Post by Tony Ravenscroft on Mar 1, 2024 18:35:33 GMT -6
I dimly remember finding this years ago, then forgetting about it (I didn't actually own a Hondo until maybe two years ago, and it's waiting in my project queue):
If you want to know more about Hondo instruments, particularly the solid-body electric guitars, you will be well served by visiting the Hondo section of The Samick Wikia. Though a bit random in organization, there is much useful information here.
In another thread, I highlight what I call "the good Hondos." The brand was launched in the early 1970s, rebadged to "Hondo II" for awhile (1976-1980). They returned to just plain Hondo in 1981, renaming their basic clones as the Standard Series, and also launched various lines of higher quality instruments, lists that are definitely worthy of exploring if you are at all a Hondo fan.
Within a few years, the Hondo brand had an active catalogue of 485 instruments!! That includes acoustics, mandolins, basses, and banjos.
(Incidentally, my experience is that the Hondo II clones vary widely in quality. This was, after all, almost a HALF-CENTURY ago
and predates personal computers, let alone computer-controlled high-volume precision milling. The worst have been about the level of Fender's early bottom-tier Squier and the Starcaster line... which, to be fair, also had many dubious guitars and some underappreciated gems, often in the same lot! Don't totally lose your mind, but likewise don't turn up your nose without looking just a little more closely. 
This wiki collects and catalogues data for Hondo series such as:
Standard Series
Deluxe Series
All-Star Series
Fame Series
Formula 1 Series
Artist & Designer Series
Mastercaster Series
Revival Series
Professional Series
Deluxe Series Mark II
Cobra
I am going to avoid pilfering facts from the wiki. Though I may refer to it from time to time, anyone who's read this far will likely enjoy digging facts up themselves. Let's just say that there are certain models
of Hondo that had DiMarzio pickups... or were built by Matsumoku or Tokai... or had Kahler vibratos... or were designed by luthier Nark Erlewine... 
If you want to know more about Hondo instruments, particularly the solid-body electric guitars, you will be well served by visiting the Hondo section of The Samick Wikia. Though a bit random in organization, there is much useful information here.
In another thread, I highlight what I call "the good Hondos." The brand was launched in the early 1970s, rebadged to "Hondo II" for awhile (1976-1980). They returned to just plain Hondo in 1981, renaming their basic clones as the Standard Series, and also launched various lines of higher quality instruments, lists that are definitely worthy of exploring if you are at all a Hondo fan.
Within a few years, the Hondo brand had an active catalogue of 485 instruments!! That includes acoustics, mandolins, basses, and banjos.
(Incidentally, my experience is that the Hondo II clones vary widely in quality. This was, after all, almost a HALF-CENTURY ago
and predates personal computers, let alone computer-controlled high-volume precision milling. The worst have been about the level of Fender's early bottom-tier Squier and the Starcaster line... which, to be fair, also had many dubious guitars and some underappreciated gems, often in the same lot! Don't totally lose your mind, but likewise don't turn up your nose without looking just a little more closely. 
This wiki collects and catalogues data for Hondo series such as:
Standard Series
Deluxe Series
All-Star Series
Fame Series
Formula 1 Series
Artist & Designer Series
Mastercaster Series
Revival Series
Professional Series
Deluxe Series Mark II
Cobra
I am going to avoid pilfering facts from the wiki. Though I may refer to it from time to time, anyone who's read this far will likely enjoy digging facts up themselves. Let's just say that there are certain models
of Hondo that had DiMarzio pickups... or were built by Matsumoku or Tokai... or had Kahler vibratos... or were designed by luthier Nark Erlewine... 