EKO RANGER 6 ACOUSTIC DREADNOUGHT GUITAR REVIEW & DEMO MADE IN RECANATI ITALY 1960's 1970's & 1980's

A detailed Eko ranger 6 string dreadnought acoustic guitar 1960’s, 1970s & 1980's model comparison review & demo.
These two guitars are for sale click the links below to check them out
1980s Ranger
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1960s Ranger
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TITLE MUSIC AND LYRICS
1) All My Life (Acoustic demo) © Jacob Marlowe, Isaac Morgan, & Joshua warren Laye
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[@CaratacusAD]

So, thanks to this video I found out my Eko Ranger is a 1960's one :) It used to belong to my dad who sold it to his cousin in the 70's and then I got it from him in 90's. I hadn't looked at it in years as I'm re-learning on electric after a Hiatus of twenty odd years.... Also and i know it's not relevant, I discovered the old whitish coloured Marshall combo I bought off my dad's old band mate back in 1996 that was stuffed behind a door is in fact a very rare late 80's 50W 25th silver Jubilee model. I suddenly feel incredibly grateful and lucky

[@sunhotband]

Thank your for your kind comment - glad you found our video informative - and it rekindled your interest in your Dad's Eko Ranger - great that your discovered the Marshall too ! If you have not already please don't forget to like subscribe and share - and take a look at our all original music - it really helps with our work - All the very best Marlowe, Morgan & Warren SUN HOT BAND.

[@TheRawkVox]

Thank you very much for making this video . I just picked up 60 Eko . It has cracks and some minor issues but the sound and tone you get out it just spoke to my soul . I love it !!! Thanks again for the info

[@sunhotband]

Thank you so much for the kind comment - and glad you're enjoying your newly acquired Eko - Please don't for get to Subscribe and take a look at our all original music - link here for a taste kzbin.info/www/bejne/iauyepR-oq2dfrc - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan and Warren - SUN HOT BAND

[@colinbaldwin9702]

Excellent video and Demonstration 👏👏👏 Thank You Very Much 👍

[@sunhotband]

Thank you so much for the kind comment - Please don't for get to Subscribe and take a look at our all original music - link here for a taste kzbin.info/www/bejne/iauyepR-oq2dfrc - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan and Warren - SUN HOT BAND

[@jonathannewby5795]

Great video, best on YT on vintage Ekos

[@sunhotband]

Very kind - much appreciated - so glad you enjoyed it - if you like Eko's check out our other videos - link to one about the P2 here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYm2cpmLgaeffM0 - don't forget to subscribe, and check out my Band's - Sun Hot Band - all original music. All the very best Marlowe SUN HOT BAND 🙂

[@Hughenn]

I bought mine new in 1980 and it’s still going strong.

[@sunhotband]

Eko built them strong from quality materials and with an usually very thick finish - almost toffee apple like on some of the sixties and seventies example I've seen, I think mainly to ensure stability during shipping in order to minimise returns - hence why so many have lasted.

[@davebartram8762]

Yes, me too. Still play it now.

[@dupanoodle]

Nice informative video, thank you. I have the same body style as the 60s, but neck of the later guitar in your video (with the same golden decal inside, same sound hole pattern and same bridge shape but the painted headstock). I'm not sure if that's a quirky factory fit or not, however it was inherited from my late father and is the inspiration of my attempts to learn. I've had it gone over professionally so it's all straight and true regardless. While it was a value guitar of it's time, it feels like you could take it to war and it would come back without a scratch. What gauge strings are you using? I'll never let it go, so I aim to do it justice and play an open mic one day at least.

[@sunhotband]

Hi sound like your Father's Eko Ranger might have had a neck replacement at some time - which was one of its features that could be done when the frets wore out. I personally use Light 0.012 , 0.016, 0.024, 0.032, 0.042, 0.053 Round wound Phosphor bronze on my Ranger and my other acoustics. I now this is going to guitar heresy but I always buy budget brands and find they play and sound just as good, and last the same as the more expensive ones. From my experience learning way back now, - keep up with learning guitar - it takes time to reach a level before you really enjoy playing - but keep going - it so worth it! - Please don't forget to like and Subscribe and tell all you know about our all original music - All the very best - Marlowe - SUN HOT BAND

[@VirginiaDouglas-s6t]

Its a beautiful guitar with a lovely sound. I own one thank you❤

[@sunhotband]

Thank you so much for the kind comment - and glad you're enjoying your own Eko - Please if you have not already don't for get to Like & Subscribe, it really helps our channel, and take a look at our all original music - link here for a taste kzbin.info/www/bejne/iauyepR-oq2dfrc - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan and Warren - SUN HOT BAND

