Whether or not Hagstrom guitars actually inspired the appearance of EKO guitars, Pigini found a willing and able American distributor in the LoDuca Brothers, who worked closely with the Italian supplier to develop models.
That accordion makers should cover their solid guitars with plastic was both natural and logical, since they’d been laminating their accordion chambers with thin sheets of flexible celluloid in sparkle “tinsel” and “mother-of-toilet seat” for many decades prior to producing guitars. Shortly thereafter, Pigini was named the representative for Binson echo effects, and shortly after that, introduced its own line of plastic-covered EKO guitars. Binson manufactured electronic echo devices. According to founder Karl Erik Hagstrom, its Italian distributor, Binson, ordered a large number of De Luxes. Hagstrom switched first with its sparkle-plastic-covered De Luxe guitar in 1958. Labor was still relatively inexpensive in Europe, and accordion makers turned to guitars to pump up profits. Fortunately for the accordion makers (and us), the fabled post-war Baby Boom was just beginning to hit adolescence, and along with it came a taste for guitars – electrics for playing like Duane Eddy or the Ventures, acoustics for joining the emerging folk revival. One of Pigini’s biggest American customers was the LoDuca Brothers in Milwaukee, owned by two Italian performers and teachers, Guy and Tom LoDuca, who distributed Pigini-made LoDuca accordions throughout the Midwest.Īlas, the accordion boom of the mid 1950s ran out of steam, and sales began to sag. One of the larger companies was owned by Oliviero Pigini in nearby Recanati. Hagstrom and Hohner (Germany) were significant accordion manufacturers, but the real center of accordion making was (and is) in and around Castelfidardo on the northcentral eastern Italian coast. Chicago, already a major hub of instrument production, provided a major nexus for accordion activity. After a wartime hiatus, the accordion came back even stronger in the 1950s, abetted by popular television variety shows such as the “Lawrence Welk Champagne Hour.” Accordion studios sprang up throughout the country’s urban areas, and there was a brisk demand for instruments. during the 1920s and ’30s and was taken up with gusto by middle-class children. The accordion began to become popular in the U.S. The story of EKO (and Hagstrom) guitars is inextricably tied to the story of accordions. Indeed, there may have been a stronger connection between Hagstrom and EKO than just being from the Continent. However you say it, “echo” or “eek’-oh,” these Italian guitars from the early 1960s, along with Hagstrom from Sweden and Framus from Germany, represent the strongest European contenders for a share of the American guitar boom of that swingin’ decade. More than 50 years of history ! How many musical instrument manufacturers in the world can match such an outstanding track record ? In actual fact, very few.1963 EKO Model 500/3V. EKO remains one of the most admired brands, in Italy and all over the world. Offices and labs are located inside our headquarters near Recanati.Īlso a small “Custom shop” remains in Italy manufacturing about 100 guitars a year.
Although all EKO guitars, basses and amplifiers are manufactured in these countries, R&D is done in Italy. In 1985 the production has been moved to factories outside Europe, joint-ventures were established in China and Czech Republic. At the same time many professionals chose to play EKO guitars and still continue to do so during their performances. Because of its stylish look, its good quality, as well as its good prices entire generations were introduced to music.
From 1959 to 1985 EKO was shipping – from Italy and from their European factories - to all major countries in the world. Since it was established in 1959, EKO has been committed to serve and assist musicians, disregarding skills or celebrity.ĭue to Oliviero Pigini’s (founder of the brand) forward looking attitude, EKO was famous as the biggest guitar factory in Europe, with almost half a million guitars coming out yearly from their factories.
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