My first very own bass was a short scale EKO..circa 1966-7. $300 CAD which was no small change, but still more affordable than the BIG names. I liked it because it was mine. The pickups were same. Noisy but did the job. Tuner heads same. I'm gettin' all nostalgesized right now.
Wonderful to see the care and detail you take, Dave. When I began playing guitar in 1958 the two brands everyone in England avoided were Rosetti and EKO - if only we knew!
Thanks for this video. I was just given a 100 model, the acoustic. One played once before, but at 54 years old, it needed a little bit of help. Again, thank you.
Ha Ha! Reminds me of my old Hofner Committee. I was 14 when I did my first gig with it. It was bigger than me! Strings like train rails! I played the Committee and my dad played the Verithin. Verithin and Reslo Ribbon gooseneck mic into Wem Copycat into a Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 with the Committee on the normal channel. And we did some big old venues and always had a great full sound. Yep! 30 Watt!!!
WannaBeatle Yes, very similar! My Committee was gorgeous! Very ornate. The only thing I will say is, that despite great finish it felt like it was made out of orange boxes.
The EKO 200 (this version is one of the 'Commander' types), would have had a small, translucent white pickguard in a shape similar to the old Epiphone Sheraton type - just as I say, smaller. The pickups could be somewhat microphonic, but a bit of shielding usually helped this. They really were very nice guitars in their day. A lot of UK players made their starts on these and Hofners.
The Eko Commander was not the model 200 but it was the model 100 in red-burst. The Commander has different "F" holes. The model Dave had worked on in this video is the model Eko 200 Vagabond. The Eko 200 came in the models Tramp, Vagabond, Tornado and Typhoon....... Oh....and this model Eko 200 Vagabond originally had a white pick guard.
Hi, Dave, always enjoy your videos and your sense of humour! I have this guitar, was a gift I received from my father in the mid sixties. I don’t believe it ever came with two pickups, only with the neck pickup - at least mine is configured this way - explains why the bridge pickup is a problem. Keep up the great work and enjoy!
There seems to be some kind of mysterious adoration for 60's EKO guitars going around. This is quite understandable from a plumber's perspective, because the moustache bridges on their flattop models, were not glued on, but had blind rivets to hold them. They still didn't win the Nobel price for that.
More than 50 years ago, the guitarist in my first band, started with a terrible Rodeo guitar. Then a friend of ours in a more established band, sold him his EKO double cut, (same coloring)!I agree with you, I cannot find it either. Back then there were no techs to be found, for any amount of money. No one really cared, all guitars we mysteries then.
Dave, love the video. I'm watching it for the first time, and it's now 2020. However, I have the fully acoustic Eko Modello 200, blond body, and it's incredible. It amazes me that the flame veneer on the back is book-matched directly over a single layer of book-matched maple. I can shine a light through it! Anyway, the action is low and fast, and the guitar is loud. Mine has the same peghead design, but the truss-rod adjustment is at the end of the board instead of being at the nut, which is made of a very hard black material. Incidentally, the pickguard is a heavy white accordion material (Eko was originally an accordion manufacturer) with a large pearloid figure similar to what you'd see on an old set of Ludwig drums. The shape, as others have said, is reminiscent of the guard on an Epiphone Sheraton/Riviera.
Hi Dave from Sydney Australia! Been watching your video's for at least the last 2 years they are great thanks for sharing. it would be great to see tone demo for all the guitars you repair in the future..
Dave, one of the issues with the older Italian electrics is that the manufacturers were accordion makers, and had a completely different school of thought than luthiers. Henceforth the goochery. I have a Julio Giuletti bass from around 1965-67 that's making me crazy, but these guitars and basses have some pretty cool aesthetics, like Eko's and Voxes, they all have the same kind of cool than Italian motor scooters had. Once you drink enough alcohol to get over the madness of it all, they are worthwhile projects. I especially like the Eko violin basses with the headstock that looks like a circumcised scroll. I think I saw one in one of your videos, bands like The Standells made those famous.
