Never owned one but tried one at a music fair at Birmingham NEC circa 1977. Decided to get a ric instead, white with black binding. Wish I still had it.
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The OFFICIAL (kinda) HONDO THREAD!!
- Thread starter bluerimedeyes
- Start date
I am picking up a Deluxe 830 model later today. It looks to be close to Olympic Blue in color. The seller says the neck is straight, but we shall see this afternoon. I’ll post back with some pics. I don’t really need another bass, but this cake up at a great price, and I’ve always been curious about these Asian-made copies.
Does anyone know if there is a semi-accurate way to date these basses by serial number?
Does anyone know if there is a semi-accurate way to date these basses by serial number?
I am not aware of any real way to figure out date of manufacture. Hondo changed hands so many times and was passed around like a bong at a hippie party, most of those records were either lost or never kept in the first place.
BTW, I have put up my 1181 Longhorn for sale. She is a beauty. Anyone interested in a Longhorn, hit me up
Here’s the one I picked up today. Cleaned the pots and straightened the neck, but the action is unplayable. Bridge is bottomed out, so some shimming will take care if that. It sounds fantastic. Great growl, and I don’t even think I’ll change the strings lol... it’s been sitting in a closet for 24 years, according to the guy I bought it from.
It does NOT have Grover tuners on it, and the serial number sticker has been rubbed off. The knobs and jack still have bits of yellowed plastic stuck beneath them, so I think I’m the first one under the hood.
just got round to fitting a new Bridge to mine, after I noticed it was suffering a bridge shape on the bridge 
got it from China for £20 no problems so far, the good news is according to a knowledgeable chap on Basschat this is typical of Matsumoku Basses
got it from China for £20 no problems so far, the good news is according to a knowledgeable chap on Basschat this is typical of Matsumoku Basses
It's crazy how much those bridges bend over the years. Nice score!
Lookie, Kiddo's...
If Yer gonna "rock a Hondo"
ROCK A HONDO!!!
If Yer gonna "rock a Hondo"
ROCK A HONDO!!!
On the second bass, why are there three pots? I understand that's the typical electronics config for a P+J, but I can only see a single P pickup on this one...
Found this old Hondo II at a pawn shop. It had been sitting there for a year because it had a $350 price tag on it. I was able to get it for $140. Pretty decent shape but needs a good cleaning. There is a sticker on the back of the neck plate that says H830GS. I'm guessing that is the serial number? Would that mean it's from 83?
Did some more searching about Hondo years and based on this site, Logo Styles , my logo would indicate it was made between 79-81.
After a good setup and some basic cleaning this bass is awesome. Original pickups sound fantastic. The big ol' brass bridge is rock solid. The neck is nice and worn in like an old baseball glove, very comfortable to play. The tuners aren't the best but they work. She weighs 9.8lbs but balances well with zero neck dive. Aesthetically this bass is going to look great in my old school country band.
After a good setup and some basic cleaning this bass is awesome. Original pickups sound fantastic. The big ol' brass bridge is rock solid. The neck is nice and worn in like an old baseball glove, very comfortable to play. The tuners aren't the best but they work. She weighs 9.8lbs but balances well with zero neck dive. Aesthetically this bass is going to look great in my old school country band.
Well I finally nailed down the year, 1981, gotta love the internet for obscure resources. The GS stands for Gold Sunburst.
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This photo is from 1985 with my Hardcore Punk band Militant Neighbors.
It was stolen shortly after, I purchased a Rickenbacker 4003 with the $400 I received from the insurance company (the homeowner of the house it was stolen at claimed it as a Fender, not my doing!).
I covered up the Hondo logo with a Santa Cruz skateboard sticker out of embarrassment, but there’s no hiding that Eagle Beak headstock!
Didn’t miss it then, but would love to find one now for nostalgia’s sake.
Just got sent a pick of my 1983 Copper Hondo Longhorn (for sale in the classifieds) along with my 1982 Longhorn. I think this would have been taken about 1993 or so.
Just picked up this fame series 830
Grover tuners and string through body. Seller told me the pup was replaced with a fender 62 or something.
Sounds pretty good but badly needs a setup. I started but the truss rod is very stiff so I'm taking it slow. I hope it is going to work. It backs off fine but tightening it is difficult. Only way I have made headway is backing off a little, then tightening a little.
Grover tuners and string through body. Seller told me the pup was replaced with a fender 62 or something.
Sounds pretty good but badly needs a setup. I started but the truss rod is very stiff so I'm taking it slow. I hope it is going to work. It backs off fine but tightening it is difficult. Only way I have made headway is backing off a little, then tightening a little.
