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The OFFICIAL (kinda) HONDO THREAD!!
- Thread starter bluerimedeyes
- Start date
So I just read that the model number of the Ric Copies may be HRB-S2??? I know they were made in the Samick factory. Not much more... Help anyone?? jump in here please
Not much is known about any hondo really thats why this is a "cult" not a club 
if you keep digging you may find something on google. Good Luck
if you keep digging you may find something on google. Good LuckI have this exact same Hondo II, but it's incomplete and three tone burst. It's not in my possession right now (at a friend's) but this is a pic of what it looked like before I started the work on it. It was already gutted when I got it.
New tuners and string tree from stewmac:
The ONLY pickup I was able to find (and afford) that was able to fit without risking lots of money for a pickup that didn't fit:
It has a (not pictured) three ply custom black Warmoth pickguard. I had it made for a 70's style P but with no pickup holes routed. I mounted it with a mounting ring. It actually looks pretty good.
You guys know where I can get a moderately priced Gibson-style HB (not the EB0 style) for this (like the EMG SE-HB pictured)? I love how it feels, but the pickup sound like complete crap. The EMG-HB's string spacing is too tight, and I'm out of options. I've strung it up (D'Addario Chromes) with the new bridge (Wilkinson BB4 with brass saddles) and it felt PHENOMENAL. I like this better than my neck-through Warlock...
PS - I'm aware that certain soapbars may fit in there, but I really do not want to re-shape the p'up hole in the pickguard. I'd like to keep the current configuration.
I believe that bass was originally equipped with a P p'up. No matter what brand you use its going to sound better than what you used......
Actuall this would have probably looked more like a Hofner Staple pickup or a Aria tent style pickup. The bass looks to be an early II model. Which would have very much used the Teisco/Hofner/Aria style cheapy chrome pickup. Still would have sounded pretty good, but definately old school style.
Even though this thing's costing me too much money to finish, I still love it. Thanks for the info, I'll be looking into the Aria ones, unless I can find a busted up Epiphone Viola. There's a Hofner Staple on Fleabay right now for 300 bucks. It's outta my price range.
There are dozens of mid to late 60's through the early 1980's basses that used the exact same pickups. Hundreds of Hofner copy staple pickup's and such.. You should be able to search E-bay for pickups and find them without much of a problem.
Yeah, I didn't think of adding "style" to the search. My bad. I found some on Allparts, and one of them even has a wire for a coil tap. I'm going that route to give this bass the original sound (single coil) and something a little more punchy. Thank you! I'll post the final pictures in a few weeks when I get my paycheck.
Having owned two of that particular bass don't get an O.E. pup they are mirco phonic and single coil they hum like mad. If you want to know what that pickup looks like check my MySpace page.
You might need to route but its not a expensive bass and made of plywood. So don't be angry if the hole is not pretty as long as the pickguard is covering it up.
I have a Hondo II Professional. It is a Pbass copy and I like the way it plays and sounds. I believe it was made in the 70's or early 80's? Can anyone tell me more about it or how to date it? Is the body Alder or Basswood?
How does this guitar compare to a 70's pbass, which I was thinking of buying. Maybe I shouldn't bother?
How does this guitar compare to a 70's pbass, which I was thinking of buying. Maybe I shouldn't bother?
That my friend is my dream hondo. That particular series was made in the same factory as tokai basses. Body is prolly alder. I did some hardware comparison to come to this conclusion so I'm not 100% but I would challenge someone to prove me wrong. Killer Bass!
Here are some close ups. Shot from an iPhone 4, so not the best quality.
Is the neck quartersawn or flatsawn?
The weight is around 9lbs 2oz, which is nice, not too heavy.
I enjoy this bass more than my 96 J Bass. I was thinking about getting a 70's pbass, but I hear the quality was not that good for that era, maybe I should stick with the Hondo and throw in some Sb1's or something.
Is the neck quartersawn or flatsawn?
The weight is around 9lbs 2oz, which is nice, not too heavy.
I enjoy this bass more than my 96 J Bass. I was thinking about getting a 70's pbass, but I hear the quality was not that good for that era, maybe I should stick with the Hondo and throw in some Sb1's or something.
