Hondo Death Dagger H-1 1980s with original chip board case - Black

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

This 1980s Hondo Death Dagger H-1 is a wickedly cool piece of heavy-metal guitar history, finished in sleek black and paired with its original chipboard case.

Bold, angular, and unapologetic in design, the Death Dagger captures the era’s fascination with aggressive shapes and high-output tones. These models have become increasingly collectible as examples of the wild experimentation that defined 1980s guitar manufacturing.

The H-1 features a lightweight body, fast neck, and high-output electronics—everything a metal or hard rock player in the ‘80s would have reached for. Despite its extreme looks, it offers surprisingly comfortable playability. 

The black finish presents well with typical signs of use- a chip or ding here and there on the points of the body and headstock. Paired with the original chipboard case, this piece stands as a distinctive time capsule from an era of pointy guitars and big hair.

Someone added a locking nut to the guitar for some reason.  This appears to be the only change.  The frets are in excellent condition, showing little use.  The neck is straight and the truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments.  

As with every instrument at Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, this Hondo has been fully inspected, photographed accurately, and set up to play at its best.

We buy, sell, and take trades on cool, unusual, and vintage guitars every day.

Excerpts from real online end-user reviews of Hondo instruments:
“Underrated ‘80s sleepers—full of attitude and vibe.” – The Gear Page
“Surprisingly great players once set up properly.” – Reddit r/Guitar
“Classic metal shapes that defined an era.” – Harmony Central
“Fun, collectible, and super distinctive.” – MyLesPaul Forum
“Total nostalgia trip in a guitar.” – Ultimate Guitar

Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site
Vintage and Used Guitar Amps
Gibson Guitars Collection
Vintage Acoustic Guitars
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals

Specs:

• Color: Black 
• Weight: 7lbs 2.5oz
  
• Body: Maple?
  
• Neck: Maple?
  
• Fretboard: Rosewood
  
• Inlays: White Dot
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 24
  
• Nut: Non original nut, 1/2 locking unit installed to give better break angle? See Pics.
  
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
  
• Radius: 7.25" @ 12th fret
  
• Scale: 24.75"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: 
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Overall Length: 
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 
• String gauge: 10-46
  
• Hardware Color: Chrome
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: ?
• Pickup Reading: 
• Original?: ?
• Bridge: 6 Screw Trem
• Tuners: Original Hondo
• Knob: Original
  
• Pot: Original?
• Case: Original Chippy
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.