Eko Ranger 12 string

I've just bought an early 80's Eko ranger 12 string kinda by accident on eBay, well I put one bid in, expecting other bids and I ended up getting it. Now I know they are not Martins/Taylors or anywhere near, but at about £130 with postage have I done alright?
I own a Martin, so I know an Eko is not in the same league, but just wanted people's thoughts?
They are built like tanks I hear,but do people have experience of the 1980's models?
I've always wanted a 12 string.
Thanks in advance folks.

An older one, though no Martin or Guild, should be quite servicable...actually probably built somewhat heavy like a Guild. the old Voxes were EKO's.

I was very disappointed with the newer ones I saw recently at a guitar show, quite terrible fit and finish. For a good Chinese-built, look to a Guild "GAD."

Thanks Bill, will post some pictures and a low down when it arrives, hope it stays in tune!!

Through the '70s these were very much "the" 12 string. Many used by pro bands as the rhythm guitar. Only ever got to try one, and it was very playable, good sound.

I imagine you've got yourself a pretty good guitar at a fair price. Hope it turns out well.

I had one for some years. Heavy, as others have said, but the construction (and the large heel block inside the guitar) kept the neck very stable. With a set of strings for 6-string on it it was not very resonant (the top is pretty thick, right?). So, really best as it was intended: 12 strings. I would not mind owning one now!

Greg

I think you did OK.

My bother had a 6 string version, he bought new from Kays Catologue in the 1970's.

Just recently, he managed to snap the neck off, putting it down, when it fell off its stand after playing. Doh!

The 12 arrived today, it took an age to tune, but once tuned it's great. Harder to play than a 6 and nowhere near the tone of a higher end guitar, but it rings and sings with open chords. Intonation is pretty good, action is a little high up the neck, may need to look at that.
Here's a few pics, I've added a scratch plate, not the proper bat wing Eko one, but I can't find them online.
I am now Jimmy Page circa 73!!

Cool guitar, I hope you're a lefty!. There are no bad sounding 12 strings IMO just some better than others. Sure looks in good shape. What $ did you get it for?

Edit. I guess being LondonLefty, you're a lefty.... DOH!

Ahhh, those were imported by the Lo Duca Bros.

I have played a bunch. They were built like tanks. I actually prefer the Rangers from the later 1970s and early 1980s to the earlier ones. They always seem to sound better to me than the older ones.

You might check with Terrapin guitars if you want a replacement pickguard. They recently made me one for a 1950s Epiphone flattop that was spot on perfect.

Very Cool Guitar

I've just found a 1973 Eko Ranger 12 Electra at a friends house.

Can anyone maybe help with the value of this guitar?

Bridge is cracked and the pickguard is gone but other than that its perfect!

Thanks!

Here is the original:
http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/eko/catalogues/73/13.html

Nice guitars those. I used to play one a friend of mine bought in the late 70's and loved it.

With no good sense like many 15 year old guys, I bought an EKO 12, trading in a Silvertone with a Bigsby... sheesh. That was in 1963. I learned to drop the strings down to a modified Drop D> Go to C for the bottom... use heavier strings to start. The info came from a Vinyl ~Learn to Play 12 string~ Pete Seeger record. My goal was to learn some Leadbelly running bass. I did eventually. I liked it with a capo at the 4th too.

Returning from Grad School years later the load in the trailer shifted. I opened the case and the thing was kindling. Hello nightmare. Years ago, but fond memories of the old Eko 12 and me doing Byrds licks to impress young beautiful women.

Keep it and enjoy it.

Papalion, the only reason most of us learned to play was to impress the ladies!!
Re how much are they worth, I think in good condition they are only worth $100 - 200. I paid £110 for mine and as i've always wanted a 12 I was happy with that.
Jimmy Page used to play an Eko 12 on stage in 72/73 period Zep.

I do not have a good handle on value for those. I would pay about $150-200, yea that sounds about right. Mine had a built in pu just at the base of the neck in the sound hole.

Well if Jimmy Page had one he had good taste. This is ironic, later I replaced the lost Eko with a Guild 12 Jumbo F212X I think? ... mine is RH. same one Jimmy Hendrix had in lefty. Again, glad he could see those are a great guitar.

I know this is a year later, but in case you never got a pickguard -

There is a company called Terrapin Guitars that makes the pickguard. I have attached the PDF file from their website. I have an EKO 12 that also was missing the pickguard, and I got mine from them. Good Luck!