Guitar of the Day: Late 1960's Eko Ranger 12 String Electra

[@NormansRareGuitars]

Thank you all for watching, commenting, liking, and sharing our videos! PLEASE BE AWARE OF SPAM COMMENTS, THEY ARE USING OUR LOGO, AND PLEASE DO NOT PAY THEM ANYTHING!!! Thank you for all your support, and enjoy this episode of Guitar of the Day!!!

[@catfishmudflap]

I got one of those spammers on my comment recently. You are all such nice people. It makes me sad that the spammers are spoiling what you do. I reported the spammer. Maybe You Tube will deal with them. Peace and love always.

[@twistedlines1749]

They try and have you go to another app and have you put your information in and make fake profiles useing your name never trust anyone wanting your information.

[@chironstarrproject]

Yup, just blocked them and reported it .

[@f1s2hg3]

Mike Lemmo & Jen you guys are nice guys to warn the general public about the scammers! Great job 👏 because MOM ALWAYS SAID ITS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!

[@stephenmiller5023]

Yup!! A couple of months ago one contacted me to say I had won a prize from Norm’s and all I had to do was verify my shipping information. When I messaged back that if it was indeed a true “ Prize from Norman’s rare guitars” then I would just drive up and save shipping costs ( as I live only a couple hours away & have been up in person, even purchased my Taylor acoustic from him and had a signed autobiography from Norm himself) the messages instantly turned negative & the spammer tried to convince me 7 ways to Sunday to give out my “ Preferred shipping information and save a drive up”. 🤨. I knew right away it wasn’t in any way affiliated with Norm. Norm & crew are some of THE BEST you will ever come across and Michael , Jenn & All the rest are some of the nicest, honest , easy going people on this planet . It just sickens me that there’s an entire Empire out there in “ internet world “ who prey on the “ uninformed public” and STEAL and RUIN people’s lives with stolen information & identity theft. Be AWARE , & stay safe. Don’t give out your personal information to ANYONE, no matter “ How good the prize sounds” ………

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

Page did indeed use a rented Eko Ranger acoustic (non-electrified) 12-string to play “Tangerine” on the 1972 Australian tour only.

[@andrewnelson3078]

I belive it might’ve been an Eros. But they’re basically the same

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

@@andrewnelson3078 The twelve string that he used on the 1972 AustralAsian tour was indeed a rented Eko Ranger acoustic twelve string. You might be thinking of the 6-string acoustic that he used in the studio for “Thank You”, “Ramble On” and the outtake “La-La” which is confirmed to be an Eros Dakota 606 six string acoustic.

[@andrewnelson3078]

@@AllenGarberGuitarFun you’re right! Thanks for the info

[@lukegreenhatch7825]

My feeling is that it might have been an Eston which was the import name from the Lamberti Bros shop in Melbourne.

[@AllenGarberGuitarFun]

@@lukegreenhatch7825 You can clearly see the “Eko” logo on the headstock, so that would eliminate that possibility.

[@Mrsitarman]

I had a guitar exactly like this one that was stolen at a gas station in Del Mar CA in the 1980s while I was inside paying for my gas someone broke the window in my car grabbed the EKO and jumped into their car which I happened to glance at the survalance monitor while paying for my gas and ran outside caught up with the car as they were beginning to drive away while I was hitting the man in the face as he rolled up his drivers side window pulling out of the station and onto the on ramp on the I-5 heading south to San Diego. I was holding onto the his windshield wiper which came off as I fell on the asphalt damaging my left arm and never to see my guitar that I bought brand new in the mid sixties which matched my Vox 6 string acoustic electric. BUMMER!

[@joaquinszajbely]

Awesome story

[@slickdu]

I just bought one of these (‘70). Really love it and so cool to see it featured at Norm’s. For the money, a great and relatively affordable vintage 12-string. Pickup is definitely a bonus.

[@VonBluesman]

It sure is cool they way all of you have handled the store and business for Norm. It’s great to know he can count on y’all when he needs you the most in his life. Rock On. Get well Norm. 👏👍🎸🙏😎✌️

[@twistedlines1749]

Such a big sound,the way it rings tuned in 5ths is definitely uniqe. Thanks for another great week of beautiful guitars.

[@arcticsunburn3079]

Oh man I love you guys so much. Guitar of the day always makes my day. wish you all the best!!

[@Hughenn]

I have a 6 string Eko Ranger I bought new in 1980. It’s still going strong and sounds great.

