Back Catalog Memories: EKO Guitars

Vintage EKO Barracuda Electric Guitar & Bass (Set)

I’ve been running www.myrareguitars.com since about 1997. Before that I was doing it with pen and paper. Recently I discovered a file folder on my backup drive with TONS of photos containing just about every guitar I’d ever bought and sold over the years. Looking at these photos have stirred up some memories. Here is another story with some photos (to the best of my deteriorating memory) from the Back Catalog of myRareGuitars.

EKO Guitars

EKO Guitars started in Italy in 1959 by Oliviero Pigini. It soon became the largest guitar manufacturer in Europe producing a half million guitars a year. Although primarily distributed throughout Europe, some models found their way to North America in the 1960’s via Milwaukee’s LoDuca brothers. Many of these “budget” guitars were purchased by our parents as student guitars and found their way into the back of a closet. Over the years, with the help of EBAY, many have surfaced and found their way into my collection. Here are some highlights to share. Enjoy!

Vintage EKO Guitars Condor Electric Guitar

Vintage EKO Condor Electric Guitar

Vintage EKO Condor Electric Guitar (Red)

Vintage EKO Condor Electric Guitar (Red)

Vintage EKO 12-String Electric Guitar (Violin)

Vintage EKO 12-String Electric Guitar (Violin)

EKO 500 4V Woodgrain
The early 60’s were the best years for EKO Guitars after evolving from an accordion factory and bringing with it the unusual switches and finishes. This is a vinyl woodgrain. The 4V meant 4 pickups, 3V as 3, etc.+

Vintage EKO Guitars 500 4V Electric Guitar (Woodgrain)

Vintage EKO 500 4V Electric Guitar (Woodgrain)

EKO 700 4V
More from the early 60’s was this silver sparkle 700 4V. The 700 series was a very distinct design, odd cutaways. The switches were 1+2, 1+3, 2+3, 3+4, 1+4, etc. trying to give the player every possible combination.

Vintage EKO 700 4V Electric Guitar (White)

Vintage EKO 700 4V Electric Guitar (White)

EKO 500 1V
Here is a nice elegant design for a single pickup EKO Guitar. I really loved EKO use of vinyl coverings for the bodies (like the accordion days) and the interesting materials for pickguard.

EKO Club
Here is a rare EKO Guitars 6 string that seems to be modeled after the Hofner Club Series. It appears to be early/mid 1960’s based on the parts, but I’ve never seen another.

Vintage EKO Club Electric Guitar

Vintage EKO Club Electric Guitar

EKOMASTER Blue
Here is the Cadillac of the EKO sparkle days. Elaborate push button switches, rotary volume and tone controls. Set necks. Striped see through pickguard.

Vintage EKO Ekomaster Electric Guitar (Blue)

Vintage EKO Ekomaster Electric Guitar (Blue)

EKOMASTER GOLD
Here is the Cadillac of EKO Guitars sparkle days. Elaborate push button switches, rotary volume and tone controls. Set necks. Striped see through pickguard.

Vintage EKO Ekomaster Electric Guitar (Gold)

Vintage EKO Ekomaster Electric Guitar (Gold)

EKO Guitars Barracuba Bass and 6 string
Here is a pair of EKO Florentine (aka. barracuda) guitars. beautifully detailed pickguard match the redburst finish.

Vintage EKO Barracuda Electric Guitar & Bass (Set)

Vintage EKO Barracuda Electric Guitar & Bass (Set)