From the end of the 1960s, after the disappearance of the founder of the brand, Eko tried to relaunch new models to continue to include itself in its era as it had done before. many models were created in the 1970's, such as this MD mandolin. Numerous examples illustrate the constant search of luthiers to obtain new sounds. We can cite the example of guitars from the Ovation brand which will be equipped in the same years with rounded bottoms in resin and fiberglass. These guitars will achieve great popularity among musicians and will, among other things, make the brand famous. Two decades before we also note the attempts of Mario Macafferi, having worked in particular at Selmer, who experimented with manufacturing gypsy format guitars, like the one that made his reputation and that of the Selmer brand guitars as well. He therefore decided to make guitars entirely from composite materials. We also note that many mandolin manufacturers had already tried making mandolin bases in materials other than wood. This is the case of Edmund Paulus, in Markneukirchen, where mandolins with metal bases appear in his catalogs from the 1910s. Edmund Paulus catalog from 1910's intended for export to the American continent, presenting models of mandolins with metal bases. Here we have a model from the 1970's from the Eko brand which presents a particularity common to the guitars and mandolins mentioned above: the rounded bottom is made of composite, made of resin and fiber, with an imitation rosewood finish. And it is in this tradition of innovation in its time that this Eko MD mandolin is part. All the more rare because very few copies were produced. Technical characteristics: Top: Spruce Back: Resin and Fiber (Rosewood imitation) Neck: Mahogany Fingerboard: Rosewood Width at nut: 30mm Radius: Flat Frets: 18 frets (+ 1 zero fret) Scale: 330mm Profile: C Pickguard: Black (paint) ) / representation of a butterfly in negative Hardware: Chrome Country of manufacture: Italy Year: 1970's Finish: Natural Decorations: Rosette and protection plate painted black Details: Pock on the table / Traces of use / Slight piece of nut broken on the side of the last MI string which does not at all alter the proper functioning of the nut Delivered without case.