Info, opinion's, and thought's???

[oldgoat62]

My Early '80's Revival by Hondo.....(TOKAI???)

[oldgoat62]

to elaborate on this guitar some more: The pic's were taken on a friend's I-phone.....so the color/tint of the original clear (poly?) finish appear's a bit lighter than it actually is. It's more of a honey-color. And, to the trained eye, there are many non-original part's on this axe. There is a reason for that. I got it CHEAP, meaning that it had no electronic's, hardware, or pickguard when I obtained her in January.....all of the part's on this rig are spare's....the pickguard was made for a Gibson Explorer '76. This is my main guitar now for home-recording and playing.

[hudsonnh]

Not bad!

I picked up an Aria Pro II Explorer type for $100 a few months ago.
Actually a MIJ "Aria Pro II ZZ Deluxe"....1983 or a984...
The plan is to finish as a natural body and keep the back of the neck and headstock black.

oh - where did you get the pickguard...something you already had hanging around?
I'm going to need a pickguard for my project....but something not real pricey....

[oldgoat62]

Thank you hudsonnh.......the pickguard was made by Terrapin Guitar's, who I believe make the best replacement or custom pickguard's anywhere. Prices are reasonable, and comparable to any other place around.........the Explorer '76 pickguard was pretty much a drop-in for my Revival (a little CAREFUL whittling was involved to fit it better). And a couple of the screw hole's didn't line-up. No biggie.....just drilled a couple tiny hole's in the guitar body.
For your Aria ZZ though, which had no 'guard to begin with, a custom-made one would do it. You'll have to send them an accurate tracing of what you want. Make allowances for pickup ring's/bezel's and anything else like the pickup selector switch.

[VintAxe]

Hi oldgoat62.

I can't say for sure but I suspect your Z was built in Korea rather than by Tokai in Japan. I'm familiar with the assertion that some Hondos were built in Japan but I've only see reasonable support for this idea in the Hondo "Professional" series guitars. If someone knows for sure which Hondo models were built in Japan please let us know. I have a 1981 Hondo Longhorn copy that I'm pretty sure is Japanese and I think other guitars from the series are as well.

[oldgoat62]

Thank's for the reply VintAxe.....You do make a good point.......I'm not sure where the Revival Explorer was made....some say it could have been made in Korea at a Samick factory. But I have accepted the fact that I may never know. I figure it's a quality instrument made in either country.....I've had a couple great Korean guitar's as well as a couple excellent Japan-made axes......I'm happy to say I can experience using such instrument's still today.
Also....people should check out any example's of the CANVAS CMF-20 (chinese-made?) guitar.....they stopped making 'em a few year's ago......mahogany body, bolt-on maple neck, two alnico humbucker's, 24 fret's, 25.5" scale, and a wrap-around gibson/prs-type bridge/tailpiece......Sleeper Guitar! for sure.....instant metal.