While being an Eko fan (Ranger 6, used for much song-writing, played like an electric), I am left bamboozled by your description of the violin bass' scroll head. Circumcised? I used to think I knew about knobs, but a circumcised scroll? Further research is required.
Great job Dave! That guitar reminded me a lot of the Hofner basses. In fact I have a Club bass single cutaway that shares that body profile , has the zero fret and floating bridge setup. Has to be an old school Euro thing! Wonderful video. 👍
Hi Dave I have a EKO ranger VI jumbo acoustic it has a adjustable bridge and the same zero fret bought it in 1972 for £72.00 and I still play it daily, I believe the firm went bust in the late 1970s, but they came back over the last 5 years or so and are making guitars again.
I've had an old Eko Ranger IV acoustic (made in Italy) for years and years, 30 maybe. People have often commented how nice she sounds for a cheap guitar with a laminate (plywood) front. The new reissues are spruce topped I think but this old girl is ply but she still sings sweet. And that good ol' Zero Fret. No nut problems for me ;^)
I have a ranger that I've had for probably 20 years. It's a 12 string. It sounds great, very unique. Super fun to play. And the thing is built like a tank! It probably was 15lbs. Maybe more. Haha. I love it though. Completely understand and unique instrument.
My favourite of the guitars I own is an Eko 100. Very similar, but without the binding on the neck. It was available with and without pickups, mine being the cheaper pickup-less one so I added a floating pickup to it. There are images of both 100 and 200 series Ekos at the Fetish Guitars website.
someone tried to adjust the action and didn't understand it Davey , I doubt anyone played it past the 7th fret , the binding was unusual I thought also ,.. I never seen keys like that either .. beautiful guitar and a great video man !! cheers from Ohio !! PS I want some stickers , how can I get them ? as Spock would say ,,, " facinating " a true guitar wizard ! ..
That's a pretty fly guitar. But this video does show what it is really like to work on guitars. All these tedious tiny little issues and problems requiring creative solutions add up and ideally wouldn't even be problems in the first place.
DUDE! U GO BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY EVERY TIME AND THAT IS WHAT I DO TOO. THE LUCKY ONES THAT BRING THERE SORRY ASS STUFF TO US TO FIX SHOULD BE SO GRATEFUL!
Easy to find a pic for this model 200 Dave... Also, I think you're right (AGAIN!) switch is maybe an afterthought... Of course, check for a "gooch"!! Could be "that guy" who did the zero fret magic! lol! Great fix man, since it's not a restore to original, doesn't warrant your time... keepin' it real, cheers!
I have an EKO Acoustic '76, under the BRENTWOOD Name, which I bought at WOOLCO b4 they Turned into WALMART. It had a Height Adjustable Saddle/Bridge in an An Aluminum Sleeve, and a removable Neck like that One as Well, and the Zero-Fret, and Flowover Nut the Very same as That, too. I think ALL Necks should be Bolt On, really. I got a Lot of Compliments on it's Sound over the Years. Some thought it sounded better than a GIBSON... Not Bad-Considering it only cost $106, back Then. That One THERE-Is a Beauty!!! Oh-The Fingerboard Radius I'm working on from Somebodies [already] Fret-Removed EKO Acoustic is 7.25.
Hi Dave, not criticizing, just curious. But why not just file some excess plastic off the bottom of the too tall pickup rather than shim the neck? They look a two inches thick!
If you google EKO guitar model 200 the first result has a bunch of info. tbis one looks closest to the "cherry burst". the switch and bridge look original and the missing pick guard was a little translucent pearl deal.
en.audiofanzine.com/hollow-body-electric-guitar/eko/200/medias/pictures/a.play,m.335162.html Looks like the exact same guitar only with a tremolo and no burst
Wow Dave, I give you great props for even taking on a job like that!? I've never heard of that brand before, it doesn't appear to be a guitar of any great value to the layman. If I saw it in a pawn shop or garage sale I would take a pass. Kudos to you for you're dedication of guitar repair despite what's been left on your doorstep! Please advise if this is a brand to keep an eye out for! Cheers!
