The H-779 – H-784 models were Hondo's Gibson Explorer copies. Introduced in 1982 as part of the Deluxe Series, the range started with the H-77, which was a version with a 7/8 size body but a full size scale length. The full-size H-779 added a Maple neck and had one humbucker, whereas the H-780 had two. The H-781 offered many special finishes and the H-782 added a set-in neck, solid wood body and 22 frets.
In late 1983, a wider neck plate with an engraved Sunrise logo was introduced. Shortly after, the H-780 joined the Formula 1 Series, adding Grover tuning machines and the H-782 was introduced as a part of the Revival Series. In 1985, the H-783 was introduced, featuring unique body sculpting, along with the range-topping H-784.
H-77[]
- 1983
- $199.95 MSRP
Body:
- Laminated Nato construction
- 7/8 size
Neck:
- Bolt-on Nato neck
- Gloss finish
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Eagle Beak headstock
- Color-matched
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo
- 21 frets
- 24.75" scale
Electronics:
- Two single coil pickups
- Black plastic covers
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Individually enclosed tuning machines
- Black "notched" Speed knobs
- Wraparound bridge/tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Metallic Red (MR)
H-774[]
Same as H-779 3/4 below, but with two humbuckers.
- 1983 (Hondo)
- $299.95 MSRP
- 1985-1993 (Epiphone)
- $239 MSRP (1985)
- $259 MSRP (1985, Black hardware)
- $419 MSRP (1985, Kahler Flyer)
Finishes:
- Cream (CR)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Metallic Black (MBK)
- Metallic Blue (MB)
- Pearl White (PW)
Also branded as:
H-779[]
H-779 3/4 features 7/8 size body, full scale length. HS-779 features Schaller wraparound bridge/tailpiece.
- 1983
- Deluxe Series
- $299.95 MSRP (HS-779 3/4)
- $315.95 MSRP (HS-779)
Body:
- Laminated Nato construction
- Belly carve
- 7/8 size (3/4)
Neck:
- Bolt-on Rock Maple neck
- Gloss finish
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Eagle Beak headstock
- Color-matched
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo
- 21 frets
- 24.75" scale
Electronics:
- One zebra style X-14 humbucker
- 1 Master Volume
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone (3/4)
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Individually enclosed tuning machines
- Lubricated, die-cast tuning machines (HS)
- Engraved Sunrise logos
- 2-ply fish-shaped truss rod cover
- Black "notched" Speed knobs
- Wraparound bridge/tailpiece (3/4)
- Hardtail string-through bridge
- Optional Schaller adjustable wraparound bridge/tailpiece (HS)
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- White (WH)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Metallic Blue (MB)
H-780[]
1983 H-780
- 1982-1984
- Deluxe Series
- Formula 1 Series
- $319.95 MSRP (1983)
- $329.95 MSRP (ML)
- $279.50 CAD (Canada, 1982)
- $289.50 CAD (Metallic finishes)
- $299.50 CAD (ML)
Body:
- Laminated Nato construction
- Multi-Layer laminated Ash/Maple/Nato body (ML)
- Solid Rosewood body (RW/R)
Neck:
- Bolt-on Rock Maple neck
- Rosewood "skunk stripe" (1984)
- Gloss finish
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays (RW/R)
- Eagle Beak headstock
- Color-matched
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo
- Rosewood veneer (RW/R)
- Gibson style nut (1982-1983)
- Fender style nut (1984)
- 21 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Single-ply bound top (GRS)
- Tortoise style
Electronics:
- Two X-14 humbuckers
- Double black or double cream
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Gold hardware (B & GMB)
- Individually enclosed tuning machines
- Grover Rotomatic tuning machines (Formula 1 Series)
- 14:1 ratio
- 2-ply fish-shaped truss rod cover (1982-1983)
- Bullet style truss rod (1984)
- Black or Cream "notched" Speed knobs
- Hardtail string-through bridge
- Optional FFTTM vintage-style 6-point tremolo with 8" steel arm
Finishes:
- Black w/ Gold hardware (B)
- Metallic Black (MB)
- White (WH)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Cherry (CH)
- Blue (BL)
- Metallic Medium Blue (MB)
- Gun Metal Blue w/ Gold hardware (GMB)
- Lime Green Sunburst w/ Celluloid bound top (GRS)
- Multi-Layer Laminate (ML)
- Natural Rosewood w/ Rosewood fretboard (RW/R)
