• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Help me date this Hondo?

MSparkes

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
5
I've just picked up this Hondo in rather a sorry state. It's had a hard life and has neck/headstock cracks. Does anyone know about these models? Perhaps they could date it? It's going to need some glueing, some finish repairs, a new nut, a new tuner button and a few bloody good cleaning sessions.

IMG_0326.jpegIMG_0328.jpeg
 

MSparkes

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
5
Oh, and some new knobs. Anyone know what size these old Hondos use and what design would have been original on it?
 

MSparkes

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
5
Used a syringe to get Titebond into all those cracks - and there were quite a few of them. It seems to clamp together well despite sitting with a cracked neck for over 20 years in someone's attic.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0393.jpeg
    IMG_0393.jpeg
    676.2 KB · Views: 3

Ed Driscoll

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
4,691
Here's a photo of my 1982 Hondo. Pretty sure the knobs were clones of Gibson speed knobs, but with white instead of gold, and black numbers:

i-CGnvxGJ-M.jpg


Good luck with your restoration (and sorry for the fuzzy photo and scan šŸ˜¬ ).
 

MSparkes

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
5
Thanks Ed. I'd just ordered some gold vintage-style knobs. Looks like they won't be close to what was already on there but will look better IMO. I've also got a white pickguard coming as yours seems to have one. I tracked down a single used Grover tuner on eBay as well - button won't be an identical match, but close enough to convince from a few feet away.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
I had a Hondo II circa 1979. Tuner shafts won't work well with regular knurled knobs. I changed my pots and got new knobs with set screws.

I loved the neck on mine as did the guy who bought it!

The logo on yours was used in 1980 and later.

more info: https://samick.fandom.com/wiki/Hondo's_History
 

MSparkes

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
5
I just got a single Grover tuner in the post from eBay. I knew the button was slightly different to those on the Hondo but it would have been a good enough match. Sadly the size of the button shafts seems to be different. I never knew Grover had changed them over the years. Mine is a left-hand one so I could move one button over to the missing one and replace a whole tuner. Nut from Tusq has also arrived, so I'll have a go at both those tonight. The nut will need a tiny 1mm spacer as the Hondo nuts were wider than Gibson ones.
 
Top