No insult was intended, I was giving my first glance point of view with no knowledge of the brand. I thought I had kinda conveyed that in my comment, asking for knowledge of a lesser known brand in the US that I would have overlooked.
U ARE THE BOMB DUDE!!! AND I AM NOT GAY! JUST FOR THE FUCKING RECORD! I LOVE DOING THIS STUFF TOO!!! U HAVE TO LOVE DOING THIS TO DEAL WITH ALL THE SHIT THAT GOES ALONG WITH EVERY SINGLE JOB ! ROCK ON MY BROTHER!
Nice job Dave. Shit. I can measure fret height with my calipers. Can someone give me slap on the head, please.. Que bella guitarra... Love the tuning pegs and the pickups - even if you can't adjust them! Is the "Evil Empire" SMD?
MuscleDad420 - zero frets do also tend to groove from playing and string bending. I replaced the one on my old Dana and at the same time I banged in the loose frets and did a level and polish. Good test project guitar.
Maybe the Tailpiece has been changed Dave. See link for pictures of 2 EKOs. en.audiofanzine.com/hollow-body-electric-guitar/eko/200/medias/pictures/a.play,m.335162.html
I JUST HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN APPRECIATE THE OVER EFFORT THAT DAVE DOES!
My first very own bass was a short scale EKO..circa 1966-7. $300 CAD which was no small change, but still more affordable than the BIG names. I liked it because it was mine. The pickups were same. Noisy but did the job. Tuner heads same. I'm gettin' all nostalgesized right now.
You know, this is a surprisingly clean-looking EKO. It doesn't look that unusual, and, dare I say it, it has some pretty classic lines.
Wonderful to see the care and detail you take, Dave. When I began playing guitar in 1958 the two brands everyone in England avoided were Rosetti and EKO - if only we knew!
I like the more direct approach towards the actual guitar work in your last few videos.
Really did a fine job here Dave, this was a great vid, thanks for letting us watch... Cheers! 🍻
Thanks for this video. I was just given a 100 model, the acoustic. One played once before, but at 54 years old, it needed a little bit of help.
Again, thank you.
Sweet ! I just finished replacing the tuners on an old EKO Italy 12 string. Zero frets were very popular with European luthiers cince the 1800s.
Ha Ha! Reminds me of my old Hofner Committee. I was 14 when I did my first gig with it. It was bigger than me! Strings like train rails! I played the Committee and my dad played the Verithin. Verithin and Reslo Ribbon gooseneck mic into Wem Copycat into a Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 with the Committee on the normal channel. And we did some big old venues and always had a great full sound. Yep! 30 Watt!!!
WannaBeatle Yes, very similar! My Committee was gorgeous! Very ornate. The only thing I will say is, that despite great finish it felt like it was made out of orange boxes.
The EKO 200 (this version is one of the 'Commander' types), would have had a small, translucent white pickguard in a shape similar to the old Epiphone Sheraton type - just as I say, smaller. The pickups could be somewhat microphonic, but a bit of shielding usually helped this. They really were very nice guitars in their day. A lot of UK players made their starts on these and Hofners.
+1 - thanks!
looks more like a Gretsch
The Eko Commander was not the model 200 but it was the model 100 in red-burst. The Commander has different "F" holes. The model Dave had worked on in this video is the model Eko 200 Vagabond. The Eko 200 came in the models Tramp, Vagabond, Tornado and Typhoon....... Oh....and this model Eko 200 Vagabond originally had a white pick guard.
Hi, Dave, always enjoy your videos and your sense of humour! I have this guitar, was a gift I received from my father in the mid sixties. I don’t believe it ever came with two pickups, only with the neck pickup - at least mine is configured this way - explains why the bridge pickup is a problem.
