EKO anyone?

[BatUtilityBelt]

I know they're not sold in the US, but every now and then some sneak over the borders. They're cheap Chinese made guitars (now), but that doesn't make them bad. I've seen some decent players with them, so I've always wondered whether I'd like one. This goldtop P90 version catches my eye every time I see one. As luck would have it, one showed up on the GC Used site, but incredibly overpriced. Prices vary a lot, but a used one in Europe appears to be under $200 (US dollars), not the ridiculous $750 GC in Orange, CT is trying to get. So I'd like to get your opinion on them if you've played one of the MIC VL480 models.

For reference, here's GC's way overpriced $750 listing...
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/EKO/V ... -Guitar.gc
And here's a shop in Italy selling the same model used for $187.82...
https://reverb.com/item/85957954-eko-v- ... ed-mancina
And here's a different shop in Italy selling a brand new one for $202...
https://reverb.com/item/74412581-eko-vl ... e-les-paul
Before anyone asks, I did reach out via email to the GC in Orange, CT about the price problem, and got no response. Thanks for any useful hints.

[sabasgr68]

First time I hear about that brand.

Is it the same Eko established in 1959?

There´s one Eko guitar here for sale, similar to a Jaguar; seller says it's from 1962 or 1963. He's asking $325. In the back of the headstock says "Made in Italy".

There's another one, SG shape, for $150, also says "Made in Italy". This one doesn't say what year it is. looks old and rather ugly if you ask me.

Logos look very similar, but I don't know if they are the same Eko brand you're making this post about.

There's also an Eko classical style guitar, new, for $170.

Like I said, first time I hear about that name.

[BatUtilityBelt]

First time I hear about that brand.

Is it the same Eko established in 1959?

Same company, with probably different management.

There´s one Eko guitar here for sale, similar to a Jaguar; seller says it's from 1962 or 1963. He's asking $325. In the back of the headstock says "Made in Italy".

There's another one, SG shape, for $150, also says "Made in Italy". This one doesn't say what year it is. looks old and rather ugly if you ask me.

Logos look very similar, but I don't know if they are the same Eko brand you're making this post about.

I would bet the old models made in Italy were better.

[tonebender]

When I was in the US Navy we would visit Italy. There was a guy named Luigi that had some kind of deal with the ship. When we pulled in he would bring all is wares onto the ship, set up on the mess deck and sell his products, everything from toiletries to musical instruments. One of the things he had was Eko acoustic guitars. I purchased an Eko acoustic electric from him. It was an excellent guitar. I played the hell out of it. That was when I was learning. The guitar was quite nice but when I got short and was getting out I sold it to a shipmate just to pass it along. The LP copy actually looks gold instead of mustard like most imports.