[@alexanderdoonan956]

Hey Mike Jan loving this weeks episode it’s a beautiful 12 string thank you for doing all the hard work that you do bring in all these rare guitars that we probably wouldn’t see in a lifetime I hope Norm is doing really well and gets back on his feet really quickly 👍

[@tomreis7447]

Nice to see EKO's getting some love. I own a 60's EKO 700 electric guitar that was once owned by Keith Urban.

[@thayton]

Always come back to this one - that first tune Michael plays on the sofa is lovely

[@danielbevan9024]

It really is lovely. I have half heartedly tried to tune to 5th a few times. Does it only come out like this on a 12 string??

[@billieg826]

It is magical ! You are quite the player too !

[@joshroper2959]

I just bought a reissued EKO Ranger 12 and can’t stop playing it. It sounds amazing! Great playing as usual Lemmo, cheers from Maryland.

[@jreagle58]

I've been all over the map trying to decide which budget 12'er to buy. I like the looks of the EKO reissue but some of the reviews haven't been kind. How does she play unplugged and how's the action? I read the fact that because both the bridge and nut can be adjusted helps get that action low.

[@joshroper2959]

@@jreagle58 I didn’t get the electric version, I just got the standard model. The action is decent, a little high out of the box for my taste but it’s all personal preference. Very loud acoustically and very resonant. My only complaint is the fretboard was bone dry. I had to condition it 2-3 times for it to feel comfortable.

[@groverbaker6404]

God bless all at NORMS!! Thanks for the music

[@luisitodlopez5234]

Please, What is the song played at 6:19? Nice guitar and nice player! Kind regards from Madrid

[@banjoman101145]

I picked up an EKO 12-string while on r & r in Hong Kong in 1967. Made in Italy, they played pretty nice but quiet. I think I paid the equivalent of $40.00 for it. This rekindles some memories.

[@slbolfing56]

This is the second EKO I've seen demo'd - but the first with electronics. This one is awesome! Now, you just need a Giannini Craviola 12 string!!!

[@edwardbosloper2445]

My dad has one of these. They are cool!

[@joebirnie7618]

Does anyone know the song he starts playing at 6:18?

[@chironstarrproject]

A friend of mine had one of these guitars in the mid 80's and it sounded sweet. It was hard to play though and it sounded better with open chords. Well done Michael for working that neck! I think as it aged the neck bent beyond repair and we ended up painting it as a wall ornament.

[@jeffkelly636]

My dad has a Ranger XII with the floating bridge from the early 70s (haven't pinpointed the exact year yet). It's got the original case. The original neck mount on it was drilled boards, not a solid chunk of wood. So, his neck mount angle began to shift due to string tension, a common issue I believe due to the early mount design. I have bolstered this neck mount and reset the neck angle. Once I got the neck bolted back on at the right angle with nice low action all the way up the neck, this thing plays so beautifully I don't want to put it down! I can see how he fell in love with it, made a down-payment then payments until he finally owned it all those years ago.

[@keithrevst692]

I am kind of digging this new format, keep up the good work. It takes all of you to put up this content, and I look forward to these videos. Thank you all

[@davidprust]

I love this Italian guitar,sounds wonderful,bolt on neck is such a good idea.lovely finish on table and rear.

[@phcoh]

Bought my R12 new in 84, great party guitars as they survive when most other guitars would crumble. Got my hands on a 67 R6 a few years back to make a set. Now looking out for these ER versions. Good condition original EKOs are starting to cost 6 or 7 times more than there original cost new.

[@fredlyons4538]

EKOs are awesome! I have a 6string elec from 65!!

[@hamsterdangler]

My first guitar at age 8 was an Echo Ranger 6 string in 1957. I loved that guitar, loaned it to a friend while at college, he played it on stage in a pub with Family, he never gave it back, I really miss it, cost me £8.

[@felekski]

Sounds awesome! Great player, great guitar!

[@BruceHamiltonmusic]

Got a left handed version of this with no knobs and a larger pickup in the soundhole, my favourite acoustic!

[@santrixhimself3679]

eko guitars are all over europe. i have played many and they all have been kind of cool. mostly very nice necks and mostly bolt on. i personally dont mind the bolt on. looking forward to maybe see an old framus acoustic on the show ;)

[@localguy8]

I love the pick guard kids looks like a epifone . Lemmo thanks for playing in the Acoustic Room then going out to play. Seeing you keep looking at the desk I would like to suggest a red light sign like a recording studio. I laughed when you announced vol up ⬆️ haha good playing.