Keep up the great work and enjoy!
I just picked up the red version, and only one pickup also.
There seems to be some kind of mysterious adoration for 60's EKO guitars going around.
This is quite understandable from a plumber's perspective, because the moustache bridges on their flattop models, were not glued on, but had blind rivets to hold them. They still didn't win the Nobel price for that.
More than 50 years ago, the guitarist in my first band, started with a terrible Rodeo guitar. Then a friend of ours in a more established band, sold him his EKO double cut, (same coloring)!I agree with you, I cannot find it either. Back then there were no techs to be found, for any amount of money. No one really cared, all guitars we mysteries then.
i loved the 'eko' acoustics from the 60s ..
Dave, love the video. I'm watching it for the first time, and it's now 2020. However, I have the fully acoustic Eko Modello 200, blond body, and it's incredible. It amazes me that the flame veneer on the back is book-matched directly over a single layer of book-matched maple. I can shine a light through it! Anyway, the action is low and fast, and the guitar is loud. Mine has the same peghead design, but the truss-rod adjustment is at the end of the board instead of being at the nut, which is made of a very hard black material. Incidentally, the pickguard is a heavy white accordion material (Eko was originally an accordion manufacturer) with a large pearloid figure similar to what you'd see on an old set of Ludwig drums. The shape, as others have said, is reminiscent of the guard on an Epiphone Sheraton/Riviera.
YOU REALLY ARE INCREDICBLE !
Great job, the right way to say EKO is like in Echo
I know this is a old video but I learned a lot, and I dig the in depth repair Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Love "The Party" reference! I'm going to have to watch it again now! Thanks Dave from a long time fan, first time commenter.
Hi Dave from Sydney Australia! Been watching your video's for at least the last 2 years they are great thanks for sharing. it would be great to see tone demo for all the guitars you repair in the future..
Good idea! I would especially like to hear a tone demo on this interesting looking guitar.
Dave, one of the issues with the older Italian electrics is that the manufacturers were accordion makers, and had a completely different school of thought than luthiers. Henceforth the goochery. I have a Julio Giuletti bass from around 1965-67 that's making me crazy, but these guitars and basses have some pretty cool aesthetics, like Eko's and Voxes, they all have the same kind of cool than Italian motor scooters had. Once you drink enough alcohol to get over the madness of it all, they are worthwhile projects. I especially like the Eko violin basses with the headstock that looks like a circumcised scroll. I think I saw one in one of your videos, bands like The Standells made those famous.
While being an Eko fan (Ranger 6, used for much song-writing, played like an electric), I am left bamboozled by your description of the violin bass' scroll head. Circumcised? I used to think I knew about knobs, but a circumcised scroll? Further research is required.
Also beautiful in this green color, I have an identical one, original and functional in every part and I put the redburst one up for sale.
Great job Dave! That guitar reminded me a lot of the Hofner basses. In fact I have a Club bass single cutaway that shares that body profile , has the zero fret and floating bridge setup. Has to be an old school Euro thing! Wonderful video. 👍
Very cool!
Hi Dave I have a EKO ranger VI jumbo acoustic it has a adjustable bridge and the same zero fret bought it in 1972 for £72.00 and I still play it daily, I believe the firm went bust in the late 1970s, but they came back over the last 5 years or so and are making guitars again.
Awesome video Dave!!!!!!!
I've had an old Eko Ranger IV acoustic (made in Italy) for years and years, 30 maybe.
People have often commented how nice she sounds for a cheap guitar with a laminate (plywood) front.
The new reissues are spruce topped I think but this old girl is ply but she still sings sweet.
And that good ol' Zero Fret. No nut problems for me ;^)
I have a ranger that I've had for probably 20 years. It's a 12 string. It sounds great, very unique. Super fun to play. And the thing is built like a tank! It probably was 15lbs. Maybe more. Haha. I love it though. Completely understand and unique instrument.
