAYING ABOUT 40 YRS AND OWN A FEW OTHER GUITARS GIBSON 1955ES5,OVATION CELEBRITY,BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT I,M PLAYING MY EKO,I GUESS IT,S THE 12 STRING SOUND AND SUPER EASY TOUCH WHICH I HAVE NOT FOUND ON ANY OTHER 12 STRING GUITAR