80s Japanese guitars comparison: Westone Spectrum, Aria Pro 'The Cat', Hondo H77, Yamaha Pacifica
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- Comparing three Japanese/Korean guitars from the 80s that are now approaching vintage status: a Westone Spectrum ST, Aria Pro II 'The Cat' (both from the Matsumoku factory) and Hondo H77. Putting these three side by side with a modern day Yamaha Pacifica 311H.
Yeah, and throwing in Mr Moto!
I love my '86 Westone Spec ST... one of the best tone and sustain and comfortable feeling playing guitars I've ever had... Nice comparison. Cheers!
My Electra Phoenix(pre 1985) and Aria Stray Cat are my favorite options for sure. So much versatility. The tremolo is so smooth on them both.
Thanks, I have a Westone Spectrum just starting to learn on it. It was a good deal used and glad to know it is recommended.
Nice video of nice guitars , thanks! . Some info on the Hondo, the Hondo is 1980's (see the sunrise logo) production of the plywood is prob. Indonesia or India , the electronics are Hondo's own pickups (or Samick 's own .......just how you like it and thus for that period korean). This information is readily available on internet for years 🙂
My 1982 Westone Concord II is easy to play and has a great strat sound - it just doesn't have the expensive Fender logo on the headstock. ;)
I got Spectrum FX.. same shape with your white spectrum..
Neck thru body..
And got 2 tone 1 master volume..
The tone can do pickup split..
I need to do refrets + general setup and can't wait to rockin' it out..
If your 1986 Aria don't say made in Japan stamped on he neck plate, then it is Korean. I heard that the staff at the Korean factory to which production was shifted was first trained by the Matsumoku team. The Koreans have made some fine instruments in their own right.
I tried the 1985 Westone Dynasty. LOVED the neck. Anyone know other Westones that have a similar feel?
My first guitar was a 1985 Hondo Strat copy w 3 single coils, maple board, black with white pick guard. I loved it. A year after I got my Hondo I bought a new or 1986 Arbor super Strat with a black teflon like finish on the back of the neck in black. The body had a red and black striped finish with a black pick guard, hum single single, vintage fender style trem. It had a Jackson style headstock. I also had an import super Strat double neck in neon green. 12 over 6, rear routed for dual humbuckers. I can't remember the brand. It was $500.
My first was an sss Hondo strat with a fixed, tele style bridge, and a three (not five) way switch. Black body and pickguard, maple neck. Must have been a seventies model, I've never seen another copy anywhere. After a couple of years I bought a Squier strat but in retrospect, the Hondo wasn't too bad in comparison.
I bought a 91 Pacifica 921M from Russia a few months ago for about £450 and in terms of bang for buck it's a total win.
The neck is as good as my trusty 91 Ibanez RG570 and the pickups are all DiMarzio.
The Floyd is rock solid and it came in Timewarp condition.
Yamaha guitars are not a sexy brand but damn they are beyond good for the price especially the 90s examples.
Epic guitar. Would highly recommend other guitars from that era from Yamaha.
Luv and Peace.
Hey!!! Do you know what brand is the bridge of the cat?? I have one but it doesn't have the original one and i want to replace it
It was an 'Altex' of 'Artex' bridge that I'd never seen before (and have never seen since). Google won't bring you much here unfortunately. I have since sold the guitar, but it was a fine trem system.
@@PieterVan thank you very much!!!!
got an Aria Pro Sl II ST 3 and its 80's quality and really good player..live in Amsterdam so get in touch we can have a jam...
Great idea, Dan. I must admit that I did sell the Aria in the meantime. Still a great player, better in many respects to other guitars in my possession.
Westone sounds great.
Which one do you like the best?
They're all good to great guitars. I guess I have the greatest affinity with the twang of the Westone. The Hondo has really meaty pickups. The Aria has a great smooth neck.
I have an Area Pro 2 The cat, and the body is playwood, serial number start whit 61.....
The Hondo H77 has fret buzz
I'm pretty sure Hondo II's were made as early as 1980, so your Hondo is likely 1970s. I have a Hondo (not a II) with their script logo.
cc92103 it has the ‘sunrise’ logo on the headstock and according to this website (samick.fandom.com/wiki/Hondo%27s_History), that would rule out the seventies.. I hear lots of bad rep on seventies Hondos. My very very first guitar was a fixed bridge seventies Hondo strat and it wasn’t great, definitely worst compared to this h77.
That site rocks! TY
have the cat. heavy as hell and im sure its plywood. plywood is very heavy. its visible in the back spring cavity
dude how can u have so many instruments that sound so bad. ouch. just pick one and learn how to love it (set it up, etc... ) and digitech what? i bet those guitars would sound way better through different amps. tubes, speakers, etc. ouch
Alex Gordon hahaha!