In mechanics the fastLOK can be defined as a “simple system”. True is that it represents an absolute innovative and unique technology to rapidly lock the neck to the body, applied on acoustic guitars. Designed and owned by EKO Music Group spa, patent pending worldwide.
If compared to any other - be it glued, set or Bolton neck - this new technology is adding many advantages that only fastLOK can deliver.
The capability of setting the action by adapting the angle between neck and body is just one of them. All is done through the use of an allenkey, no need to remove strings, no need for tool or for luthiers, and all is done in matter of seconds. Rotating a simple – supplied with the guitar – allenkey, either clockwise or counterclockwise, will result in a visual change of strings’ height on the fingerboard. While the strings just seem to be raising or lowering, the angle between neck and body is changing. Only the variation of this angle - rather than an up and down sliding of the neck - can really allow for a natural string-to-fingerboard interaction, in fact the strings’ vibrating movement can be executed as usually. Playability of the guitar changes instantly, and also sound is of course changing.
FastLOK models – like all the other EKO Acoustic guitars - are equipped with a 2way truss-rod, which is for sure added value but nothing really new. In combination with the fastLOK neck this opens to a new world. The two technologies put together can always get to the guitar player a perfectly set of the fingerboard, even after years of use and under severe climate conditions. In fact, in the unlikely case the neck should bend, because of humidity, dryness or whatsoever - at the end wood is like a leaving creature – it is still possible to adjust the fingerboard. Different from a glued neck guitar, where the trussrod in working only for the first 14, with the fastlok neck the trussrod works from the first to the last fret. On the professional line the fastLOK combines with the adjustable bridge for even more fine tuning of the guitar.
The fastLOK neck can be completely removed just unloosing one screw, this makes the guitar easily portable and suitable for a full neck substitution, if required.
As it happened for the BoltOn technlology - introduced in the 60’s by EKO and later replicated by others and source of inspiration for people like Bob Taylor (Biography of Taylor states very clearly how the EKO Ranger BoltON can be considered starting point for Taylor guitar manufacturer activity) - the fastLOK will become another milestone in acoustic guitar manufacturing.
Steel String Guitars FastLOK Series
The fastLOK acoustic guitar range introduced in 2011 - and to be showcased for the first time to the public in Europe during the Musikmesse 2011 - offers a solution to every kind of player.
History and technology are best represented by the new Ranger models, indeed we can proudly say that a new generation of Ranger is borne. All the EKO aficionados will be happily surprised by the new Ranger Custom VI and XII : Solid Top, EKO low profile Neck Shape, wood binding, mother of pearl inlays.
Suggested by Artist, made by EKO. The EKO MIA FastLOK models are the result of the collaboration between EKO and Massimo Varini, one of the greatest guitar player in Italy, currently under the iTunes Italy Top Ten charts with his latest album. Guitars made to fulfill demands of professional musicians - fitted with Fishman equalizer – they can be used on stage, inside studios or for teaching purpose.
FastLOK series is completed by the wonderful looking and sounding EKO Conero - a perfect first Solid Top guitar – and two more entry level models : Ranger 6 and 12 and the Laredo. Fishman Equalizer as option. From top professional models to entry level models, everyone can benefit from this brilliant and unique technology.
Students can easily adjust action while they improve their skills : at the beginning of their learning journey the action can be set high, this way the fingers can get used to the strings, later on, the action can be set to a more comfortable height. While the student is learning more techniques he can adapt the action to his skills, and to the different string gauges or even to the different styles of playing the guitar.
Professionals can enjoy the perfect match of FastLOK neck and adjustable bridge, this combination offers to musicians the ultimate in guitar tuning, if they want to play an acoustic guitar with the same feeling of an electric guitar they can, the adjustable bridge, fitted on the more professional – solid top models allows the first and the last string to have different height . Indeed the saddle can be raised or lowered on each side, individually.