Two different logos appeared on this headstock around the same time the 'Tree Notes' logo, and the 'Badge' logo. The most common headstock during this period (roughly 1979-1988) is very similar to the 'Fatboy (Version 1)' headstock, just more narrow. The Fatboy returned in 1985 with a new headstock which is very similar to one used on certain Gretsch hollowbodies (and less so, Samick-made Antorias).Ĭomic logo on Arched headstock Arched Headstock īecause Samick's early home-brand guitars were produced in such limited numbers and without serial numbers, it's hard to determine exactly when certain headstocks were used. In 1983, a small number of Fatboys were produced with the 'Deluxe' headstock.

The HL5 (Fatboy) featured it's own headstock until late 1979, when it switched to the 'Wave' headstock. Somehow these guitars managed to fly under Gibson's radar for some time, only apparently getting noticed on Samick brand guitars the year after Hondo stopped production in 1989. They didn't even start working with Gibson until 1985. There are rumors that Samick had a contract with Gibson allowing them to make copies, but this is untrue. The 'Open Book' headstock returned in 1983. Headstock-matching truss rod cover (1980-1986).Fish shaped truss rod cover (1978-1979).Around 1982, models started appearing with a Deluxe Series logo in the center of the headstock (often without any Hondo logo at all), which, by 1983, moved to the truss rod cover and the Sunrise logo was always included.

Early Deluxe Series models still used the 'Hondo II' script logo, before moving to the new Sunrise logo. That was the only model to feature this headstock until 1980, when the Professional Series debuted, using it on all 3x3 style models. However, it's first use actually dates back to 1978 on the HDC model. One of the most common styles found on 3x3 Hondos is what we'll refer to as the 'Deluxe' headstock, because of it's widespread use on Deluxe Series models. Earlier examples used the 'Hondo II' script logo. For reference purposes, we'll call this the 'Wavy' headstock. In late 1979 or 1980, the headstock design was altered slightly, as many manufacturers were doing so to avoid lawsuits after Gibson sued Ibanez in 1977. Wavy headstock with Sunrise logo Wavy Headstock Along with a new lineup of Gibson copies came the block font logo in 1976, followed by the introduction of the classic 'Hondo II' script logo in 1978.

The Gibson 'Open Book' headstock first appeared in 1974 on the HEG-5005. This headstock can be found with all of these logo styles The 'Hondo II' script logo was introduced in 1978, and the 'Sunrise' logo in 1981. Then, the brand was re-named 'Hondo II' and a new block font logo shortly followed. The first logo style used a psychedelic font, from about 1972-1976. This was Hondo's first 3x3 style headstock, most commonly used on acoustics. Paddle headstock with psychedelic logo Paddle Headstock

Hondo guitar serial number dating