Product: Hondo Formula 100
Price Paid: Canadian 600
Submitted
09/22/1998
at
12:35pm
by
Ed Griffin
Email: khajj<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:
8
It was made in Korea, I'm guessing... 1984-87. It has 24 frets, Solid-top. 1 Volume, 2 Tone controls. 3-way selector. 2 Humbuckers. Originally, dunno. They didn't have a name on them. Now: 2 Dimazrio(sp) Humbuckers. Passive electronics. I don't know what the body is made of but, there is a hole in the top pick-up cavity. Finish is a nice Blood red. Solid. It is modeled after the BC Rich Warlock. Bridge is a Floating bridge, meaning, it has a whammy. The strap pegs are really nice, If you put the strap on right, you have to REALLY pull to get it to come off. I've never had it slip of the strap in all the time I've owned it. Frets are a little smaller than standard size, works well for me, no complaints.
Sound
:
8
I play hard rock. Originally, it had a wonderful sound for hard rock. The pick-ups were great, no complaints at all. I use a Peavey Bandit 112. It isn't noisy, and has a great rich, full tone, and it is extremely bright. It sounded better to me than most USA fenders. This guitar has a great clean tone, too, and there is a great variety to it. My only complaint was that it was originally wired wrong, so, I had to sit down and get it working well.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
This guitar had an alright set-up, but, I took it down to a music store and had it completely overhauled, it originally, had alright action, pick-ups were adjusted well, just wired wrong. The bridge was good, just, I hated having to tune it every so often, due to the whammy. Hmmm, flaws, body isn't the greatest quality, still looks great. Good paint job. But, overall, it was OK.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
I'd take this guitar anywhere. The hardware would last for a while, maybe 4-5 years, but, worth the investment. For the price of a Squier Strat, it could easily be worth 3x as much if made by fender! The finish is GREAT!! It'll last!! Like I said, you'd have a TOUGH time getting the strap to come off! Yes, I can depend on this guitar, it hasn't let me down yet :) Yes, I'd use it on a gig without a backup.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never dealt with them.
Overall Rating
:
8
I've been playing for a year, I also own a Yamaha, 2 acoustics. No, If it were lost, or stolen, hell, it wouldn't. I keep a too keen eye on it :). I love it for all of it. Great body, tone, reliablity... I compared it to some fenders, jacksons, and a couple of Gibson's. Found this was the best one for the price, and I didn't feel like paying $1700!
