The HEG was introduced around 1974 as a copy of the '72-73 Gibson SG I & II models [1]. It replaced the SG-414 and was sold under the Hondo and Cobra brands. Early models had no pickguard and fretboard inlays that extended to the 21st fret. Around 1976, it was replaced by the HSG.
Made in Incheon, Korea by Samick.
HEG-5005[]
- $105 MSRP (ca. 1974)
Body:
- Beveled laminate body construction
Neck:
- Nato bolt-on neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Open Book headstock
- Silk-screened Psychedelic logo
- Silk-screened Cobra logo
- 21 frets
Electronics
- One pickup with mini-humbucker style cover
- Front-mounted controls
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Fish shaped truss rod cover
- Open-gear tuners with oval buttons
- Two-ply pickguard
- Witch Hat knobs
- Compensated wraparound bridge
Finishes:
- Black
- Cherry
- Walnut
Also branded as:
- Cobra HEG-5005
HEG-5006[]
- $115 MSRP (ca. 1974)
Body:
- Beveled laminate body construction
Neck:
- Nato bolt-on neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Open Book headstock
- Silk-screened Psychedelic logo
- Silk-screened Cobra logo
- 21 frets
Electronics
- Two pickups with mini-humbucker style covers
- Front-mounted controls
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Fish shaped truss rod cover
- Open-gear tuners with oval buttons
- Two-ply pickguard
- Witch Hat knobs
- Compensated wraparound bridge
Finishes:
- Black
- Cherry
- Walnut
Also branded as:
- Cobra HEG-5006
HEGB-5004[]
- ~1974-1977
- $159 MSRP (ca. 1974)
Body:
- Beveled laminate body construction
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Nato bolt-on neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays (early models)
- Rosewood fretboard with block inlays (later models)
- Open Book headstock
- Volute
- Silk-screened Psychedelic logo (1974-1975)
- Silk-screened Block logo (1976)
- Silk-screened Script logo (1977)
- 21 frets
Electronics
- Two pickups with mini-humbucker style covers
- One mini-humbucker and one "Mudbucker" style pickup (~1977)
- 3-way switch
- 2 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Fish shaped truss rod cover
- Two-ply pickguard (later models)
- Witch Hat knobs
- Adjustable bridge with chrome cover
Finishes:
- Black
- Cherry
Also branded as:
- Cobra HEGB-5004
- Festival