Also branded as:
- Seville
- West 360
H-781[]
- 1982-1984
- Deluxe Series
- Formula 1 Series
- $349.95 MSRP (1983)
Body:
- Laminated Nato construction
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Rock Maple bolt-on neck
- Rosewood "skunk stripe" (mid 1983-1984)
- Rock Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Eagle Beak headstock
- Color-matched headstock (except CB & EXP finishes)
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo
- Silk-screened Formula 1 logo
- Gibson style nut (~1982)
- Fender style nut (~1983-1984)
- 21 frets
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- One X-44 high output humbucker with chrome cover
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Grover Rotomatic tuners (Formula 1)
- 2-ply fish-shaped truss rod cover (~1982)
- Bullet style truss rod (~1983-1984)
- Metal knobs
- Narrow, blank neck plate (~1982-1983)
- Wider neck plate w/ engraved Sunrise logo (~1984)
- Vintage-style 6-point tremolo
- Optional 6-point Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo w/ fine tuners
Finishes:
- Explosion Starburst (EXP)
- Black body w/ White Spiderweb (SW/BW)
- White body w/ Black Spiderweb (SW/WB)
- Blue body w/ Orange Spiderweb (SW/BOR)
- Red w/ Yellow EVH-style tape (VH)
- Black w/ Red/Orange/Yellow Flames (FL)
- Black & White Checkerboard (CB)
- Black & Red Checkerboard w/ Red fretboard (CB)
- Half SW, half VH (VHS)
Also branded as:
- Antares AE-14
- Rounded Fender headstock
- Finishes:
- Metallic Black (MB)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Metallic Blue (MBL)
- Eagle EXP
- Lazer
- Schafer EG-3300
H-782[]
Late 1983
- Late 1983 - 1985
- Revival Series
- $339.95 MSRP (BGS)
- $359.95 MSRP
- $239.95 Street (1984)
Body:
- Solid Ash construction
- Flame Maple "Tiger Tail" veneer (TB & TT)
Neck:
- Set-in Rock Maple neck
- Meets body at 19th fret
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Hockeystick headstock
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo (Late 1983)
- Silk-screened Revival logo
- Gibson style nut
- 22 frets
- 24.75" scale
Binding:
- Single-ply bound top
- Tortoise style binding (N)
Electronics:
- Two X-14 humbuckers
- Super Distortion style polepieces
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- Chrome hardware (BGS)
- Grover Rotomatic tuning machines
- 14:1 ratio
- Single-ply white pickguard
- 2-ply Explorer-style truss rod cover
- Black "notched" Speed knobs
- Wide Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
- Optional FFTTM vintage-style 6-point tremolo with 8" steel arm
- Optional vintage style 4-point tremolo with 8" steel arm
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Translucent Black w/ "Tiger Tail" top (TB)
- Metallic White (MWH)
- White w/ Black hardware (WH/B)
- Metallic Red w/ Black hardware (MR/B)
- Burgundy Sunburst w/ Chrome hardware (BGS)
- Tobacco Tint w/ "Tiger Tail" top (TT)
- Yellowed Natural (YN)
Also branded as:
- Mako LX2 & TX2
- 1988
- Bolt-on neck
- Mako headstock
- Triangular TRC
- Standard tuners
H-782 KT[]
Same as H-782 Revival Series, but with Kahler Flyer tremolo, locking nut and color-matched flame Maple "Tiger Tail" headstock veneer (TT).
- Mid 1984 - 1985
- Revival Series
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Candy Apple Red w/ Chrome hardware (CAR)
- Tobacco Tint w/ "Tiger Tail" top (TT)
- Zebra Red & White (ZBRW)
H-783[]
Optional hardshell case(photo from DeMontGuitars.com)
H-783 KT features Kahler Flyer tremolo.
- 1985
- Formula 1 Series
Body:
- Solid Ash construction
- Original beveled/chiseled design
Neck:
- Rock Maple set-in neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Color-matched neck & headstock
- Jackson headstock
- Silk-screened Formula 1 logo
- Gibson style nut
- 22 frets
- 25.5" scale
(Aftermarket pickups)(photo from DeMontGuitars.com)
Electronics:
- Two X-14 humbuckers
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
- 2 Mini-switches (KT)
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Grover Rotomatic tuners
- 14:1 ratio
- Triangular truss rod cover
- Bullet style truss rod (KT)
- Metal knobs
- FFTTM vintage-style 6-point tremolo with 8" steel arm
- Optional Kahler Flyer tremolo w/ locking nut (KT)
Finishes:
- Black (B)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Zebra Red & White (ZBRW)