My favourite of the guitars I own is an Eko 100. Very similar, but without the binding on the neck. It was available with and without pickups, mine being the cheaper pickup-less one so I added a floating pickup to it. There are images of both 100 and 200 series Ekos at the Fetish Guitars website.
someone tried to adjust the action and didn't understand it Davey , I doubt anyone played it past the 7th fret , the binding was unusual I thought also ,.. I never seen keys like that either .. beautiful guitar and a great video man !! cheers from Ohio !! PS I want some stickers , how can I get them ? as Spock would say ,,, " facinating " a true guitar wizard !
..
That's a pretty fly guitar. But this video does show what it is really like to work on guitars. All these tedious tiny little issues and problems requiring creative solutions add up and ideally wouldn't even be problems in the first place.
Great Video Dave ! cool to see you work on this weird old eko guitar , Greetings from the sunny south of Portugal ;)
that thing begs to have a little Brian Setzer action. I love it.
Dave , you're the best! Excellent job ,great video, as usual!
Love your attitude!
Just got my Stickers! I'll put one on for my next show.
U BROUGHT IT BACK BRO!
THE STRAIGHT EDGE METHOD along frets to top of bridge might be easier with notches at the pick ups on the straight edge. (variations).
You are Welcome and Thank you
That is a really cool looking guitar.
DUDE! U GO BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY EVERY TIME AND THAT IS WHAT I DO TOO. THE LUCKY ONES THAT BRING THERE SORRY ASS STUFF TO US TO FIX SHOULD BE SO GRATEFUL!
Easy to find a pic for this model 200 Dave... Also, I think you're right (AGAIN!) switch is maybe an afterthought... Of course, check for a "gooch"!! Could be "that guy" who did the zero fret magic! lol! Great fix man, since it's not a restore to original, doesn't warrant your time... keepin' it real, cheers!
I have an EKO Acoustic '76, under the BRENTWOOD Name, which I bought at WOOLCO b4 they Turned into WALMART.
It had a Height Adjustable Saddle/Bridge in an An Aluminum Sleeve, and a removable Neck like that One as Well, and the Zero-Fret, and Flowover Nut the Very same as That, too.
I think ALL Necks should be Bolt On, really.
I got a Lot of Compliments on it's Sound over the Years.
Some thought it sounded better than a GIBSON...
Not Bad-Considering it only cost $106, back Then.
That One THERE-Is a Beauty!!!
Oh-The Fingerboard Radius I'm working on from Somebodies [already] Fret-Removed EKO Acoustic is 7.25.
Hi Dave, not criticizing, just curious. But why not just file some excess plastic off the bottom of the too tall pickup rather than shim the neck? They look a two inches thick!
If you google EKO guitar model 200 the first result has a bunch of info. tbis one looks closest to the "cherry burst". the switch and bridge look original and the missing pick guard was a little translucent pearl deal.
en.audiofanzine.com/hollow-body-electric-guitar/eko/200/medias/pictures/a.play,m.335162.html
Looks like the exact same guitar only with a tremolo and no burst
I was thinking that the plastic on the pickup could have been shaved down the get it lower to the deck.
Wow Dave, I give you great props for even taking on a job like that!? I've never heard of that brand before, it doesn't appear to be a guitar of any great value to the layman. If I saw it in a pawn shop or garage sale I would take a pass. Kudos to you for you're dedication of guitar repair despite what's been left on your doorstep! Please advise if this is a brand to keep an eye out for! Cheers!
EVH Wannabe I think you're underestimating how much people love this era of guitars....
No insult was intended, I was giving my first glance point of view with no knowledge of the brand. I thought I had kinda conveyed that in my comment, asking for knowledge of a lesser known brand in the US that I would have overlooked.
Couldn't you trim the plastic on the bottom of the pick up maybe ?
