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The OFFICIAL (kinda) HONDO THREAD!!
- Thread starter bluerimedeyes
- Start date
Don't know if it is one of the solid wood body,or layered plywood? Heard you can tell by checking neck pocket? Hesitate about doing that right now? Looks like a solid wood,compared to another one of these I had before. Had different ones here comment,that usually they had darker finish,on the edges of the body to cover the layers of the plywood? This one looks like you can see where the wood joins,in looking at it in person? Any comments would be welcome. Positive,or negative,cause I already know some of the history,of the Hondo Series bass guitars. Not an expert,but had lot basses,down through the years. This bass actually feels and plays,just as good as some of the well known basses,I have owned. Just added these pictures,for you all,that maybe missed the other ones? Thanks,for looking!
Just guessing, but it looks like yours is NOT plywood. But the only way to know for sure us to remove the neck or pick guard.
Nice bass, enjoy. I still have my original player I got new in 1981, I really need to get it out and play it a bit.
Took,the pick guard off,and the routing,looks solid,not layered from what I could see? Anyone,have any idea,what type pickups these would be? Thanks!
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I have a black neck plate,for the Hondo Fame series,and the black tuners,if anyone is interested? Just pay the postage for mailing?
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**Update Post**
This is a shot of my 1981 Hondo II. I bought this bass new, it was my first bass. I learned my first songs, played my first gig, and imprinted my love for Precision style basses with this bass.
It was a test bed for a curious tinkerer, but by 1983 or so it was bypassed by another instrument (a Ric) and it was mothballed in its case for many moons.
I found it in my parents basement a few years ago, and started to restore it. It took a long time to work a bow out of the neck but I finally stabilized it, now as straight as a machinists rule. The missing pickups were replaced with Dimarzio Model P’s, pickguard with a Fender Am Standard (I had a Squier on it, but it was a little off, The Am fits better) and I replaced the brass bridge with a Schaller adjustable I bought in 1986. This allowed me to get the action set nice and low. The brass bridge was cool, but just didn't allow me to get the action set right. I have an original Badass Bridge off a BC Rich that would look awesome on it (chrome/brass) but I'd have to route the thing in. Of course the pots and wiring replaced. The tuners and nut are solid, so they stayed.
The bass has a solid 70’s P bass feel to it, with a thicker chunky neck, “V” profile the best as I can explain. It’s very comfortable to play. Frets are a more smaller vintage style, and the Plywood body the same size as a fender, but with a little less contour on its edges.
It has not been on a stage since 1983, but next week it’s going to make its triumphant return. With the Dimarzios and a heavy set of flats, it gives a very 70’s P bass sound.
This is a shot of my 1981 Hondo II. I bought this bass new, it was my first bass. I learned my first songs, played my first gig, and imprinted my love for Precision style basses with this bass.
It was a test bed for a curious tinkerer, but by 1983 or so it was bypassed by another instrument (a Ric) and it was mothballed in its case for many moons.
I found it in my parents basement a few years ago, and started to restore it. It took a long time to work a bow out of the neck but I finally stabilized it, now as straight as a machinists rule. The missing pickups were replaced with Dimarzio Model P’s, pickguard with a Fender Am Standard (I had a Squier on it, but it was a little off, The Am fits better) and I replaced the brass bridge with a Schaller adjustable I bought in 1986. This allowed me to get the action set nice and low. The brass bridge was cool, but just didn't allow me to get the action set right. I have an original Badass Bridge off a BC Rich that would look awesome on it (chrome/brass) but I'd have to route the thing in. Of course the pots and wiring replaced. The tuners and nut are solid, so they stayed.
The bass has a solid 70’s P bass feel to it, with a thicker chunky neck, “V” profile the best as I can explain. It’s very comfortable to play. Frets are a more smaller vintage style, and the Plywood body the same size as a fender, but with a little less contour on its edges.
It has not been on a stage since 1983, but next week it’s going to make its triumphant return. With the Dimarzios and a heavy set of flats, it gives a very 70’s P bass sound.
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I gigged with my Hondo last night for the first time in ages. I recently put a Fender Jazz neck on it, and I think the side dots are a little smaller on this neck. Couple that with one of our singers standing in front of me and blocking the light, and I botched a few songs that I usually have no trouble with.
Still, the Hondo sounds great with it's new Golden Age pickup, especially when I hit the right notes.
Still, the Hondo sounds great with it's new Golden Age pickup, especially when I hit the right notes.
Snapped this photo the other day and thought I would share. Got these on craigslist a few years ago. Tokai-era Japanese Professionals, both. Playability-wise, the bass is about as nice as any I've played, really. Super light. Hot, very articulate pickup that I imagine is a Dimarzio. The only problem with it is the tuners are about due for replacement. They hold on, but just barely. Oh and some previous owner made a ham-handed attempt at beginning to "relic" it with a file, hence the funky headstock shape. For $100 it's a ridiculous value though. If you ever see one of these going for Hondo Money, grab it immediately.
^^preaching to the choir here my friend. Once they get a good set up, Hondos are pretty nice.
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Hello gang, I have just gotten a Hondo H-800 All Star and waiting to have it shipped to me. But from the pictures I don't see a truss rod adjustment at the neck, and none at the heel. Could it possibly be under the pick guard, or do some Hondo H-800's not have adjustable truss rods? I hope not! Thanks for your help!
It's under the pickguard. Mine doesn't have the notch in the pickguard either, but the adjustment is at the heel. The adjustment nut is an allen socket rather than a flat head ala Fender on my bass, that's why a notch in the pickguard wouldn't help - you need to remove it to get the tool in there.
Great! I was worried about a bass that didn't have a truss rod. Can't wait to get it!
OK, it's on the way to me, looks like it's going to be a lot of work to get it playing. Some 'pre'cleaning pictures. Can't wait to start. Hope the neck is not twisted??? Can't really see from the pics but the action doesn't look too high...will see how it plays.
If it's worth fixing up, will probably string it BEAD. I play a 5 string now, and use the low B far more than the high G. what do you think?
I had a 4001 copy in Fireglo with stereo sound back in the 70s, Peter Hook had the same one when he started out in Joy Division but his nut kept falling out mid gig
