NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

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antisymmetric
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NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by antisymmetric » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:50 am

Just scored myself this- one owner, the lady who sold it to me bought it when she was a teenager. She's had neck surgery and this thing is too heavy for her now, plus she wanted to go electric, so she got herself a nice new Ovation with a piezo and let this one go.
I don't know too much about acoustics, and I know these were not high-end guitars, but to me it has a lovely tone. A slight tweak to the truss rod, and it's a great player too. And a bargain- $180. It sat for weeks- no bites, and the price kept dropping to the point that there was simply no choice. :whistle:
Check out the veneer in the back and sides (pics don't do justice):
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by dnv » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:58 am

congratulations! it looks just my dad's ranger. they're really nice guitars and can be found for very little money.

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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:17 am

Welcome to the club!

Was this bought in '68 then? It looks like it's in great condition.
The laquer is often very cracked on oldies like these.
Any sign of a white logo on the pickguard? I've never seen a 60's Ranger with one in tact.
Also, does it have the black star bridge pins. Nothing special & pretty cheap looking but a nice touch nonetheless.
I think one of the best things aesthetically about these guitars is the rosette. Kind of Mexican-looking.

I totally agree about the veneer. These babies are beautiful. I'm sure once it's set up you love it!!
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by shadowplay » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:39 am

Cool my daughter has the Vox badged one of these, it sounds great and only cost a ton or so. I'll take a picture later because I am banned from her room when shes not in. :D

D
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by antisymmetric » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:58 am

dnv wrote:congratulations! it looks just my dad's ranger. they're really nice guitars and can be found for very little money.
Thanks!
PorkyPrimeCut wrote: Was this bought in '68 then? It looks like it's in great condition.
The laquer is often very cracked on oldies like these.
Any sign of a white logo on the pickguard? I've never seen a 60's Ranger with one in tact.
Also, does it have the black star bridge pins. Nothing special & pretty cheap looking but a nice touch nonetheless.
Yes, the seller figured it had to have been '68. The lacquer is in very good shape over 99% of the guitar. I can't see even a trace of a pickguard logo. It still has 3 of the star bridge pins fitted and 3 plain, the other 3 star pins came in a bag (which I now can't find :squint: ). I guess the plain ones are oversize replacements, I should have asked about that.
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by antisymmetric » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:01 am

shadowplay wrote:Cool my daughter has the Vox badged one of these, it sounds great and only cost a ton or so. I'll take a picture later because I am banned from her room when shes not in.

D

:D
Yes please, pix would be good, I haven't seen a Vox version.
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by gishuk » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:16 am

i have one of these from the early 70s. really great sounding guitar. think it cost me £90, amazing bargain.

its kinda funny these have everything you dont want in an acoustic (bolt on, thick finish, heavy build, adjustable bridge), but it works somehow

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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by BoringPostcards » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:16 pm

I have one as well. Got it for 6 cigarettes and 3 dollars from a traveler kid. You know the type. Train hopper crust punk.
I love this guitar and it's my main acoustic. It's in Winnipeg however and I'm not. A friend is keeping it safe for me until I move back up there.
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by dezb1 » Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:44 pm

Snap... here's my latest acquisition:

There’s a slightly long winded story to me buying this guitar. I’m not a fan of acoustic guitars generally; however one of my friend’s father has a 196? Eko ranger 6 (bolt on neck heavy as a planet) and one day back in the mists of time I was given a loan of said guitar for a night and it has spoiled my view of all other acoustic guitar since. I’ve never found one I like as much (and I’ve tried hundreds) so I never bought myself a "good" acoustic. Then last month I got another loan of said Ranger 6 and decided I had to get one and after a month of trying to find a good one here it is... (why didn’t I do this years ago????)

Image
Image
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These pics are from the auction I’ll post some better ones tomorrow

I can’t recommend these guitars highly enough... now that you won’t be going after the same one I want.

Beautiful sounding vintage guitars that don’t cost as much as a house.
Last edited by dezb1 on Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by antisymmetric » Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:19 am

That's great, yours looks like a later one. Amazing how much love there is for these things!
gishuk wrote:its kinda funny these have everything you dont want in an acoustic (bolt on, thick finish, heavy build, adjustable bridge), but it works somehow
Exactly. Maybe the heavier the construction, the less it matters how much finish they load on?
ZenJenga wrote: I love this guitar and it's my main acoustic. It's in Winnipeg however and I'm not. A friend is keeping it safe for me until I move back up there.
The seasonal changes in Winnipeg must be punishing for guitars- I guess everyone stores their guitars pretty carefully?
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:56 am

It might be worth posting this again. A comparison I did a while back when I had 3 in my flat....
Image
My friends EKO J54 & my two EKO's - 1973 & an 1982.

Of course there's always this webpage too.
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by dezb1 » Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:40 am

PorkyPrimeCut wrote:It might be worth posting this again. A comparison I did a while back when I had 3 in my flat....
Image
My friends EKO J54 & my two EKO's - 1973 & an 1982.

Of course there's always this webpage too.

judging from this pic my mate's dads is a 1970's model not a 60's... still a great guitar!

Ps: mine has 3 bridge screws does that make it an 83 rather than 82?

oh and i thought you fierplace was a giant bass speaker...

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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:28 am

dezb1 wrote: judging from this pic my mate's dads is a 1970's model not a 60's... still a great guitar!

Ps: mine has 3 bridge screws does that make it an 83 rather than 82?

oh and i thought you fierplace was a giant bass speaker...
I think yours is an '82. On this page, top right.

Funnily enough, I've found from looking back at the FetishGuitar pages that my tobacco burst one is an '83, not an '82.

That fireplace would've made a great bass speaker. I moved out of that place 18 months ago.
Last edited by PorkyPrimeCut on Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by TapeTrip » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:15 am

That last picture makes it look like it's made out of furry stuff.

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Re: NGD Eko Ranger 1968 (or thereabouts)

Post by antisymmetric » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:35 am

PorkyPrimeCut wrote: Image
Thanks for posting this. This would make mine a '70s, casting a bit of doubt on the memory of the seller!
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