The Eko's New Clothes

Bellycaster · August 2023

An Update from this Thread: Can you put a date on this Guitar? - Guitar Discussions on theFretBoard

Thanks to @Kittyfrisk and @Penn the Eko is now sporting it's period correct Bridge Pins, albeit on a non original bridge.

The fact that it has sentimental value is really the only reason anyone would shell out any money on an old Guitar like this, but I think my Uncle would have been delighted if he'd seen the results.

So, Jon Shuker has done a good job of polishing something that resembled a Turd. It actually plays very easily for me now and I'm someone who rarely played Acoustics.

I started by removing old strings and getting years worth of finger fudge of the fretboard with Alcohol Swabs and then giving it a bit of F-One Oil.

Jon then did the frets nicely, he's re-seated and re-shaped the saddle piece and had to ream out the holes slightly for the original Bridge Pins. He also fitted a new lower strap button.

Once I get a soundhole pick up, this will be used at Gigs for the odd song for me or our other Guitarist. It sounds OK and isn't a battle to play.

OK, it ain't a Martin, but to a pub full of punters who are well oiled, it sounds like an Acoustic Guitar. It seems to be stable regarding tuning as well.

No idea what I'll get charged yet as he's still fixing a wonky Bass Tuning Peg for me and giving it a check over. I've used Jon plenty in the past though, so I trust him.

https://i.imgur.com/u3xi7YN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GNZD7mU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UpX0RjM.jpg

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Tannin · August 2023

Better than a Martin for live gigs. Seriously - you need something that will take amping up without feedback and those built-like-a-tank Ekos will do it easily.

Jimmy Page didn't stick to his Eko for all those fantastic Led Zepplin years for no reason.

Sassafras · August 2023

Ranger 12 was my first decent guitar.

Kittyfrisk · August 2023

^ Mine too, still got it :-)

Offset · August 2023

A labour of love. Nice story, and I'm sure you'll think of your uncle each time you gig it.

Sassafras · August 2023

Kittyfrisk said:

^ Mine too, still got it :-)

They're not easily destroyed.
Them and cockroaches will survive a devastating nuclear armageddon.

Bellycaster · August 2023

Offset said:

A labour of love. Nice story, and I'm sure you'll think of your uncle each time you gig it.

I will and his family are pleased that the Guitar has had it's makeover

Kittyfrisk · August 2023

^

Penn · August 2023

@Bellycaster ;That looks really good. This is mine complete with its MFI style little plastic covers.

I’m really glad the bits I sent you were useful. I’ve held onto them for years in the hope someone would need them.

The worst bit of mine is the pickguard it’s as warped as a warped thing can be.

Kebabkid · August 2023

Nice one, Jon and glad it's turned out great.

I don't know what soundhole pickup you're thinking of getting I've been using the Fishman Rare Earth (Humbucker) on my Taylor Big Baby for a good few years and it's been great.

Bellycaster · August 2023

Kebabkid said:

Nice one, Jon and glad it's turned out great.

I don't know what soundhole pickup you're thinking of getting I've been using the Fishman Rare Earth (Humbucker) on my Taylor Big Baby for a good few years and it's been great.

Cheers, Cos. I'm having one (A Woody) sent by @Grangousier for the price of postage which is very kind of him. At his request, I'll make a donation to the Fretboard to make it more like I paid at least something for it.

This Guitar should get used on a couple of tracks at gigs by our other Guitarist. It's never had it so good

Bellycaster · August 2023

Penn said:

@Bellycaster ;That looks really good. This is mine complete with its MFI style little plastic covers.

I’m really glad the bits I sent you were useful. I’ve held onto them for years in the hope someone would need them.

The worst bit of mine is the pickguard it’s as warped as a warped thing can be.

That looks in better overall nick than mine @Penn

I see what you mean with the pickguard, just say it's a custom 3D pickguard, it'll make it sound impressive.

I think yours has a slightly different headstock design. Is yours a 70's one?

Penn · August 2023

Bellycaster said:

Penn said:

@Bellycaster ;That looks really good. This is mine complete with its MFI style little plastic covers.

I’m really glad the bits I sent you were useful. I’ve held onto them for years in the hope someone would need them.

The worst bit of mine is the pickguard it’s as warped as a warped thing can be.

That looks in better overall nick than mine @Penn

I see what you mean with the pickguard, just say it's a custom 3D pickguard, it'll make it sound impressive.

I think yours has a slightly different headstock design. Is yours a 70's one?

I’m not sure. We think it was bought by my wife’s grandfather when on a ship in the 60s but we’re not 100%.

Penn · August 2023

Yours is very different but I think we (the fretboard collective) thought yours might have been a mix of parts didn’t we?

Bellycaster · August 2023

Penn said:

Yours is very different but I think we (the fretboard collective) thought yours might have been a mix of parts didn’t we?

Aye, I think it must have been from a crossover period. Must make it rare. Got to be worth £1K of anyone's money

Henrytwang · September 2023

I have several old EKO six string and one twelve sting guitars . They all come from the 1960s and 70s. They’re all a bit different to each other, the twelve sting is a little more different from the usual as it has a factory fitted trapeze tail piece. The plywood construction has certainly survived the test of time, they may be a bit battered but all still play well.

Scavenger · September 2023

Over the years I'd encountered a few Ekos and always thought that they had a certain something but until recently I couldn't justify owning one. A few months ago I decided that I should finally give in and get one. After a few false starts on eBay / market place I became the proud owner of a Rio Grande 12 string. Looks like the same body and neck as the Ranger but different machine heads , scratch plate and bridge. It instantly joined the "weapons of choice" selection that hangs on the living room wall
https://flic.kr/p/2oZqget

Bellycaster · September 2023

Scavenger said:

Over the years I'd encountered a few Ekos and always thought that they had a certain something but until recently I couldn't justify owning one. A few months ago I decided that I should finally give in and get one. After a few false starts on eBay / market place I became the proud owner of a Rio Grande 12 string. Looks like the same body and neck as the Ranger but different machine heads , scratch plate and bridge. It instantly joined the "weapons of choice" selection that hangs on the living room wall
https://flic.kr/p/2oZqget

Looking good.

guitarjack66 · September 2023

You are now a fully fledged Eko Warrior!

Tannin · September 2023

^ Oh, nicely played Sir!

Bellycaster · September 2023

And here it is sporting a nice 1990's Seymour Duncan Woody courtesy of @Grangousier ;

Very generous man, didn't want anything for it, so I'll make a donation to the forum instead.

It sounds very good and it will get the odd song or two at gigs from now on.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed something towards it.

https://i.imgur.com/ZmrL4bM.jpg

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The Eko's New Clothes

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