Post by Tony Ravenscroft on Mar 4, 2023 19:26:22 GMT -6
I'm not going to slag the basic commercial models of Hondo - there's a reasonably nice black-decal Hondo II sss sitting a few feet away.
But the Hondo II is basically on par with the Squier Affinity and the Washburn X-10 sitting nearby: good beginner guitars, but simply SO DAMN COMMON that they're kind of near-worthless due to the surfeit, though perhaps glut is a better word because it sort of suggests choking while stuffing one's face with good food.
I have an interesting Fame that may go to an appreciative new home. A decent red Strat, albeit with airbrushed "Eddie" white strips, but two single-coil pickups which I find charmingly Blackmore.
As always, having so many low-end Hondo II taking up space provides you opportunity to bargain hard when you spot a winner. And for winners, you want to keep an eye open for the occasional Fame or Professional or All-Star (and sometimes Deluxe).
H-702 All-Star - vaguely Tele head, black Rotomatics, <$400 shipped
Professional - one of the few Lead II clones, and MIJ too, $400 shipped
H-700 All-Star - vaguely Tele head, chrome Rotos, offset "thermometer" HSC (brown vinyl), $324 shipped
H-734 Deluxe - straight-up businesslike bolt-neck SG clone with a unique control layout, $260 shipped
But the Hondo II is basically on par with the Squier Affinity and the Washburn X-10 sitting nearby: good beginner guitars, but simply SO DAMN COMMON that they're kind of near-worthless due to the surfeit, though perhaps glut is a better word because it sort of suggests choking while stuffing one's face with good food.
I have an interesting Fame that may go to an appreciative new home. A decent red Strat, albeit with airbrushed "Eddie" white strips, but two single-coil pickups which I find charmingly Blackmore.
As always, having so many low-end Hondo II taking up space provides you opportunity to bargain hard when you spot a winner. And for winners, you want to keep an eye open for the occasional Fame or Professional or All-Star (and sometimes Deluxe).
H-702 All-Star - vaguely Tele head, black Rotomatics, <$400 shipped
Professional - one of the few Lead II clones, and MIJ too, $400 shipped
H-700 All-Star - vaguely Tele head, chrome Rotos, offset "thermometer" HSC (brown vinyl), $324 shipped
H-734 Deluxe - straight-up businesslike bolt-neck SG clone with a unique control layout, $260 shipped
) Some previous owner built a not-so-good aluminum nut that's VERY high, so I'm going to see if I have a spare Nubone somewhere.