[@TheBorderlined]

hello, because of you, I bought 4 Eko's lol 😅, one modern Eko Ranger 6 vintage reissue, one Kay KD-28 (which is an Eko ranger made for the famous Kay brand ) and the third is a Ranger 6 late 60's and the 4th is the same early 70's (according to your description) I love them all, you made a very good review ,. I must add to render to Cesar what belongs to Cesar that the new Ranger reissue is of better construction, better finish and weights 150 grams lighter (with 2.4 kilo instead of 2.6) , because it uses plain wood instead of multi layers of plywood for the neck pocket. It sounds also great, same family sound as its old sisters. Thank you Mate. Greetings from Belgium

[@sunhotband]

Thank you - we so glad we inspired you to buy so many Eko's - they are great guitars. The newer far east constructed Eko's although we agree is superb don't think they have quite quite the same mojo as the Italian built examples and sound in terms of woods, the heavy finish, and the build which give the vintage examples a deeper more distinctive tone . Modern Rangers are built brilliantly using modern mass production techniques, finishes, and can end up playing extremely well - but to my ear anyway - not that distinctive - to like any other brand coming out of the far east. Anyway that just my view - great comment though and very much appreciated. If you haven't already don't forget to Subscribe and take a look at our all original music - link here for a taste kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3qlaWtvoJx9atU - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan, and Warren - SUN HOT BAND

[@TheBorderlined]

@@sunhotband I totally agree, the modern Ranger though built very well and being a great performer, doesn't have that vintage mojo nor that inimitable vintage tone... even if much louder . My four Eko's are all different built so they don't overlap one an other, this make sens in a collection, I noticed that the late 60's version compares to the early 70's is of better quality, the neck is made of 5 pieces instead of only 3 , cheaper to built so, the bridge has also different position for the rivets and the bridge nut is made out of bone, the other is cheap plastic, for the rest, almost identical. I don't have the latest version from the 80's as you have. Keep up the great work, I sub by the way :)

[@sunhotband]

@@TheBorderlined Seems the case in a lot of guitar brands - as the years go by competition and the drive to make a profit forces manufacturers to simplify construction and seek cheaper materials and parts - thanks for subscribing appreciated - all the very best Marlowe - SUN HOT BAND

[@TheBorderlined]

@@sunhotband you're very welcome. Have a great day

[@LordBrambor-uh9ny]

Really good video, thanks a lot! 😊

[@sunhotband]

Very kind much appreciated - we're so glad you enjoyed it - don't forget to subscribe and tell all you know about our gear reviews and our all original music - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan & Warren www.youtube.com/@sunhotband

[@pieshackproductions]

Story Time: I found a 60's Ranger VI at a thrift store for $18, needed a new neck because it was cracked, ordered one from eBay, sold it to a friend, bought it back, he realized the bridge was cracked because he kept getting fret buzz? Now I'm on the hunt for a new bridge, I'm determined to get this guitar golden! There's something about this guitar, thanks for a great video and historical info on it!

[@sunhotband]

Great story, Eko Ranger 6's are great guitars and I have changed many a neck on these too - it was one on the advantages of the bolt on neck. Fret buzz in unlikely to be from a cracked bridge - unless its not only cracked but lifted - and that would be unlikely on a Ranger 6 - as although sometimes the bridge wings lifts the centre section where the string pins are is riveted. Ranger bridges can too often have splits between and around the string pin holes, but these too, usually are no a problem and can be either left or filled in. Maybe you mean the saddle is cracked ? again a cracked saddle is unsightly and may in itself be a source of saddle buzz, but if that has been adjusted to the correct height and the set up of the guitar - the action has been adjusted well, the saddle height, and the truss rod neck relief correct , and there is still buzz at the frets then it could be unlevelled frets, but that is unlikely. What is more likely is that the neck is set wrong - and you did mention you have replaced the neck. What is not often realised is that you cant just unbolt a Ranger 6 neck and bolt on another like a Stratocaster , as the neck pockets we're not cut with any precision and were often set up in the factory for the neck it got by shimming it with pieces of thin veneer. However the best way to set a new Ranger neck is to make a card shim, or shims as necessary - so first rough fit the neck and check its geometry from nut to saddle at mid pint and a median neck relief. Then I make a number of thin card shims the exact size of the neck pocket, then cut them layering them up to form a very thin wedge of slopping card to correct the geometry as necessary. Then glue the cards together when I'm happy to make my very thin card wedge, then put it in the neck pocket, punch the four screw holes through, fit the neck tighten it up, restring etc. If this is done right - no fret buzz - and the guitar will set up fine. Just bolt on a new neck to a vintage guitar usually from a donner guitar that has not age distorted in the same way - chances are it will never play right again. Obviously there is more to know about this than I can put into a simple comment, and a long iterative job to get it right without experience - but can be accomplished if careful. Hope that info is useful and you get the Ranger playing well - don't forget to subscribe and listen to our all original music - All the very best Marlowe SUN HOT BAND . 🙂

