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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

The next letter denotes the type:

HE = Hondo Electric Guitar

The next letter denotes the style:

HEG = Hondo Electric Gibson-style

HES = Hondo Electric Strat-style

HEGB = Hondo Electric Gibson-style bass

Finally, the numbers denote the model:

HES-5000 = Hondo Electric Strat-style, model 5000

1976-1979[]

The first letter usually denotes the brand:

H = Hondo

The next few letters denote the model:

HLP = Hondo Les Paul

HFS = Hondo Fender Strat

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

Set-neck models are denoted with an "S" after the model designation:

HLPS = Hondo LP with set-neck

German Carve models are denoted with a "C" after the model designation:

HLPC = Hondo LP with German Carve top

1980 and on[]

The first letter usually denotes the brand:

H = Hondo

The next few numbers denote the model:

H-935 = Hondo 935 model

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

From 1980-1981, set-neck models are denoted with an "S" before the model designation:

HS-740 = Hondo 740 with set-neck

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

Left-handed models are denoted with an "L" before the model designation:

HDL-770 = Hondo 770 left-handed with DiMarzios

KKT tremolo equipped models are denoted with a "K" before the model designation:

HK-7602 = Hondo 7602 with KKT tremolo

Hondo Acoustics[]

Acoustics almost always used the following format:

H-XXX

Or:

H-XXXA

Three numbers denote the model:

H-180 = Hondo model 180

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

Becomes:

Samick EG-1935

1988-1990[]

First letter or two denote model:

LS = Les Paul Standard

SA = Semi-Acoustic

W = Warlock

Next letter denotes bridge or tremolo type (except on Gibson style models):

TO = Tele with fixed bridge

SV = Strat with 6-point vintage tremolo

TM = Tele with 2-point vintage tremolo

IK = I bodystyle with KKT Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo

KJ = K bodystyle with KKT-2 Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo

WR = Warlock with KKT-3 Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo

RL = R bodystyle with Tune-O-Matic and stopbar

YF = Y bodystyle with Kahler Flyer tremolo

Next letter denotes fretboard material:

SAR = Semi-Acoustic with Rosewood fretboard

YVM = Y bodystyle with vintage tremolo and Maple fretboard

YFF = Y bodystyle with Kahler Flyer and Ebonol fretboard

Next letter denotes hardware finish:

SARC = Semi-Acoustic with Rosewood fretboard and chrome hardware

LCRG = Les Paul Custom with Rosewood fretboard and gold hardware

YFFB = Y bodystyle with Kahler Flyer, Ebonol fretboard and black hardware

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-121 < YFFB-821

The last two digits denote pickup arrangement:

01 = "H" (one humbucker)

02 = "HH" or "SH" (single + hum)

03 = "SSS" or "HHH"

20 = "SS"

21 = "SSH"

30 = "HSH"

For example:

SARC-302 & SARC-902 = "HH"

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

SAM = Semi-Acoustic with Maple body

SAT = Semi-Acoustic with "Tiger Tail" flamed Maple body

SAB = Semi-Acoustic with "Bird's Eye" Maple body

YRT = Y bodystyle with KKT-3 and through-neck

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-430 = Chrome hardware

KJ-570 = Black hardware

KJ-670 = Gold hardware

The second digit denotes pickup arrangement.

3 = "SSS" (3 single coils)

4 = "SH" (single coil + humbucker)

5 = "HH"

6 = "SSH"

7 = "HSH"

For example:

KR-560 & KR-660 = SSH

The third and fourth digits are typically reserved for any other special/unique features.

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