Eko changed the specifications of their new Model 500 electric guitar just months after its 1961 debut, then again before the end of 1962. This late 1962 or early ’63 model is the most desirable version, with the better pickups and more robust build quality.
Jazzmaster
Featuring a body shape that had at the very least seen a photograph of Fender’s Jazzmaster, the 500 series came in one, two, three and four pickup variations, with production lasting through to around 1965.
Extra sustain and twang
Available in tremolo or non-trem versions, trust us when we say that the missing tremolo arm here is actually a bonus. Seen as the weak link in the 500 models, most players simply discarded the arm and took advantage of the extra sustain and twang provided by the extant tremolo hardware.
Italian push-button switching
Featuring the much-loved Eko ‘propeller’ fingerboard inlays, zero fret, 25” scale, ‘space bridge’, balanced Alnico 5 single-coil pickups and cool Italian push-button switching, the Model 500 saw no reason to stop at mere functionality, going on to add full fingerboard and headstock binding, plus a series of Euro color-schemes that stood out from everything else on offer in music stores all around the world.
Striped Brown, Blue Sparkle, Red Sparkle
Hazel, Silver Sparkle, White Motherpearl, (sic), Striped Brown, Blue Sparkle, Red Sparkle, and our example here in Gold Sparkle. And those were just the tops! The backs also came in a variety of finishes, from regular Mahogany and Black, to striped, sparkle and the dazzling white ‘basket-weave’ that complements our Gold Sparkle model. Front and back composites are joined by the gold & tortoiseshell band running around the outside, (shown in pic # 5).
Enormous fun
Of course, the guitars could look as drop-dead-gorgeous as Eko wanted, but they had to have a sound to match, and, boy, do these guitars sound great! Every single person here who’s plugged this guitar in is in unanimous agreement that the Model 500 is “enormous fun!” Click on our soundfile and join our Model 500 party.
Full Guitar
If you’re wondering about the pickup switching, (pic # 6), left to right the buttons are: neck & bridge, neck, bridge and kill. Or in Eko catalogue-speak, “Full Guitar”, Jazz, Twang and Off.
Free courier delivery
The only thing this guitar needed was a new input jack, (the original will be included), and she was good as new! There’s no truss-rod cover, which is not an issue, but we could cut a facsimile if required. Your fab Eko Model 500 will arrive in a nice, padded gig bag, and, as with all instruments from Just Guitars, FREE COURIER DELIVERY is included to any address in Australia. ($100 airfreight to New Zealand, $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries)
Weight: 7lb 6½oz / 3.36kg
Just Guitars