[@delorissamuelson6988]

Hello, Thanks for the video, Wow! What a lot of detailed information. it was very informative and much appreciated. I have a question that i was hoping you could help me with. I recently purchased an Eko ranger 6 from a thrift store. Needed a lot of cleaning. It's in great condition, that i can tell. My question is, does this guitar (generally speaking) have a lot of sustain? This guitar has a lot. Like a lot. My best description woud be. Who else is playing in the room with me? The sound isn't muddy, its kinda musical. Listening to your video i hear that both guitars project but i am not sure about sustain. I am listening from my phone so i am not sure. I know you must be very busy, i appreciate anything you would like to share. Thank You!!

[@sunhotband]

🤔When you say sustain - is it a welcome voice of your guitar or an annoyance to you ? If it is the latter - the riveted bridges of these guitars wings tend to lift and the gap with the top creates unexpected reverberance and unwanted resonance which can be cured by wicking some glue under the bridge wings to stop them moving - or possibly there is a loose internal brace, or even sympathetic string resonance after the nut.

[@delorissamuelson6988]

@@sunhotband First, I apologize for the thumbs down on the response you gave to my comment. It was unintentional, I meant to leave a" LIKE 😊 " again, so sorry about that. I wanted to leave a positive response till I could message my thanks, woops. Thank You!! At this point it isn't being annoying. It is still very much in the clean up stage, I am just so happy it's playable. When I found it, it had four(all different colors)coats of acrylic paint on the top, side, fretboard, neck even the headstock. It was a pretty art project but I thought it was a waste of an instrument and couldn't leave it. 98% of the paint is gone, I just have to get the paint out of all the nooks and crannies. When i couldn't resist any longer I put strings on it. Oh, and it played!! A pretty bright sound without sounding tinny. A luthier told me beforehand the frets need leveling and there would probably be some fret buzz and there is but it isn't bad, i just have to pay close attention and place my fingers close, close, close to the frets, which is the proper way, but i am lazy and generally don't. Well like I said, I am just happy it's plays AND has a pretty sound. The information you gave me, makes feel better about possible problems in this area. I greatly appreciate you for taking the time to respond. Your video was very very informative, if I haven't subscribed already, I will after leaving this comment. Have a great Day!!

[@sunhotband]

@@delorissamuelson6988 Sounds like quite a project - I have owned several and they all needed some adjustment even the mint ones to get playing nice - they were well built by Eko, but a lot were never set up correctly. A lot of fret buzz on Rangers although can be unlevelled frets - that was one thing generally Eko got right - I would examine the neck to body angle - which is the source of fret buzz lot of the time. Thankfully the bolt on neck means that a neck reset is relatively easy to remove fret buzz, if you know what you are doing - and involves constructing some thin card shims to create the correct neck angle - so the bridge to nut string height above the frets is correct. I say this is more likely from my experience - but could also be that the action is just to low and this can be easily adjusted by raising the bridge. Good luck with your Eko, and many thanks for the interesting comments - all the very best Marlowe - SUN HOT BAND 🙂

[@alanpanther2752]

I have owned an Eko Ranger 12 - 1967 I think, for nearly 50 years. It is far and away my favourite accoustic guitar. Yes, the sustain is real. I have also just purchased a 1968 Ranger VI and I'm waiting on delivery. I'm willing to bet right now that there is little difference between them. (apart from the extra 6 strings).

[@delorissamuelson6988]

@@sunhotband Hello! Thank You for the suggestion. A slight adjustment has made a world of difference! Still a little buzz but that may be poor technique on my part. Thanks again!!

[@autocomplaciente]

excellent comparison. I definitely like the 60's more.

[@sunhotband]

Glad you enjoyed our video - if you haven't already don't forget to subscribe - it helps our channel a lot. We agree too - the 60's examples have the edge on the later 70's and 80's ones - but I've have seen some amazing I think early seventies example with amazing book matched highly figured backs - sort of thing you'd get only on high end guitars

[@raypitcher9767]

I have the cousin to this one being the Rio Bravo Eko, and had to alter it for left hand playing. I wanted to purchase one of these Rangers also but at present I don't think there are any left handed models on the market which is a huge shame. The sound is unique and any match to a more expensive guitar, they simply hold their own as a timeless classic. Can't fault them in any way, well built and if you own one you'll have it for life.