A beautiful guitar.....revered guitars in the UK these days...
U ARE THE BOMB DUDE!!! AND I AM NOT GAY! JUST FOR THE FUCKING RECORD! I LOVE DOING THIS STUFF TOO!!! U HAVE TO LOVE DOING THIS TO DEAL WITH ALL THE SHIT THAT GOES ALONG WITH EVERY SINGLE JOB ! ROCK ON MY BROTHER!
Had a EKO violin bass pup selector was white chicken head, they also made Vox guitars 8n 60s
I always pronounced it Echo Dave.
EKO - is this the same company that made the antler head bass from "The Custodians of Crap" episode?
I think they also mage some Vox guitars and basses.
made
Was this CA on the bridge saddles before you discovered the wonders of polystyrene cement ?
I was thinking the crumb might have been the little piece of fret wire that went missing.
Oh damn, you don't see Eko's that often
I was hoping for a crazy horn on the headstock like the Eko bass from the Custodians of Crap episode.
I would’ve been interested to see how he cleans the pots on a hollow body guitar.
from the top with an attachment
Nice job Dave.
Shit. I can measure fret height with my calipers. Can someone give me slap on the head, please..
Que bella guitarra... Love the tuning pegs and the pickups - even if you can't adjust them!
Is the "Evil Empire" SMD?
Wrote my 1st song on an Eko ranger XII. I believe these were made for or by Vox
I'm going to order some more stickers soon.
You didn't plug it in, Dave! It did sound nice acoustically.
I can't post a photo on UA-cam, but they have pictures of that model with the pick guard on Google Images.....
Pearl pickguard model 100 1 pick up for sale! 63" mint.
They have those files on Amazon .
What would the cost be for a job like this? I have a eko ranger 12 and needs some new frets.
Neat one...
My 200 only has only the neck pickup.
thatsa niiiice!
Didnt Eko also make can openers? xD
And margarine?
hello king dave
www.fetishguitars.com/2014/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/115.jpg. The image of the 200 from an advertisement
cool love you guys i built some very sweet stuff from, your retail site
Beeeeeeeeeeep!
I can imagine the owner of this guitar watching this video like a hawk.
why not like a Mongoose, or a owl..
I have cousins from Italy ! they have nut problems to !
TELE6220 you got it Charlie two nuts from Italy !lol
"The pickup is on the deck." Really? Couldn't the pickup body be "reduced" to take it down a few sixteenths? Seems like that was the biggest problem.
Change them to P90s
Floating bridge seems like a giant pain in the ass... accidentally changed all my strings at the same time, intonation is wrong now.
Hahhahaha the grooves in the zero fret. Good lord.
MuscleDad420 - zero frets do also tend to groove from playing and string bending. I replaced the one on my old Dana and at the same time I banged in the loose frets and did a level and polish. Good test project guitar.
jonas brave yep. Filing grooves in a zero fret to fix the action in the first position is a new one though. Spot level it!
Strumenti musicali. I had a Eko solid body. An "s" type. It was okay.
you left the shim in. that's why the neck won't sit in the pocket.
never mind. i missed the movie magic.
Maybe the Tailpiece has been changed Dave. See link for pictures of 2 EKOs. en.audiofanzine.com/hollow-body-electric-guitar/eko/200/medias/pictures/a.play,m.335162.html
Hi Dave also from Australia. Thanks for the video's I think I found an image of the EKO medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/eko-200-335161.jpg
So apparently Italian guitar maintenance sucks as much as Italian motorcycle and car maintenance.
Thickest neck heel EVA! xD
EKO guitars actually has a cult following on Fb and online elsewhere
Check out a website called guitarfetish.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
zero Freddy
acusticamente.org/forum/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=607 Hi Dave a link to a picture.
Zero fret was a piece of spaghetti painted silver.
First!
bcrich581 First thumbs down too! Congratulations.
Thanks, rockstar in mom's basement!
COOL