[@drummerhammar]

It's pronounced Eeeeko! Tangerine, such a beautiful song!

[@barlobarlo303]

I look forward every evening to see what interesting guitar Michael will demonstrate. I've been playing for many years, but always learn something from watching Mr. Lemmo. What would be really great is if you could put in the comments, what songs Michael is playing or if it's just Lemmo-noodling. Sometimes I know the sound but can't think of the song; other times it's just some great guitar lick that I wonder where it came from. In any case, fantastic guitar playing and camera work. Many thanks.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

this was my second guitar when i started playing back in the 70's, (just acoustic though) my first was a framus texan (£26) but i used to carry the eko over my shoulder pretty much everywhere i went.

[@theverseshed]

Just found one of these with the original factory-fitted electro in my local, small music shop. Enough dust and 'toneballs' inside to be worth franchising to Dyson for them to demonstrate their vacuum! Very few problems - a minor split in soundboard just behind saddle which should be easily solved with a thin cleat underneath when I restring, plus maybe some thin SG suctioned into the gap. Very unusual (?) use of what seem to be three rivets holding the saddle in place . . . same as in this guitar at Norman's. Unexpectedly, when bought, the guitar was tuned to standard which is OK for many modern 12's but I've always detuned my 12's (especially early ones) by a half or full tone and not strung quite as heavy as the on the one I've just bought. This was very much a nostalgia buy for me as an Eko Ranger was either the first or 2nd 12 I ever bought back in the very early 70's. Just as heavy as I remember it being (7¼lbs / 3.3kg) which is the same as my Squier Strat and Tele! Still got the essential jangle that any 12 should have. Very chuffed to have found this instrument.

[@ericbgordon1575]

It is so rare for a 12-string to be featured during Guitar of the Day.

[@alxra]

Lemmo really gets the best sound out of these 12-strings. Could anyone be so kind as to provide a playlist from this GOTD? Especially that first tune.

[@musicfan8253]

“Tangerine” Led Zeppelin

[@janattaaya]

And... anyone know what the last one is?

[@samadams1076]

Thanks ML, who doesn’t love a 12 string?

[@dgallax]

These same guitars were imported into Australia and sold under the "Eston" label ..... I have a non-pickup version from the early '70s. Great sound for an all-laminate guitar that's built like a tank (which is probably why so many have survived !)

[@Resg76]

I have an Eston branded 12 with pickup from 1974 ! From a hock shop in Parramatta over 20 years ago !

[@rockturtleneck]

Great guitar and demo as always. Tangerine is the Stairway to Heaven of 12=string demo tunes.

[@dezionlion]

?

[@joermnyc]

Crazy seeing a neck plate on an acoustic!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It sounds a bit like a Rickenbacker 12 String Electric when you use the Pickup so it's a nice sound.

[@Markcello]

More Eko guitars please!!!

[@TheWideBoy]

I really like that chord progression and would like to use it in a song. Is it already a song?

[@ms.capricorn4540]

Nice guitar, great music.

[@RonnKilby]

It would be nice to hear this played by someone who typically plays 12-string (I've played 12-string since 1965) instead of all that funky strumming, some flat picking and finger style. The first 12 I played was an Eko. It was pretty crappy sounding but I didn't know. When I could afford it i bought a new Guild F-112 in 1970 which my son now plays. I play Taylors (LKSM-12 and 456ce) and such a world of difference in richness, balance and playability. But it was nice to see one of these revisited. Rock on.

[@howard5508]

Thank you Michael and Jen for another great GOTD .Never heard of an EKO before. You guys are awesome.

[@Kivencito]

Whats the song at 4:45? Thanks.

[@nilsmartinhaugfos7521]

Did you find out?

[@world_of_max.g]

A beautiful guitar, excellently played, as always by Michael! I find it interesting that all those EKO acoustics had an additional zero-fret, rather like the British-made Shergold guitars of the '70s!

[@blowingbubbles9731]

That had me dancing like nobody was watching Wow🔥🤡🔥

[@EddieZep]

I have a 1974 Eko Ranger electra XII strings amazing guitar

[@ratwynd]

I have a 12 string Framus Texan from Germany of the same period. Bolt on neck made it playable after 50+ years with a little work. This Eko sounds better than my Framus, which has a bit of a thin voice acoustically. Likely lot more expensive, like the Fender 12 I lusted for back then. No pickup on mine but I have an old Bill Lawrence clip-in sound hole pup that makes it sound great. It is a nostalgia piece even though 100% playable and hanging on the wall and she gets attention once in a while. I have much better 12's today though, so not often. I keep it tuned to D to spare the neck/body joint, had to do a reset when I got it. As a kid in the 1960s a Framus like this was my first guitar, the best I could get for a whole summers work savings washing dishes bought it for $75. It would be kool if you pulled one of them out one day.

