Categories: Guitar Equipment

That’s it. I’m done.

There is no reason to go on.  I have found it.

The all-time, ultimate, absolute pinnacle of guitar adverts.

Clearly, my work here is done.  In case you missed it:

Jungle animals with red ‘Laser-eyes’? Check.

Pink Bandana tied above the elbow, to indicate that the wearer is looking to sell, rather than buy, (PCP? Ritalin? Advil Cold and Sinus?)? Check.

‘One-upping’ the classic EVH-style ‘Axe’ by adding a pointy headstock?  Check.

Pop-metal androgyny? Check.

The ‘Lost Chord’?  Check.

Utterly unconvincing photo-collage work that could only possibly correspond to the psychological landscape of a 12-year-old boy?  Check.

‘Heavy Metal’ typeset in actual-metal? Check.   Let’s see that one more time.

Thank you all for supporting this website over the past two years.  I am retiring to a cottage on the Aran Island of Inis Mor.  Take care.

Previous Hondo coverage on P S Dot Com

chris

View Comments

  • By the time of this ad these Hondo guitars were marginally playable, generally with plywood bodies and fake Floyd Rose trems made out of pot metal. By contrast, Fender was making the Big Comeback, building really decent-if not Callaham/Vintique/Detemple level hardware and hand picked wood-guitars for the first time since Leo packed his stuff and left.

    In fairness though, there was a time when those Hondos were actually halfway decent. Hondo was an importer's brand made at at least five different facilities and some were made on the same line and fixtures as Japan market Fenders....meaning they were good. But pickups and hardware usually are not particularly good even if the wood and woodwork are.

    The moral: Don't overpay. With companies selling entirely playable new Fender clones for under $200 no Hondo other than a Longhorn or a Loverboy whoever-he-was sig model (which were always from the better plants) should bring more than a hundred dollar bill.

  • to first commenter...hmm, fender was making crap in the era of this ad...they were still struggling between sale from CBS to FMIC. This was mid 80s and the era of the crappy elite trem bridge, the first squires from japan. Then right after that in late 80s was era of the am std, plus, ultra, etc with those cold sterile lace sensor pickups, sucky lsr roller nuts that bind, swimming pool routes that suck tone, etc.

Share
Published by
chris
Tags: hondo

Recent Posts

9sides: Preservation Sound Radio March 2024

This month on Preservation Sound Radio: nine side-filling tracks from 1970 thru 1986, all from…

6 days ago

Preservation Sound Radio Feb 2024: best new (old) tracks

This month's show airs Tuesday 2.20.24 at 8:30PM -11:25PM EST on WPKN 89.5 FM in…

1 month ago

PSR January 2024: Contemporary Jazz 1967-1980

The first Preservation Sound Radio program of 2024 will air Tuesday January 16 at 8:30PM…

2 months ago

PSR Dec. 2023: Psychedelic Ballads and Dirges 1966-1976

As aired 8:30PM-11:30PM 12.19.23 on WPKN 89.5 FM Bridgeport. Enjoy. PSR DEC2023 sequence 1. Click…

3 months ago

WPKN FM Preservation Sound Radio 11.21.23

Tonight 11.21.23 8:30 PM EST: special advance broadcast of the P/S Winter 2024 Mixtape. Catch…

4 months ago

Preservation Sound Summer 2023 Mixtape

Here's the tracklist for the 2023 Preservation Sound Summer Mixtape, to be broadcast 8:30PM EST…

8 months ago