are Hondo basses any good?

[Zooberwerx]

It's funny how times change. I lived in South Korea (where Hondos were made) in the late 1970s and owned a couple. Mediocre instruments at best. BTW, they sold for about $35 over there and maybe $100 in the USA.

Around 1978, the US importer got the bright idea of replacing the crappy Korean pickups the then new and hip DiMarzio pickups which improved the sound quite a bit but did nothing for the construction or playing feel. These were branded Hondo II with prices about $200.

In the mid 80s Hondo imported "upscale" instruments built in Japan by Tokai under the name Hondo Professional. Those are good instruments.

Sorry if I offend Hondo II fans, but $100 is tops I would pay for a used one.

That's what I pic'd in post #18. MIJ but I never realized it was Tokai...that explains a lot.

Riis

 

[TripleDouble]

I had/have that same Hondo II bass, I gave it to a beginner student and never asked for it back. Semi-playable and sounded sort of like a P bass, but a total turd overall. You can do a lot better for $250, I paid $100 for mine and it was bordering on too much in hindsight.

 

[Muddslide]

It's funny how times change. I lived in South Korea (where Hondos were made) in the late 1970s...

Around 1978, the US importer got the bright idea of replacing the crappy Korean pickups the then new and hip DiMarzio pickups which improved the sound quite a bit but did nothing for the construction or playing feel. These were branded Hondo II with prices about $200.

In the mid 80s Hondo imported "upscale" instruments built in Japan by Tokai under the name Hondo Professional. Those are good instruments.

Hey, that's good info. I had done a little research and I had it backwards--I thought production of these (and some similar brands) started in Japan then moved to Korea, then elsewhere, with quality degrading along that timeline; not the other way around.

But since you lives in S. Korea at the time, I reckon you know what you are talking about.

 

[Nick von Nick]

If you are a Joy Division fan, Peter Hook used a Hondo Rickenbacker 4001 copy on their seminal recordings in the late 70s.

~Nick "Klaus" G.

 

[Neveragain55]

My very first bass back in 1984 was a Hondo Fender copy…………loved it.

Obviously it wasn't as well built as my current line of ESP basses, but it played well and sounded great through my old "tube" Fender amp.

It was the perfect bass to learn on, and I wouldn't turn my nose up to one ever.

 

[tuba_samurai]

I had a Hondo II pro precision for awhile. Great neck, outstanding dimarzio pickup. Great little bass for cheap.

 

[Matthijs]

If you are a Joy Division fan, Peter Hook used a Hondo Rickenbacker 4001 copy on their seminal recordings in the late 70s.

~Nick "Klaus" G.

And the moment they earned some money he bought a Yamaha.

 

[2.6kHz]

Hondos usually don't go for much around here, around a hundred, maybe a little more if in really good shape. The oddball shaped 80's guitars seem to have a strong market though, hondo v's sell for anywhere from 150-250 on local craigslist.

 

[dakink]

I bought a Hondo II P bass knockoff (early '70s?) about three years ago on Craigslist. Very original and in great shape. Closet queen for sure. It's plywood and medium scale. Although it looks great, it plays like crap. Definitely not in the same league as other "lawsuit" Fenders I've owned. (I currently have a killer late '70s Memphis Jazz knockoff that the quality and playability easily matches by Fenders.) I wouldn't pay $250 for a Hondo II like mine - they typically go for around $100-$200 around here, depending on condition.

 

[DLSLAUGHTER]

I bought a Hondo II P bass knockoff (early '70s?) about three years ago on Craigslist. Very original and in great shape. Closet queen for sure. It's plywood and medium scale. Although it looks great, it plays like crap. Definitely not in the same league as other "lawsuit" Fenders I've owned. (I currently have a killer late '70s Memphis Jazz knockoff that the quality and playability easily matches by Fenders.) I wouldn't pay $250 for a Hondo II like mine - they typically go for around $100-$200 around here, depending on condition.

Hey i just picked up the same for 100 here in VA on CL. Dig it so far. Does yours have the 'humbucker'?

 

[dakink]

Yup, mine's got the humbucker, too. Interesting that yours has the truss at the heel and mine's at the head stock. Is yours medium scale? Mine was $100, too.

Thinking about it, haven't played mine (well, even taken it out of the case) in about 2 years. Guess that's a sign it's time to let 'er go!

 

[dakink]

Noticed your tub bar holes are up top and the tug bar on mine is below, so yours I'm guessing is a few years newer...

