The OFFICIAL (kinda) HONDO THREAD!!

[permissiontoland]

Hey there Hondo fans! I'm working on a wiki for all Samick-built guitars which includes a lot of Hondos (in fact, the vast majority).

Hondo

It's still a work in progress but if you have any specific questions I can try to answer to the best of my ability. To clear up one common misconception; only the Professional Series were made in Japan (with a few exceptions). They were made by both Tokai and Matsumoku. Tokai did the Fender copies, and Mats did the Vantage-style bass and six-strings (duh).

The black bass above is indeed a Deluxe Series H-830 B, but I can only tell you they were made from 1981-1987 or so. Serial numbers didn't start until mid-1984 and were just stickers that were often ripped off.

 

[iriegnome]

Good Start.. Don't forget the Hondo II Professional series Longhorn model H-1181

 

[permissiontoland]

Oops! Added. Can any owners confirm the wood species of the Longhorns? Looks like solid Ash to me but I don't have a catalog with the specs.

 

[iriegnome]

I can check later today. I always thought they were ply, but I will pop off the back cover and see for sure

 

[Skokiaan]

Hondo Fame P bass. Given to me by a friend after the truss rod snapped. Unplayable as a bass; perfect for archery. That said, it was my first bass and got me interested enough to buy a better one and play.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[permissiontoland]

I can check later today. I always thought they were ply, but I will pop off the back cover and see for sure

All the Professional Series models were *supposed to be* solid wood, although I've heard some Japanese manufacturers were inconsistent about that. But I also take everything I hear without evidence with a huge grain of salt. Most of the "information" out there about Hondos is total bunk. I've yet to see a Pro Series model without a solid wood body.

 

[iriegnome]

I totally forgot to do this. I'm sorry. I will try to remember today to check it out

 

[Smoove-Groove]

All the Professional Series models were *supposed to be* solid wood, although I've heard some Japanese manufacturers were
inconsistent about that. But I also take everything I hear without evidence with a huge grain of salt. Most of the "information" out there
about Hondos is total bunk. I've yet to see a Pro Series model without a solid wood body.

I have a Hondo II professional P copy. It's definately not plywood. It's very well made. Most likely by Tokai.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

It's been a long time since I owned it, but I believe my Hondo Longhorn clone was plywood.

 

[hondo4life]

I believe my Hondo is wood.

 

[Skeezix]

Are you still doing numbers?
Here is my Hondo electric/acoustic.

 

[permissiontoland]

I have a Hondo II professional P copy. It's definately not plywood. It's very well made. Most likely by Tokai.

Yep, the P-bass was made by Tokai, called the H-1120:

H-1100

It's been a long time since I owned it, but I believe my Hondo Longhorn clone was plywood.

The Longhorns were technically part of the Professional Series, made by Tokai, so they should be solid wood. Best pic I could find:

Are you still doing numbers?
Here is my Hondo electric/acoustic.

That's an H-1000, probably made in the '90s-early '00s, possibly Indonesian.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

The Longhorns were technically part of the Professional Series, made by Tokai, so they should be solid wood. Best pic I could find:

Sure looks like it, I stand corrected. My Hondo longhorn is one of the few basses I wish I never sold.

 

[Smoove-Groove]

Yep, the P-bass was made by Tokai, called the H-1120:

H-1100

Cool. Thanks for the link. I wasn't sure of the finish. Didn't know it is nitro. Makes me like it even more.

 

[Johnny Crab]

The Longhorns here look like solid wood also.
Here's the "walnut" finished one flanked by a Peavey Foundation and Geddy Jazz. The "stripes" on the gloss are a reflection of the wall behind the stage.

 

[iriegnome]

Never seen Walnut. Copperburst and Creamburst.. Love the Walnut

 

[permissiontoland]

Never seen Walnut. Copperburst and Creamburst.. Love the Walnut

Here's an interesting find; a Samick-built Harmony 335 in Creamburst:

 

[byacey]

A friend of mine gave me a Hondo turquoise blue 830 precision with a birds eye maple neck and fingerboard. Years ago he installed some EMG Ps, but one half was dead, so I decided to try something different.
I ordered in a Wilde Bill Lawrence P46 pickup. After setting up the truss rod and action, this is has become a great playing and sounding bass. Much fuller sounding with more dynamics compared to the EMGs. It'll hold it's own against any stock Fender Precision.

 

[blammo]

ahhh, just realized I should probably have posted this in the Hondo thread:

1975 Hondo P-Bass Review: A Bass Player's Tour Diary

 

[VanGremlin]

Hey there, I'm a brand new member of the Hondo bass owners club. I picked up a melody maker style professional series up off of eBay, picture below. A previous owner added a custom paint job. I'll be stripping it down to bare wood and then my friend who is an artist will be re-painting it. I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

I bought my first Hondo back in about 1980, a Les Paul clone. I didn't know enough about guitars to know if it was good or bad, but I've had a soft spot for Hondos ever since. I recently picked up a Hondo II professional with the same body style as this bass, and also a Flying V Hondo, both off eBay.