[@HeavyMetal95]

Douglas Meakin from the music group in Italy Superobots/Rocking Horse played the 12 string Eko guitar when he played it for the recording on the song such as Candy Candy italian theme song as well as Italian theme songs for Italian dubs of Anime in the 80s

[@w13rdguy]

Can't imagine buying an acoustic with a glued neck. Especially if they sound like this!

[@michaellaverty1844]

That is one cool 12 string Michael and Jenn. Yes, I have seen a reply to my comments to reach out by Telegram. I thought it was a scam. That’s for the heads up. Hope Norm is getting stronger everyday🙏🏻.

[@freshwaterfishingsc8990]

What’s the first song he’s playing on the couch? Anyone know??

[@shigatyshwaw3525]

Pinging for attention. Please tell us!

[@freshwaterfishingsc8990]

@@shigatyshwaw3525 did you ever find it I’m dying to know

[@danielbevan9024]

Would love to know too. I cannot get my guitar to sound like this.

[@strikeouttwo7295]

Tangerine, Tangerine, lalalalalala

[@BrianWMay]

My first 12 string was one of these bought in 1968 - the heaviest 12 I've ever played. And the thickest varnish. Mine wasn't electric (thank God). It didn't come with a case.

[@ampedwales]

I've played all kinds of acoustic guitars over the years, but there's something about the Eko ones. I have the 6 string version of this, and it sounds very sweet. Love the tonality of the pickup in mine, which is a slightly different version.

[@tompoynton]

My very first guitar was the Ranger 6, given to me by John Ashton from the Psychedelic Furs when I was a kid in the 80s… although I didn’t start learning until the mid 90s. Hasn’t been played in a while though, needs a full setup

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

YEAH PAGE USED ONE EARLY ON MY YOUNGER BROTHER AND I HAD THE EKO 12st RANGER NON ELECTRIC IN 68 IT PLAYED WELL AND SOUNDED LUSH NORM FACE TIMED US YESTERDAY AND IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM HIM AGAIN HE LOOKED AND SOUNDED GOOD CARLOS GUITARLOS 90042 USA

[@RiotBadger]

I have a Ranger 6E. Used to have a Vox XII which is essentially this guitar rebadged.

[@NinerFourWhiskey]

The 6-string EKO was used by Jimmy Page on Ramble On. It has that weird kind of "clicky" sound. They made them for Vox and others.

[@markbutcher4100]

Back in the day in the uk these heavy plywood boxes were… really good because they were playable. The bolt on neck and solid construction gave them an action low enough to use even if the intonation was dodgy. Most of the guitars around then were first position only. Martins and Gibson were only for dreaming. If you stripped the gloup varnish off the top and lost the pickguard they even sounded ok!

[@jaybarrslino9729]

Many it's my ears

[@stkbkr1]

Lemmo Rocks!!!

[@johnmathewson9313]

I got my hands on one of these. What's the value?

[@andresalmiron5520]

Great but what is the tunnig? 440? mm..

[@michaelbeck8841]

Had one in 83 got stolen along with a wood grain 62strat with custom abalone inlay telecaster neck and a twin reverb amp .

[@SamSveistrup]

I got God Save the Queen in all triads today on the same strings 345 maj7 triad

[@fredlyons4538]

The pickup is directly screwed into the neck, I believe it gives a better roundness of sound

[@SamSveistrup]

I love some amplified 12 strings

[@johnfox2727]

I have one of these thay was passed on to me from my father ... only in Aus some were branded under the name Eston

[@Resg76]

Mines an Eston as well - 12 string and pickup

[@maxwellfan55]

Funny. All these years we've been led to believe laminate guitars are crap but I recently bought a Sigma J200 and man it's beautiful. This EKO ain't no slouch either. J160s's also ok for the Beatles (Hard Day's Night), yea they're a little compressed but sometimes you want that vibe without the sparkle and overtones.

