Technically improved, the new Ranger VR retains the same wood combination, with Mahogany for the back and sides and Spruce for the top. The onboard preamp is the Fishman Sonitone, which controls the piezo pickup and offers Volume and Tone controls. It features a retro look, with a redesigned pickguard that preserves the classic shape of the past. The first edition of this guitar dates back to 1962, when Eko decided to produce a series of folk guitars based on the popular Dreadnought shape, which was highly fashionable in America at the time. The first 6-string guitar was named J54 and immediately gained popularity for its playability and affordability.