Hondo 935 Deluxe

The sticker visible inside an F hole states the year 1981, so this is the year I will assume it was made. It's feature list is consistent with a Gibson ES-335. Walnut finish, it sports a Nashville style bridge with heavy stop bar. I don't know if the pickups in mine are original because their chrome covers look awfully good to be almost 30 years old, plus I figure these were most likely originally shipped with those OEM Dimarzios without the adjustable pole-pieces. That said you never know because the rest of the chrome hardware looks brand new! Unbelievable. That I find is actually representative of the quality of the guitar in general. They did not cut corners on this guitar.

Grover tuners, mahogany neck and center block, and maple ply body so all correct woods. The neck is two piece with the headstock scarf-jointed on. This of course is a quality joint and some guitar makers (like Taylor) prefer it to a one piece neck. The heel itself is comprised of two pieces which is a little odd. Long neck tenon, and the neck is somewhat beefy, with a D shape that rises out far but has little in the way of shoulders. Mine has a double bound body but an unbound neck. Neck has a volute, and the nut measurement is 1 5/8. The neck is considerably smaller as far as fretboard width when compared to my Greco SA700 which is a perfect copy of a Gibson ES-335. This usually is quite bothersome but not so much in the case of this guitar.

Why that is I'm not certain but I suspect that the reason is that the guitar is perfectly balanced and naturally hangs from the neck in perfect playing position. This constant optimum playing angle seems to eliminate problems that having less fretboard room can cause. The guitar is a little heavy and is built to last. In fact I consider this guitar to be the most solid guitar I've ever owned, and it's a semi hollow for Pete's sake! My Tele's come in second in toughness now. They should make black boxes out of these guitars.

It resonates wonderfully, has that familiar range of complex tones we expect from a 335. Neck can go from funky to jazzy, bridge has a rude tone that really cuts. It's very lively when played acoustically as well- something I find myself doing regularly as a result. If you don't like the stock pickups change them- the guitar has more than enough quality to warrant sinking money into to make it suit you better.

Look this guitar says Hondo sure- but it's one hell of a high quality guitar and it's going to blow you away if you ever play one. I find myself reaching for this over my Greco more often than not.

Almost 30 years after leaving the factory, but the lasting things like finish etc look great.

It doesn't get more dependable than this. Like I said earlier- this is the most solid guitar I've ever owned. It feels like you could hack through the jungles of South America all day with it and play Copacabana Beach all night.

As far as value is concerned this takes the cake. That Hondo name makes people avoid it like the plague, but I'm here to tell you this is on the same level of quality as my American Gibsons, American Fenders, and other MIJ guitars. Because of that tainted moniker these will be the last vestige of the affordable MIJ semi hollows. Yes I contend that at this point of production at least the 935 was MIJ- the quality is just too high for Korea. Although when guitars were first made in Korea they made very nice copies- look at Fenix for proof.

Very versatile guitar, there's little it can't do. Especially when price is factored in it's an obvious choice for Indie music, but feels just as comfortable playing jazz, classic rock, country and more. I want another one.

The sticker visible inside an F hole states the year 1981, so this is the year I will assume it was made. It's feature list is consistent with a Gibson ES-335. Walnut finish, it sports a Nashville style bridge with heavy stop bar. I don't know if the pickups in mine are original because their chrome covers look awfully good to be almost 30 years old, plus I figure these were most likely originally shipped with those OEM Dimarzios without the adjustable pole-pieces. That said you never know because the rest of the chrome hardware looks brand new! Unbelievable. That I find is actually representative of the quality of the guitar in general. They did not cut corners on this guitar.

Grover tuners, mahogany neck and center block, and maple ply body so all correct woods. The neck is two piece with the headstock scarf-jointed on. This of course is a quality joint and some guitar makers (like Taylor) prefer it to a one piece neck. The heel itself is comprised of two pieces which is a little odd. Long neck tenon, and the neck is somewhat beefy, with a D shape that rises out far but has little in the way of shoulders. Mine has a double bound body but an unbound neck. Neck has a volute, and the nut measurement is 1 5/8. The neck is considerably smaller as far as fretboard width when compared to my Greco SA700 which is a perfect copy of a Gibson ES-335. This usually is quite bothersome but not so much in the case of this guitar.

Why that is I'm not certain but I suspect that the reason is that the guitar is perfectly balanced and naturally hangs from the neck in perfect playing position. This constant optimum playing angle seems to eliminate problems that having less fretboard room can cause. The guitar is a little heavy and is built to last. In fact I consider this guitar to be the most solid guitar I've ever owned, and it's a semi hollow for Pete's sake! My Tele's come in second in toughness now. They should make black boxes out of these guitars.

