Naming Conventions

The naming conventions used by Samick typically follow a simple formula (although exceptions exist).

## Hondo Electrics

### **1972-1975**

The first letter usually denotes the brand:

> **H** = **Hondo**
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The next letter denotes the type:

> **HE** = Hondo **Electric** Guitar
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The next letter denotes the style:

> **HEG** = Hondo Electric **Gibson-style**
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> **HES** = Hondo Electric **Strat-style**
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> **HEGB** = Hondo Electric **Gibson-style** **bass**
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Finally, the numbers denote the model:

> **HES-5000** = Hondo Electric Strat-style, **model 5000**
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### **1976-1979**

The first letter usually denotes the brand:

> **H** = **Hondo**
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The next few letters denote the model:

> **HLP** = Hondo **Les Paul**
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> **HFS** = Hondo **Fender Strat**
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Now, if a guitar features DiMarzio pickups, that is denoted by a "D", which is inserted before the model designation:

> **HDLP** = Hondo LP with **DiMarzios**
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Set-neck models are denoted with an "S" after the model designation:

> **HLPS** = Hondo LP with **set-neck**
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German Carve models are denoted with a "C" after the model designation:

> **HLPC** = Hondo LP with **German Carve top**
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### **1980 and on**

The first letter usually denotes the brand:

> **H** = **Hondo**
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The next few numbers denote the model:

> **H-935** = Hondo **935 model**
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Now, if a guitar features DiMarzio pickups, that is denoted by a "D", which is inserted before the model designation:

> **HD-935** = Hondo 935 with **DiMarzios**
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From 1980-1981, set-neck models are denoted with an "S" before the model designation:

> **HS-740** = Hondo 740 with **set-neck**
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After 1981, there was no designation for a set-neck.

From 1982-on, Schaller bridge equipped models are denoted with an "S" before the model designation:

> **HS-737** = Hondo 737 with **Schaller bridge**
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Left-handed models are denoted with an "L" before the model designation:

> **HDL-770** = Hondo 770 **left-handed** with DiMarzios
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KKT tremolo equipped models are denoted with a "K" before the model designation:

> **HK-7602** = Hondo 7602 with **KKT tremolo**
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## Hondo Acoustics

Acoustics almost always used the following format:

> H-XXX
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Or:

> H-XXXA
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Three numbers denote the model:

> **H-180** = Hondo **model 180**
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## Samick

### **1972-1987**

All electric guitars start with the prefix "EG" followed by a number to designate the model. Basses use the prefix "EGB". Most of the model numbers correlate to the Hondo model they are based on, just increasing the number by 1,000. For example:

> Hondo H-**935**
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Becomes:

> Samick EG-1**935**
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### **1988-1990**

First letter or two denote model:

> **LS** = **Les Paul Standard**
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> **SA** = **Semi-Acoustic**
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> **W** = **Warlock**
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Next letter denotes bridge or tremolo type (**except on Gibson style models**):

> **TO** = Tele with **fixed bridge**
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> **SV** = Strat with **6-point vintage tremolo**
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> **TM** = Tele with **2-point vintage tremolo**
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> **IK** = I bodystyle with **KKT Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo**
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> **KJ** = K bodystyle with **KKT-2 Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo**
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> **WR** = Warlock with **KKT-3 Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo**
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> **RL** = R bodystyle with **Tune-O-Matic and stopbar**
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> **YF** = Y bodystyle with **Kahler Flyer tremolo**
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Next letter denotes fretboard material:

> **SAR** = Semi-Acoustic with **Rosewood fretboard**
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> **YVM** = Y bodystyle with vintage tremolo and **Maple fretboard**
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> **YFF** = Y bodystyle with Kahler Flyer and **Ebonol fretboard**
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Next letter denotes hardware finish:

> **SARC** = Semi-Acoustic with Rosewood fretboard and **chrome hardware**
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> **LCRG** = Les Paul Custom with Rosewood fretboard and **gold hardware**
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> **YFFB** = Y bodystyle with Kahler Flyer, Ebonol fretboard and **black hardware**
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Finally, a three-digit number. The number designations also held significance; the first digit signified it's hierarchy position (the higher the number, the higher it sits).

> YRRG-**1**21 < YFFB-**8**21
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The last two digits denote pickup arrangement:

> **01** = "**H**" (one humbucker)
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> **02** = "**HH**" or "**SH**" (single + hum)
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> **03** = "**SSS**" or "**HHH**"
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> **20** = "**SS**"
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> **21** = "**SSH**"
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> **30** = "**HSH**"
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**For example:**

> SARC-3**02** & SARC-9**02** = "**HH**"
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### **1991-2002**

In 1991, the formula was simplified by removing the last two letters (fretboard and hardware finish) and the number designations were changed. Also, for the SA the last letter now denoted body material. For other models, it stayed as the bridge/tremolo designation. Through-neck models add a "T" at the end. Towards the end of the 1990s, new models arrived bearing 4-digits at the end of their name. Those models also abide by these rules, and the extra digit at the end denotes a special characteristic.

> **SAN** = Semi-Acoustic with **Nato body**
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> **SAM** = Semi-Acoustic with **Maple body**
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> **SAT** = Semi-Acoustic with **"Tiger Tail" flamed Maple body**
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> **SAB** = Semi-Acoustic with **"Bird's Eye" Maple body**
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> **YRT** = Y bodystyle with KKT-3 and **through-neck**
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However, many models did not follow these rules (SG, FV, LS, LC, HJ, HF).

The first digit's significance was changed to represent the hardware finish. Everything from 1-4 has chrome hardware, 5 denotes black hardware and 6-9 denotes gold hardware.

> KJ-**4**30 = Chrome hardware
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> KJ-**5**70 = Black hardware
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> KJ-**6**70 = Gold hardware
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The second digit denotes pickup arrangement.

> **3** = "**SSS**" (3 single coils)
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> **4** = "**SH**" (single coil + humbucker)
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> **5** = "**HH**"
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> **6** = "**SSH**"
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> **7** = "**HSH**"
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**For example:**

> KR-5**6**0 & KR-6**6**0 = SSH
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The third and fourth digits are typically reserved for any other special/unique features.