The Eko Ranger was a very well known acoustic guitar, selling in huge numbers under several different brand names from the late 1960s and through the 1970s. There were several variants: six string, and twelve string jumbos, electric-acoustics, and, as seen here, a slightly smaller bodied, all-acoustic, 'folk' model. The body was slightly narrower (15 1/4" vs 16 1/2" for the standard Ranger), but also an inch shallower (3 3/4" vs 4 3/4"). Even without a tape measure, this guitar is easily differentiated from other Ranger variants by it's narrower waist.
Eko guitars were manufactured in Recanati, Italy, but in the United Kingdom, Eko were distributed by Rose Morris, who sold the Ranger Folk as model 1781, with a 1973 price of £29.13. Not an expensive guitar, but neither their cheapest.
Whilst the guitar's top is spruce (laminate), the back is mahogany, typically two-piece bookmatched as shown above. As can be seen above, the neck was a bolt-on - perhaps a little unusual for an acoustic, but great for an easy set up and a nice low action. The polyester finish is somewhat prone to cracks (see image below), and the guitar can often look in a worse state than it is. These are pretty durable guitars.
With it's small body size, the Ranger Folk is not a loud guitar, but neither is it unwieldy - in fact it's the perfect guitar for a bit of sofa strumming! These guitars (Eko Ranger series in general) were made in such large numbers that they are readily available on the used market, and can be had for very fair prices. Shop around for an exceptional bargain!
The cracks on the front and sides are merely finish deep, and are quite common on these and other vintage Eko guitars. Note the scratchplate shape - the Ranger Folk has a simpler-shaped scratchplate than the larger Ranger six and twelve strings.
The soundhole label has a space for model designation, though this is blank in this instance. the text reads (translated from Italian) "Original Eko guitar built in Recanati (Italy) by the best violin makers and with carefully selected tone woods"
Eko guitars typically had their truss rod adjustment at the headstock end of the headstock, covered by a bell-shaped cover, held in place with three screws. Note also the nut and zero fret.
Rosewood fretboard detail with bone dot inlays.
Laminate maple neck pocket. The neck attaches to the body with four 3 1/4" slot-head bolts, in a trapezoid pattern. Some of the internal bracing can also be seen in this image.
The neck has brown finish on much of it, though the five ply mahogany / maple construction can be seen on the heel (and the headstock).
In short, the Eko Ranger series of guitars are nice, affordable vintage guitars; well made, with good availability (especially online). Examples with a couple of missing /replaced parts (so easily fixable) can sell at very low prices indeed. There are certainly bargains to be had!
$995
$650
$695
$325
$400
$300
$145
$800
€599
€100
£295
€60
£250
£175
£220
£225
£240
£200