It resonates wonderfully, has that familiar range of complex tones we expect from a 335. Neck can go from funky to jazzy, bridge has a rude tone that really cuts. It's very lively when played acoustically as well- something I find myself doing regularly as a result. If you don't like the stock pickups change them- the guitar has more than enough quality to warrant sinking money into to make it suit you better.

Look this guitar says Hondo sure- but it's one hell of a high quality guitar and it's going to blow you away if you ever play one. I find myself reaching for this over my Greco more often than not.

Almost 30 years after leaving the factory, but the lasting things like finish etc look great.

It doesn't get more dependable than this. Like I said earlier- this is the most solid guitar I've ever owned. It feels like you could hack through the jungles of South America all day with it and play Copacabana Beach all night.

As far as value is concerned this takes the cake. That Hondo name makes people avoid it like the plague, but I'm here to tell you this is on the same level of quality as my American Gibsons, American Fenders, and other MIJ guitars. Because of that tainted moniker these will be the last vestige of the affordable MIJ semi hollows. Yes I contend that at this time at least these were MIJ- the quality is just too high for Korea. Although when guitars were first made in Korea they made very nice copies- look at Fenix for proof.

Very versatile guitar, there's little it can't do. Especially when price is factored in it's an obvious choice for Indie music, but feels just as comfortable playing jazz, classic rock, country and more. I want another one.

Hondo 935 Deluxe
I purchased this second hand in 1981 although it was virtually new and who ever had it before me hadnt used it much if at all.
Came with hard case.
I gigged it hard for 5 years. Absolutely rock solid and then sold it to a college friend. 2 months ago I bumped into this guy after 22 years. It was still in his garage and he had never taken it out to play it !!!! Yup I bought it back and boy Im glad I did.
The pickups combinations are pretty good, in fact the only guitar that stands up against it for tone range is my Rickenbacker and even then its a toss up which I prefer.
great looking guitar and finish is still almost as new !
The gold plate on the bridge is a bit polished off and the machine heads neede oil but apart from that good. Would like a wah bar.

Streets ahead of Epiphone. Cant understand how a relatively unsung guitar manufacturer got it so right. Sound is very full but can also hack good long resonating lead. Some buzzes on E string near nut when real strummed hard. Some one else commented on this , thought it was only mine, odd but not really an issue. Mind you other guitars I have are much worse.
Its loud as well, loudest guitar I own, louder than my ricky and thats pretty loud.
Dislikes, doesnt sit so well on the knee as my strat or tele. Doesny hold tune so well if I bend the strings unlike Ricky which stays in tune like magic.

Action is pretty good. Ive got better but its really very good by most standards. I custom finish most of my guitars, but I wont bother with this as its close enough.
Pickups, great tone, very load, great QED
The dials are a bit scratchy now. probably 22 years in the back of my friends garage didnt help. I shall clean them up soon.
Other than that it all works well.

Used live for 5 years, stuck in a garage for 22 years, unloved and it still looks great.
need i say more.
never do a gig with out a back up.

Ehh ? where are they then ?

playing 33 years.
Own Rickenbackers and Fenders (Had 3 Gibsons, SG, Gold and Flying V but sold em cos I dont like the fret boards.
As I say I recently bought this back and im glad i did, I guess its also nostalgia as its my first Gig guitar from college days, so Im bound to have a soft spot for it. That said it really does play very well, and the sound is great, and its tough, so I havnt got much to fault it on.
I originally chose it cos it looked a bit different, and I could afford it and it came with a case. Hey I was a poor student then!
Id still like a Ricky Bass although I have a Yamaha which is pretty good even if it doesnt look so cool.
Any thing else Id like to share....Yup, when I took it out of its case after 22 years, wiped of some dust and it hadnt changed, then I looked in the mirror and a phrase came to mind....
Love, Live and Laugh alot cos before you know it its gone !

sum beam body with walnut fret board.black plectrum scratch plate.georgous

I play a indie rock post punk sound of music and this cutie can do the buisness can handle being frashed and sounds crisp. exellent at carrying a tune

dont know how it was set up at first. but it feels great. perfect action .pick ups are good for the 1981 model.

ive hammered this guitar gigging and just jamming. and it holds up like a trooper. could last a nuclear explosion.easily. the finish to the body is still glowing looks great. ive got a west bury and id easily leave that peice of rubbish at home with out a thought that i may need a back up very reliable

never dealt with the company no need to this baby is solid

been playing 2yrs i own a west bury lead guitar and expression pedals marshall amps. i bought the guitar second hand for fifty pound...bargain.i love the fact that its an unusual guitar and not your run of the mill epiphone. i wish it had a tremelor bar for a added touch.