[@sunhotband]

Left handed Ranger 6's we're manufactured but will be rare and difficult to find - you could always do the same as with your Rio Bravo and convert a right handed one with a new nut, bridge saddle and additional left pick guard. An Eko Rio Bravo is a good instrument and very similar to the Ranger though. Glad you enjoyed the video don't forget to subscribe - good luck in your quest to find a lefty Ranger - all the every best Marlowe, Morgan & Warren SUN HOT BAND

[@raypitcher9767]

@@sunhotband Many thanks for your advice on the guitar, yes, it could be altered but the pick guard leaves a mark as I've tried this one and I had to remake a new one to compensate this part. Luckily the shape of the bridge is rounded and quite unique it hasn't affected the pitch of the low E string at all. The nut has to be curved due to the design and made to measure, but I did carve one from bone. Yes, I have subscribed and will be checking out your Band, the very best of luck with it, we musicians have to stick together .

[@sunhotband]

Appreciate the kind comments = many thanks for the support - don't forget to spread the word about our all original music - all the very best SUN HOT BAND@@raypitcher9767

[@maartensynth]

I've learned to play guitar on a ranger 6 built somewhere in the 70s. Very decent guitars 👍

[@sunhotband]

Agree - I too learned to play on mine too - it was my first real guitar too - glad you found our video informative. If you have not already please don't forget to like subscribe and share - and take a look at our all original music - it really helps with our work - All the very best Marlowe SUN HOT BAND.

[@maartensynth]

I'm from the Netherlands, and in the 60s and 70s Eko guitars were quite popular in the Netherlands. They were affordable and pretty good.

[@heerkojohanneskooistra6708]

George Baker used this one a lot ! ( His hits were-Paola blanca, Little green bag )

[@sunhotband]

Really interesting - I never knew that - l love Little Green Bag - and Paola Blanca is well very catchy. Very much appreciate the comment - Don't forget to Subscribe and Like if you haven't already and check out SUN HOT BANDS all original music - it really helps us out. All the very best - Marlowe - SUN HOT BAND.

[@evetdelarue8003]

Ty my mum bought me one of these Instill have it

[@Brokenmono]

I own a 60s one, diddnt know the bracing was heavier... nice guitars indeed. There are a few ridiculously cheap on ebay at the moment, £150... i got mine for £60 from a junk shop. I dunno why theyre so underated considering how many famous bands used them, Zeppelin, Genesis..

[@sunhotband]

Thank you so much for the kind comment - and glad you're enjoying your Eko too - that was good price - like all things branded in UK and the US Eko is known but not such a big thing, in Europe they are much more well known and obviously in Italy where there were made still have a big following - Please don't for get to Subscribe and take a look at our all original music - link here for a taste kzbin.info/www/bejne/iauyepR-oq2dfrc - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan and Warren - SUN HOT BAND

[@PlayTheBlues1963]

Are you selling the 80‘s ?

[@sunhotband]

Yes I am selling this but haven't listed it yes - its a really nice mint example with original retail tags period soft case barely been played not a mark on it, very rare to find one in this condition, that has such a great tone as in the demo video, if your interested DM me or call me on Facebook - my number is on my Sun Hot Band Facebook Page under bookings. All the very best Marlowe

[@calmit23]

I have a 60s ranger :)

[@sunhotband]

Glad you enjoyed our video - if you haven't already - don't forget to subscribe - and tell all you know about our all original music too - it helps our channel a lot. Much appreciated again - all the very best Marlowe, Morgan & Warren SUN HOT BAND 🙂

[@raybob843]

Actually it was Joe Egan that used this guitar

[@charlesceb673]

The fingerboard of the Eko Ranger VI from the 60's and 70's is not rosewood, it is wenge

[@sunhotband]

Glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate the comment - and its a very interesting observation - and strictly speaking we are both right - you are absolutely right it is - Wenge wood - being an endangered African tropical hard wood - and very akin to Brazilian Rose wood in its durability and tonal qualities, hence its substitution for it, obviously differing in being generally more straight grained. Manufactures of guitars for along time and still to the present day loosely termed "Rosewood" for a lot similar hardwood timbers species - that are are used for fretboards etc. in their guitars, and indeed Eko was no exception to this - indeed if you follow this link www.vintageguitarandbass.com/rose-morris/catalogues/1970_7.php to this original Rose Morris, the UK Eko's agent at the time, marketing literature specification for the Eko Ranger series you can see it clearly states "Rosewood fingerboard with perloid position dots. Adjustable Rosewood bridge" - so please excuse the "Rosewood" terminology use in my video commentary - I used it loosely as it was by Eko - as it would have been a longer and duller video if were to have gone into this much detail.

[@alanpanther2752]

Perhaps on the post 1973 models, but prior to 1973 the fingerboard is definitely rosewood.

[@Oopkaponk]

@@alanpanther2752 i have a 60ies j54 it has a wenge fretboard .