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.