|
 HONDO |
| ELECTRIC |
| Hondo guitars generally carried a new retail price range between $179 and $349 (up to $449). While their more unusual-designed model may command a slightly higher price, the average used price may range between $125 (good condition) up to $250 for basic models, and can range from $200-$400 for higher end models. Models such as the Machine Gun model can bring up to $500, the Longhorn up to $450 and the Longhorn double neck up to $750. Recently produced Hondo electric solid body models include the H720M (last MSR $299), a traditional style double cutaway model with bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard, vintage-style tremolo, white pickguard, three single coil pickups, volume/two tone controls, and a five-way selector switch. The H715 (last MSR was $149) has a plywood body, nato neck, kuku wood fingerboard, black pickguard, humbucker, and volume/tone controls. The HII (last MSR was $159) is another Strat design that comes in various finishes. The All Star series debuted in the fall of 1983, and featured Fender-based models with a slimmed down Telecaster-ish headstock. Paul Dean (Loverboy) endorsed and had a hand in designing two solid body models in 1983. The Hondo version could even be seen as a dry run for Dean's later association with the Kramer company. The Dean II had a stop tailpiece and two humbuckers, and the Dean III featured three single coils and a standard tremolo. The Deluxe Series was first offered in 1982, and featured 11 classical and 22 steel string acoustic models. The electric line featured 9 variations on the Les Paul theme, including the H-752 double cutaway LP. A "strat" of sorts carried the designation H-760, a B.C. Rich inspired model with humbuckers and three mini-switches was the H-930, and a 335 repro was designated the H-935. Many carried a new list price between $229 and $299. Texas luthier/designer Mark Erlewine licensed a pair of designs to Hondo for the Erlewine Series in 1982 and 1983. His Chiquita travel guitar had a scale of 19 in. and an overall 27.5 in. length; and the headless Lazer was a full scale (25.5 in.) guitar with an overall length of 31 in. A third model, named the Automatic was offered as well. List prices ranged from $199 to $349. Unveiled in late 1984, the Fame Series featured Fender-based reproductions with the Fame logo in a spaghetti-looking lettering. However, the spelling and outline would be a give-away from a distance (if their intention was so bold.). In 1985, noted luthier/designer Harry Fleishman licensed the Flash bass, a headless, bodiless, 2 octave neck, Schaller Bridge equipped, magnetic and piezo-driven electric bass that was based on one of his high quality original designs. Fleishman also designed a Tele-ish acoustic/electric similar to the Kramer Ferrington models that were available. The Longhorn series featured a guitar (model HP 1081) and bass (model H 1181) constructed of solid wood bodies and bolt-on necks. The guitar had a 32-fret neck, single humbucker, fixed bridge, brass nut, volume/tone controls, as well as a coil tap and phase mini switches. The bass model had a 2 octave neck, P-style split pickup, volume/tone controls, and a mini switch. Both were available in Cream Sunburst, Metallic Bronze, and Natural Walnut finishes during the early 1980s. The MasterCaster Series were mid-1980s models advertised as having solid ash bodies, Kahler Flyer locking tremolos, and Grover tuners. The Professional Series was introduced in 1982, and had a number of classical and steel string models. More importantly, there was a number of electric Strat-style guitars that were presumably built by Tokai in Japan. Tokai was one of the reproduction companies of the mid-to-late 1970s that built pretty good Strats -- much to Fender's displeasure. Standard Series guitars were also introduced in the early 1980s, and were Hondo's single or double pickup entry level guitars. The acoustic models were beginner's guitars as well. The Standard line did offer 11 banjo models of different add-ons and four distinct mandolins. |