Eko Model 700.

Here’s another beauty from the recent trip to Denmark St in London, hanging on the walls of Hanks Guitar Store.

1960’s Eko 285.

We’re not normally easily impressed by size but would you just look at the length of that vibrato?!?!

70’s Eko Ranger VI.

GP was overjoyed to find this little beauty under the Xmas tree this year as a present from Mrs GP. Rescued from a junk shop and in need of a few bits of vital maintenance, she still sounds lovely and has already been the centre of attention, providing the accompaniment to some Pink Floyd, Dusty Springfield and, erm, ‘Bring On The Men’ from the musical Jekyll and Hyde.

(You guys know how it is, you play what you’re asked to play…)

Handbuilt Tele, Fender Jaguar and Modded Eko SG.

This fantastic arsenal was sent in by Thearcreactorofawesome, who says “A lot of instruments and a lot of stories here but I’ll tell you about the three electric guitars.

So, from left to right; The Telecaster is my first guitar and I built it myself in 2010 when I was just 15. The body is one piece maple which I have worked without a router using just a jigsaw and various sanding methods. The neck is bought as unfinished and it is also entirely maple. The Tele has Kent Armstrong pickups and Kluson tuners. It’s surprisingly good sounding considering the maker and materials, so I not only learned to play with it but I have actually played it in band practise and in every possible school event, I even prefer it over many Fender Mexican Telecasters.

The second guitar is a 2012 Fender Jaguar Classic Player which I aquired while I was participating a summer exhange program in Colorado this year. I had dreamt of a candy Apple Red Jaguar ever since I saw one in a store at the age of ten. When I saw this one at a local store In Boulder CO, I tried it a couple of times on different days and after asking them to fix its electronics (Only the rythm circuit worked even though it was a new guitar straight from the factory) and doing a bit of bargaining I finally bought it for 758 dollars tax incl. meaning I saved 300+€ on the price in Finland. The Jaguar is a killer guitar. It is just like it was meant for my skinny hands and it has all the tonal qualities I could wish for. It’s a very versatile instrument so I’m going to do some recording and gigging with it. And also, what could be a better reminder of an awesome trip than an awesome guitar.

The last guitar is an SG inspired Italian-made EKO Indy from the seventies. I got it from my godfather who passed away slightly after giving it to me. It was his first electric guitar and he had modified it over time to meet his tastes. That’s why it has a weirdo Nintendo-ish looking Dimarzio humbucker in the bridge position. The fake Bigsby is a stock unit on the guitar and it missed a spring, which I then made from a long doorspring. The guitar has needed a lot of other repairs too, due to it’s poorly soldered electronics and splintered jack hole sides which had to be glued again. It’s not a very good sounding instrument, but it has the sort of “Black Keys vibe” to it. It also reminds me to preserve the family tradition of playing.”

Now that is a severely nice little selection, and well done on the handbuilt Tele as well, it looks awesome!

Eko/Melody 295.

Strangely reminiscent of a Rickenbacker, this beauty is labelled an Eko but is actually a Melody. The Italian manufacturer Melody had first appeared in 1961 but were owned by Eko from 1964 - 1972 and essentially just became a subsidiary, putting the Eko badge on what were previously their own guitars.