EKO Ekomaster 400 60s (Vintage)

In the 1960s, the Italian manufacturer Eko rose so rapidly in popularity that it became the largest guitar export brand in Europe. During the decade, the company launched eight of its own models on the market and also produced three guitars for US distribution under the well-known Vox label.

The first electric guitar model from Eko was the Eko 400 - often affectionately referred to as the "Ekomaster". Between its debut at the end of 1960 and the end of production in 1962, several variants were produced. Particularly striking: the Eko 400 was equipped with four expressive pickups whose sound was controlled via a series of distinctive push buttons on the top edge of the guitar. Directly underneath were two practical palm rollers - one for the volume, the other for the tone control.

The visual resemblance to the Fender Jazzmaster is hard to miss, and the unofficial nickname "Ekomaster" alludes to just that. In fact, the Eko 400 was one of the first Jazzmaster imitations of the early 60s and part of the emerging wave of extravagant offset guitars at the time.

Today, these idiosyncratic vintage treasures are difficult to date - the sparse documentation doesn't exactly make it easy for collectors. But this is precisely what gives these European exotics their special charm and makes them all the more desirable for many enthusiasts.