Hagstrom?

[Wideglide]

Does anybody have any experience with Hagstrom guitars? I was at a pawnshop today, and saw a strat type guitar, with a gibson style headstock. I did a web search, and it seems they are made in Sweden. It seemed like a decently made guitar, had a low action, and a nice finish. The asking price was $149.....

[muzzaman]

Yep good guitars they make some really nice ones. Sounds like a bargain to me!

Muzza

[Wideglide]

I did a little research on them and found out that when the company started back up in 2004, production is now in China for this model. It's kind of an SG meets Strat. Bolt-on maple neck. Retail is like $459, saw them discounted to like $279-300. Maybe I'll call them and offer $100 or so....

[AllroyPA]

Yea man, go for it ! Is it blue like that picture?

[gaddis]

I remember they were popular entry level guitars in the mid/late 60's. The one I am thinking of was called a Hagstrom III and looked sorta like an SG. I never played one so I can't comment on quality. You didn't see much of them after that, so I am assuming the quality couldn't compete with Fender and Gibson.

[TSims1]

My Dad has an old 70's Hagstrom Swede that is kind of a Les Paul style guitar. My Mom bought it for him as a wedding present, and had his initials engraved into the neck. I've always loved that guitar, and know that someday it will become mine and hold a sentimental value far greater than the worth of the guitar itself. That being said, it actually is a cool guitar that plays well, and generates some really good tones. Hagstroms are cool, and if it felt good to you I say grab it!

[Crimson]

The older ones from 60/70's era etc are the best ones, the ones are out right now are good, but not as good, compared to Epiphone I would say the Hagströms are little better.

Try Hagström Super Swede



Body:
45mm Mahogany with 10mm Carved Maple Top and flamed maple veneer
Neck:
Mahogany, set
Fingerboard:
Resinator Wood with Hagstrom Pearl Block Position Marks
Truss Rod:
H-Expander
Tuning Keys:
Hagstrom 18:1 Die Cast
Scale Length:
25,5“ / 648 mm
Pickups:
2 x Hagstrom Custom 58
Pickup Selector:
3-Way Toggle Switch
Vibrato: Hagstrom TREMAR
Bridge: Tremar Roller Bridge
Controls:
2 x Volume / 2x Tone / Mini Toggle coil tap switch



The rare Hagström III


Here you got Elvis playing a Hagström

YouTube- Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes (1968)

YouTube- Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes (1968)

[peskypesky]

cool bodies. ugly headstocks.

[dhb2000usa]

The Hagstrom guitars from the 60s/70s were made in Sweden. I had a bass I bought in 72' and it was really a great playing/sounding instrument. Then Hagstom went silent (at least in the US) for several years. As I understand it, they're back with similar models from before, except made in China. I'm assuming they use close to original specs, but I don't know for sure.

[Crimson]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

cool bodies. ugly headstocks.

Not all of them had those headstockes

[scotzoid]

Originally Posted by Crimson

Here you got Elvis playing a Hagström

YouTube- Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes (196

LOL, if you look closely, you can see that any guitar Elvis used had "for display purposes only" stamped on it somewhere...

[BigNorm]

I had a Viking (ES335 clone ) and a Swede ( Les Paul clone ). I love their sound, but Fret edges where rough., so I did'nt keep them. They are great quality guitar, but for me, not as good as Epiphone, especially the swede compare to a Les Paul Ultra I had. The Ultra was a lot ahead. If you can find one with a proper fret job, then it would be a very good guitar. My personal experience with Hagstrom was a deception, only for those frets, beside that, those guitars are exceptional IMHO.

[Wideglide]

I'm going to hold off, and see if it's still there next month. I just found a music store in Pittsburgh (about a mile from the shop two of mine are in now), that will sell me a Super Champ XD amp for $249.99. I really wish my guitars at Mannella's would be ready by Saturday, as there is going to be a Fender rep at the other store Saturday, giving 10% cash back on all Fender/Gretsch/Jackson purchases over $100. But it's a two hour drive, and I'd spend $20 on gas to get there and back, and mine in the shop aren't going to be ready until next week.

[Crimson]

One thing that many like on the guitars from Hagström is that they all always have had the new Hagstöm Patented Truss-rod, which allows them to build the necks pretty damn slim, so if you like'em slim you would like Hagström I guess

[Falstaff48]

Reminds me of the old days when some makers would put one or two "T" bars in the neck. Non-adjustable but then..they never needed adjusting.

[Jake D]

I used to have a Hagstrom Viking. Kind of like a 335 type guitar. I wish I still had it. It was really nice for what I paid for it and now I want another 335 type. Go figure.

[67Strat]

I had a Hagstrom III many years ago and it really was the fastest neck I've ever played, amzing playability. I paid around $200 for back in the late 80's and sold it to a friend who still has it. Unfortunately he let it sit out without any care and every one of the many slide switches is toast so it'd need work to get it up and running.

The new ones appear to be well built, kind of similar to the late 90's DeArmond stuff. Probably built in the same Asian factories.

[tonyw]

I had an original black Super Swede i bought second hand in the early 80's, i loved that guitar, had so many tonal variations from crystal to watch out. I dont know what the reproduction models are like. I wish i still had the Haggy but on a whim i swapped it and a Marshall 100w super lead as a deposit for a new 4way touring PA.

[Turtle]

I just bought a Hagstrom Swede this week myself - actually traded even for my MIM strat - i have a usa 89 strat so didn't really need the two of them. Still dialing things in looking for that perfect tone, but it sounds pretty nice. I have removed the pick guard which i found cheap and cheezy looking. The guitar is much better looking with out it i think.

Cheers.....

Turtle