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Ah, yes, the Poll guitar :) Greek folk band Poll used this guitar a lot, with its bouzouki-like timbres :)

[@jfinester]

Eko made most of the Vox guitars that were sold in the United States during the ‘60s. If your Vox guitar has “Made in Italy by Vox” on the back of the headstock, it was made by Eko. I had an Italian Vox Phantom XII in 1966-‘67. Not an awful guitar as 12-strings go, but it had weak pickups, and a vibrato tailpiece that pretty much guaranteed that you were never in tune. For what I paid for it, I could have had a Fender Electric XII (a much better guitar) or a Rickenbacker 450-12, but I couldn’t find a dealer who had either in stock. In those pre-internet days, if you found something close to what you wanted and you had the money, you bought it, because you never knew when you’d find another one!

[@andrewgalloway7344]

i have that guitar ...heaviest, quietest lump of heavy wood ever assembled ...cool as though... detune to D ... it helps eh ?

[@SimonCorlett-k8r]

I bought it in 1967. The serial number on the backplate is 411065. This might give you an indication of date. ( i.e before or after. )

[@hamsterdangler]

Just remembered I bought an Eko 12 string blonde double cutaway semi acoustic, ES335 shape but slightly smaller in about 1965, cost £40, I wonder what it would be worth now, I have fat fingers and I removed 6 strings to give me a wider fingerboard. Should never have sold it!

[@hamsterdangler]

Cannot find any photo's or info about that guitar anywhere on the internet, but it was definitely Eko 12 string double cutaway electric in blonde. I suppose that must mean it was rare.

[@StevesSlideandJazz]

Its really hard to just tune a 12 string! Good job Michael. I have a 1968 Epiphone 12. Nice but a bit*h to tune.

[@joermnyc]

Colin Hay (from Men at Work) did a live set at Town Hall here in New York about 9 or 10 years ago, and he joked, “12 strings were great back in the day, we’d smoke some weed then just spend hours trying to tune ‘em.”

[@mattrogers1946]

Not if it's set up correctly and you own a guitar tuner...

[@StevesSlideandJazz]

@@mattrogers1946 it is but my ears are crap now. I’m 68

[@mattrogers1946]

@@StevesSlideandJazz A headstock tuner is your friend.

[@dougelmore9035]

Cool pick guard

[@Trev0r98]

Cool everything!

[@deinemuttiband]

💯

[@paulmassey4796]

Also Made With VOX On the Headstock With BURLED MAHOGANY Heaviest Acoustic EVER Pauly Roadie MICHAEL ALLMAN!

[@c.harley_17]

Lol was that Brandon in the background😂

[@YuxinZhou13]

6:18 ~

[@Madakalim]

Play Gallows Pole

[@ClydeBuilt]

Very sought after guitars. I have a couple of six strings from the same factory. One is an Eros and the other is branded Melody. The Melody has a metal bridge and the neck is like a baseball bat, it's so wide....

[@strikeouttwo7295]

En este episodio,una EKO de 12 cuerdas,del año de la pera.

[@majortwang]

🎯

[@strikeouttwo7295]

Eko, EKO

[@bigtguitars7312]

Play Stairway

[@toddenicol9080]

The only guy that can make it sell. Good luck. Firewood value. Is it a mariachi guitar? Haha. Good job you guys.

[@GrumpyOldGit60]

Those Eko Rangers were built with big wood... all the ones I've ever played weighed a ton! Rather dull sounding acoustically as a result, IMO.

[@larryburrough3024]

Just how hard is it to tune a 12 strings. I’m 71 and I am a target for scams. The wood on that Eco is outrageous. That has Jimmy Page written all over it and Michael can bring that out, no problem.

[@w13rdguy]

There's no gear giveaway, it's a scam.

[@adamibrahimdemirci2588]

Quite funny watching you play it acoustic between the shelves - you're visibly being sucked in by the instrument..

[@terrytickler]

Lush worth about 150 in the. Uj

[@staff8518]

Sounds tinny - not a favorite

[@Winterfell1066]

really a pretty crappy sounding 12 string. sort of cool vintage vibe.... that is it. unless you just want lo-fi

[@joebodynobody764]

I bought a reissue if a Ranger 6. Trash. Complete crap. Find an original.

[@SimonCorlett-k8r]

I have a 1967 Eko Ranger 12 string, which has been used for many different types of music. I have to say that your choice of music to play does NOT suit the instrument.

[@robertnicol3032]

How did you work out the year of it? I have one and no clue what year it is!

[@suzannecoholic1467]

lots of scamming and yt site hacking going on