80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

[Blille]

I'm considering buying a cheap Hondo Explorer copy locally. An early 80s Hondo Deluxe Series 780.

Looks like the one in the pic below. All I know is that the internet says it's made by Samick in Korea. It's a bit of a drive to check it out so I'm wondering if any of you have any experience.

I've always wanted an Explorer but not sure I'm ready to invest in a Gibson.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

How much and how long is this drive?

 

[Blille]

80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

How much and how long is this drive?

$275, 'bout an hour (each way).

I'm wondering mostly about the neck. Can't handle chunky.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

It probably is a chunky neck with tiny frets and a small radius. It looks like a 25-1/2" scale but a 21 fret, and it's likely plywood, so after you add up the cost of other much needed upgrades like pickups and hardware, definitely a new nut and tuners you already built one so Idk man Id pass on this one and build one from a KNE body built to your specs and choose the rest of your parts to build it the way you like. You could do a budget build utilizing good used parts and still come in at $500 or less when youre done, and that's with used Seymours or what have you, grab a nice neck somewhere, bridge and tuners and youre there.

Its a good way to get behind the wheel of what you want and getting what you want. In either case the resale value is crap, so you have to take that into consideration.

Edit:
Or just get a used Epiphone Explorer. It would be the easiest way honestly.

 

[Blille]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

It probably is a chunky neck with tiny frets and a small radius. It looks like a 25-1/2" scale but a 21 fret, and it's likely plywood,
[...]

Edit:
Or just get a used Epiphone Explorer. It would be the easiest way honestly.

Thanks for your common sense. I'm afraid you're right, so I'll look for a deal on an Epi.

 

[Adieu]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Worked on one of those for a customer.

Plywood body. Neck desperately needing a good reshape with a razor blade (which is what I did)

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Oh yea, we've all done this before and its so easy to get sucked into it cause the temptation is ever great.
I would like to add that Hondo did make some really cool body shapes like the H-1 BladeRunner, Deluxe 775 Star body, however they were plywood as well I believe.

 

[Aceman]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

The real question was always "Are you ready to deal with the utter crap that was Hondo."

Don't get me wrong - there were a lot of guys playing a Hoindo LP with a Superdistortion it it circa 1978 or so....but it came with a price.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

I had a Hondo LP back around 1980 or so. It was a dead dog. Unloaded it pretty quick.

 

[Blille]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Yeah, it won't happen. Future crisis averted. Thanks guys.

 

[Adieu]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Oh yea, we've all done this before and its so easy to get sucked into it cause the temptation is ever great.
I would like to add that Hondo did make some really cool body shapes like the H-1 BladeRunner, Deluxe 775 Star body, however they were plywood as well I believe.

Good Hondos had "Fame" branding, expensive hardware, and seemingly cost an arm and a leg originally... everything Hondo branded tends to disappoint

 

[LLL]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

I wouldn't pay $1 for a Hondo... they were the "joke guitar for the neophyte and unserious guitarist" in the 80's.

My friend had a Hondo Les Paul in the 80's... we used to take it out and laugh at it.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Why not look for an 1980's ibanez destroyer? They are ****ing mint with then some. :laugh:

 

[kramersteen]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

My friend had a Hondo Les Paul in the 80's... we used to take it out and laugh at it.

You guys were hardcore.

 

[Blille]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

Why not look for an 1980's ibanez destroyer? They are ****ing mint with then some. :laugh:

I like the classic Explorer shape. I'm just looking at ultra cheapo local deals on explorer, Iceman and Firebirds. My preference would be an Iceman. I have zero need for one so I'm just waiting for one to come up

 

[Ayrton]

Re: 80s Hondo Explorer? Deluxe Series 780

A Hondo is firewood.

Hold out for a used IC500