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.
Http://hughesguitar.sq...
Www. theguitarguy

[@TheDefJamm]

I have the sunburst Ranchero 6 that you mention in this video.
My mother got it for her 18th birthday and she’s now 73! 1969.
Since she doesn’t play, it’s been given to me. It’s also the guitar I learnt my first chords on as a kid.

[@ThomasBolam]

I am working on my EKO Ranger 6,this video has been a help👌

[@fredlyons4538]

I have one from 64, it’s my favorite guitar

[@jeffn1384]

Don't you just pack the neck out instead of mucking about with the bridge? When i did mine i made paper shims and placed in the neck joint.

[@KennyPerkins-f5g]

I own the early 60’s ranger with the longitudinal cracks in the varnish. I haven’t been able to find much information on it, besides a caveat in an article about the ranger 6. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[@poshbit]

I have a eko ranger 6 bought in 1972,is it worth anything?

[@jackmchammocklashing224]

I have a mint EKO RANGER 12 In solid travel case bought brand new in 1970 They offer me $100 NO SALE

[@Welinwms]

👊🇧🇷

[@bbbrown3408]

rare ?