Restoring a rare model Italian Eko acoustic guitar

Today's little beauty is an early 70s Eko Folk model acoustic guitar.

These things were built like tanks with bolt on necks and super thick lacquer. But there's just something about them that makes them play and sound great.

The more popular Eko Ranger has a very healthy following with lots of guitars on the market. Played by legends such as Paul McCartney and Bob Marley, Eko acoustics have earned themselves a great reputation.

The folk model had two versions, the Ranchero which featured a white pickguard, white binding and sunburst finish. Then there was the traditional folk model, clear tinted lacquer, black binding and black pickguard. Sporting a smaller size body, it's a poor persons 00018 ish.

What makes this particular model even more unusual is the tiger maple on the back. My belief is that the back and sides are a laminated maple, with a maple neck and laminated spruce top.

Where these guitars excel though is not in their pure acoustic tone, which is warm and bluesy. It's when you stick a pickup in them. Maybe it's the ladder style bracing or the thickness of the body but they sound amazing with a pickup.

This particular guitar is typical of old, unaltered Ekos. The action is high thanks to a skyscraper of a bridge. There are also a few nicks and dings from over the years. The body is fairly flat thanks to the solid bridge, thick pickguard and thick lacquer. On the whole it's in great condition.

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