 

[DLSLAUGHTER]

Yeah, I guess it could be considered medium scale, medium frets too. Not a big fan of that. But i am a fan of the pickup. its unlike anything ive owned before. But it is quite microphonic to the touch but i guess thats how it gets the tone. Also ive read that these copy style of basses were built around 78'. i noticed you mentioned they are early 70s do you really think or do you know they are indeed from that era?

 

[DLSLAUGHTER]

Oh one more thing do you know if the holes for the pickup cover are close to a fender model? id like to get one and doubt i can find the actual hondo cover.

 

[dakink]

No, no idea if mine's from the early '70s or if it's later. Just a guess based on the location on the tug bar (I think Fender moved them in '73?).

I don't know about the pickup cover holes, sorry. (I don't have pickup covers on any of my Fenders.)

 

[TolerancEJ]

Hondo had a pretty sweet headless called Alien. Yes, it is headless. However, if you look closer, it is strung with regular strings instead from nut to bridge, instead of buying double ball end sets.

 

[FlaCharlie]

Hey i just picked up the same for 100 here in VA on CL. Dig it so far. Does yours have the 'humbucker'?

The Hohner bass I rescued and posted about here has the same pickup:

How About Blonde & Brunette? My Hohner P Makeover Project
For some reason the pics didn't load right in my first post but if you scroll down to some later posts in the thread you can see it.

I have the same pickup on another rescue bass, a No-name Fretless which may have been originally branded Hondo. I'm guessing that an earlier owner was embarrassed by the name and sanded it off. Here's the thread about that one:
NBD No-Name Precision Fretless

Yeah, I guess it could be considered medium scale, medium frets too. Not a big fan of that. But i am a fan of the pickup. its unlike anything ive owned before. But it is quite microphonic to the touch but i guess thats how it gets the tone. Also ive read that these copy style of basses were built around 78'. i noticed you mentioned they are early 70s do you really think or do you know they are indeed from that era?

Yeah, I love these pickups too! However, despite their appearance, they are not humbuckers they are single coils. I've had both of these apart - well, actually one just fell apart and I had to reassemble it. I also found one on eBay and picked it up for a spare because I like the sound so much. I've seen some jazz style basses that use them too. My Hohner has the small vintage style frets, which I love. I've got LaBella tapes on both of them - coppers on the fretted and golds on the fretless.

Great bargains if you find one that plays well.

 

[Dave Neal]

I see that this is an older thread but I am looking for any info on a Rocko P bass which I think might be a rebranded Hondo, Grover tuners, decent bridge, matching headstalk. I have yet to see and play it but was wondering if anyone knows anything about them, I can't find anything online about Rocko p basses.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I Had A Hondo II Long Horn Copy, With a Dimarzio P pickup.Bought It New for 150.00 in 1983. It was a fantastic Bass.View attachment 562657

Classic photo, I remember that bass.

Classic old days jamming in 'Wega.

 

[John Springate]

Yes if you get a good one. That price may be ok if there aren't major problems. A couple of the other P-clone Hondo's here came looking unplayed but the necks needed some work(setup and/or neck press and Stew Mac truss rod spacer). They are very good workhorses once set up to play properly.

We like Hondo's here with the 2 favs being a FAME Hondo that came with a factory Kahler(stays in tune even when abused) thoroughly dinged up(relic'ed?) but solid as a tank
View attachment 563131

and a Longhorn clone that sounds amazing(brass nut & heavy bridge help). This one can do the Dan LH sound with the switch in one position and a P to almost Ric sound with the switch in the other postion. It gets brought to rooms where a normal bass gets muddy b/c it can cut through any mix when you set the tone on 10 and play towards the bridge.
View attachment 563136

Yes if you get a good one. That price may be ok if there aren't major problems. A couple of the other P-clone Hondo's here came looking unplayed but the necks needed some work(setup and/or neck press and Stew Mac truss rod spacer). They are very good workhorses once set up to play properly.

We like Hondo's here with the 2 favs being a FAME Hondo that came with a factory Kahler(stays in tune even when abused) thoroughly dinged up(relic'ed?) but solid as a tank
View attachment 563131

and a Longhorn clone that sounds amazing(brass nut & heavy bridge help). This one can do the Dan LH sound with the switch in one position and a P to almost Ric sound with the switch in the other postion. It gets brought to rooms where a normal bass gets muddy b/c it can cut through any mix when you set the tone on 10 and play towards the bridge.
View attachment 563136

I so want one of these!