Eko 400 a.k.a. Ekomaster

Eko 400 a.k.a. Ekomaster

Eko's first solid body electric. This model made history. It triggered Castelfidardo's accordion district conversion to guitar manufacturing. In terms of cosmetics and finishing techniques it set the Italian standards for the 60's first half.

With its offset waist design it was also the first guitar that took inspiration from the Fender Jazzmaster, thus starting a trend that went on till the end of the decade, especially in continental Europe but also in Japan and among American minor makers. This Eko is arguably one of the most influential guitar ever.

Despite its historical relevance very little is known about this series. Most reputable guitar scholars simply ignore it. I have never seen it mentioned in any catalog or ad (if you know were to find some let me know ASAP, thanks!). Where and when was it made? No one seems to know. Even the name of the series has long remained a mystery! The actual name was Model 400, but most collectors use to call it the 'Ekomaster', a denomination that in fact was applied to a specific vibrato assembly used only at the end of the series, not only for this series (it also shows up with early 500 and 700 models), and only to a minority of instruments.

The Model 400 was mainly built in 1961. I think production started while Eko still was housed in Castelfidardo; perhaps it continued after the distribution agreement signed with LoDuca and the subsequent relocation in Recanati. In my opinion the series was launched in Autumn 1960 and the last ones were assembled in early 1962, at the time the 500 and 700 were being introduced. At any rate its manufacturing life cannot have exceeded eighteen months. In this short lapse of time five generations were issued (here are mentioned only the features that were subject to change):

. 1 - Asymmetrical headstock with 3+3 tuners, floating metal bridge, pickups are covered with a layer of celluloid matching body top finish (late 1960?).

. 2 - Fender.ish headstock with six-in-line machineheads (early 1961?).

. 3 - New pickups with black plastic top and visible polepieces (mid-1961?).

. 4 - New fixed bridge with individual string intonation adjustment. An Ekomaster vibrato begins to appear (late 1961?).

. 5 - Number of frets (zero-fret not included) is reduced from 22 to 21. Nearly all of those late 400 guitars are fitted with an Ekomaster (early 1962?).

Besides the Jazzmaster general styling, the Eko 400 shows obvious similarities with the Hagström Standard and DeLuxe series (1958-1961), as well as with contemporaneous Höfner models.