like posted above, but i like it all :)
this things rocks, and all those epiphone crap guitars cant get the tone this sucker gets

i play mostly 70s rock, and modern pop/rock like wolfmother, and it can handle it hell good.
the factory hums are ok, but sometimes little muddy on low tones, then just put ur amp on bass: 4 mid:5 high: 6 and all problems are solved.

laminated top, lots of sustain, very good guitar

never gig without a backup!
but this thing is very realible, expecialy because it doesnt has such modern day folyd, which snaps ur strings in like 5 sec

never dealt with them

i bought it for 250 euro
but if i go to my local music shop with 250 euro, i can just get some very muddy epiphone, and this thing owns it hard :)
the modern day new price of this thing prob would be 500-600 euro

Mahogony laminated Walnut, ES335-style, with 2 f-holes.
1982 Serial number and product number inside left f-hole.
Unknown pickups, but apaprently Hondo were using Dimarzio pickups around this time.

Lovely deep and rich chord and lead note sound for jazz and blues; there's a slight 'muddiness' to the central pickup position which another reviewer noted.
Currently used with a crappy 10w practice amp, and a Dodds FX old classic tube pedal. Sounds equally good dry, with a lovely warmth in the humbuckers.

I brought the guitar for ?70GBP from a charity shop July 2006; it was covered in dirt and grime, someone had stuck stickers all over it...despite this, the finish is still in really good condition, and the action is perfect, apart from two worn frets on the top strings, and a rattle on the bass E, which is apparently common on Hondos.
Even though it's 24 years old, the alignment and intonation are still perfect, but the pots are slightly noisy; this may jsut need a service.

Well...it's withstood years of neglect, it seems; as I said, I found it in a charity shop, and it was clear thath the previous owner hadn'ty really played it properly (only fret wear on 2nd Fret 'D' chord!!!!), but just really neglected it. All the hardwear is fine, pickups etc, and despite the dents in it, the finish is still protecting the very tough body. Minimal rust, too.

N/A!!!!

HAve been playing an Epiphone 1992 SG copy since leaving high school, and taught myself jazz and blues; as soon as I picked up the Hondo it felt like a solid guitar, and the sound it gives is way better than the epi. I'd agree with the other reviewer; although it seems very rare, it seems to come from the time when Hondo were producing quality guitars.

I have the only other 935 Delux Hondo. Manufactured in 1981 the inside body sticker indicates Korea as manufactor. I have had this guitar for about 2 years, purchased for $100. I'm as impressed as the other reviewer with the quality of construction. I have replaced the pickups with Gibson Burst-Buckers as the only change on the guitar. I changed pickups because the originals, being of good quality and sound, are two of the same pickup and that offeres a muddy sound when played neck and bridge together. I keep hanging on to the guitar and enjoy it everytime I play it, for what ever form of music I'm Playing. My guitar has a Walnut shade to the finish and it looks great after all the years.

I play older 60s rock and blues and it does a great job with each style. with Gibson Pickups, it sounds like a Gibson, and because it has a laminated top and back it has a deeper sound. I have all the original pots and electrics and they are noiseless.

I purchased the guitar from a pawnshop and it was covered with 22 years of dirt so I have no idea what the factory offered but the neck was still perfect. The action and feel is well dare I say it "just like a Gibson" and I do own several Gibsons.

No rust no issues and going strong after 24 years so I guess the reliability question is answered

Is their still a Hondo??

I have been playing 40 years, yep I'm old and I have owned everything I think or at least played one of everything. I keep thinking I really should not care about this guitar, it's a Hondo. I keep selling other guitars but this one is still around and a mystery because it's not a famous brand name, it's a Hondo. If anyone finds one for sale buy it.

Made in Japan in 1981.
Gibson 335 Dot copy. This was a top of the range model, expensive in it's day and so is quite rare. This is much better than the modern Epiphones et al. Laminated mahogany body with set neck. Lovely deep, rich mahogany finish all over. Bound body, neck and soundholes. Unlike most Hondo guitars the 935 Delux series used best quality everything - including workmanship - which is excellent.
The humbucker pickups are excellent and sound very similar to the Gibson 335 pickups of that era.
It came with a lined hard case.
At the time Hondo also made a cheaper 335 copy, which was nowhere near as good a guitar as the 935 Delux.

Played through a Marshall JTM 60.
Great for rock and roll and jazz. Very rich and mellow.

23 years old and still immaculate. Interestingly, none of the hardware has rusted - quality chrome plating - unlike my Strat. People are suprised that it is "only" a Hondo! Very impressed

23 years old. Still occasionally used for gigs. Still in excellent condition. No worries. Recon its worth a 10

Had no dealings with them.

I have been playing pubs and clubs for 20+ years. If it were ever stolen I would certainly buy another - if I could find one.