 HAGSTROM | | ELECTRIC: 1950S-1980S MFG | Some Hagstrom models encountered at guitar shops and shows include the 1959 Les Paul-styled ESP 24 hollowbody and four pickup EDP 46 De Luxe. These have all wood hollowbody interior construction with plastic exterior and were available in sparkle, pearloid or plain with a white pearloid "mother of toilet seat" fingerboard.
Some of the more frequently seen models are the Kent I and H I, equipped with two single coil pickups and 4 control slide switches. These had a complete Lucite molded top and vinyl back. The H II and H III models are easy to identify because the name is on the headstock, and the number of pickups corresponds with the model number. (it is important to note that original parts for these guitars, especially the switches, are very difficult to find). Later came the H II N which had two humbucker pickups.
The Viking I is equipped with two single coil pickups, one selector switch, individual tone and volume controls for each pickup and six-in-line tuners. As the Viking line is a semi-hollowbody, these have more of a 335 vibe to them. The Viking II is similar to the V I , except it has gold hardware and accents. (this is sometimes called the "Elvis guitar" as Elvis briefly played one in his '68 comeback) The Viking I N (or Scandia) was equipped with two humbucker pickups, D'Aquisto-designed three-on-one-side tuners, separate volume and tone controls, pickup selector and a tone selector. It has a plain badge on the headstock. The Viking looks identical to the V I N except it has a floral headstock badge and a wood center block in the thinline hollowbody.
1963 brought out one of Hagstrom's more unusual desings with the introduction of the Impala and Corvette. Shaped much like the Fender Jaguar, the necks were contoured and filled so they blended and flowed directly into the body. When the guitars began being imported into the U.S., the Corvette name had to be changed to Condor, as Gretsch already had the Corvette name registered.
Hagstrom's Swede, a Les Paul-derived solidbody electric, was introduced in 1970. The suggested list price for the Swede (Model 803) in 1975 was $640. In 1977, the Super Swede made its debut. 1977 brought about the Scandi, a three single coil Strat-ish style. Most Hagstrom models had a corresponding bass available.
In 1969, Hagstrom debuted an f-hole archtop model designed by James D'Aquisto. The body was made of nine-ply laminate birch, these guitars were actually produced by Bjarton of Bjarnum, Sweden for Hagstrom. In 1976, Hagstrom manufactured and reintroduced the Jimmy model and in 1977 added the oval hole model. D'Aquisto did not make these guitars for Hagstrom. However he did purchase bodies from Hagstrom and used them in his own line of hollowbody electrics.
Hagstrom and Ampeg teamed up and introduced the Patch 2000 guitar and synthesizer system in 1976. This system of a modified Swede model plus a footpedal had a list price of $2,000 in 1977. Due to the wiring design, it is advisable that you purchase both at the same time if the intention is to use it with a synthesizer. However the instrument plays as any other without the pedal.
It should be noted that the values decrease significantly when the conditions are 80% or less, as replacement parts for Hagstrom guitars and basses are very difficult to find.
The publisher would like to thank Mr. Kwinn Kastrosky for his significant contributions to the Hagstrom section. | | CORVETTE CONDOR | | - 3 single coil pickups, otherwise identical to the Impala. |
| F12-S | | - 12-string version of the H II. |
| H II (F-200) | | - similar to the H I but with all wood body, standand style pickguard and top mount angled jack plate, 2 single coil pickups, 4 control switches/1 standby switch. |
| H III (F-300) | | - same as H II except has 3 single coils, 6 control/1 standby switch. |
| H II N (HG 801) | | - birch body and neck, 2 humbuckers, 3-way pickups switch, 2 volume/2 tone control, adjustable bridge, Hagstrom "tremar" tremelo. |
| H II N OT (HG 800) | | - same as the H II N except without tremelo. |
| HAGSTROM "JIMMY" D'AQUISTO | | - single cutaway w/ f-holes, laminate birch ached top and back, adjustable ebony saddle and bridge base, 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/2 tone contols, 3-position pickup selector, 20-fret birch neck with ebony fretboard, block inlay, 24.75 in. scale, body length 20 in., width 15.75 in., depth 2.75 in. |
| "Jimmy" Oval-hole | | - same body dimensions as the f-hole but with single oval hole, 1 humbucker pickup mounted in the soundhole, 1 volume/1 tone control mounted on the floating pickguard, nickel plated tailpiece. |
| IMPALA | | - double cutaway, neck-through design, 2 single coils, 6 inline tuners, 8 control rocker switch bank w/ separate volume for rhythm and lead. |
| KENT I/H I (F-11) | | - double cutaway plastic top vinyl covered back Strat-ish style design, 4 control switches, 1 volume control, two single coil, 6 in line tuners. |
| SCANDI | | - very Strat-ish body style, ash body and neck, solid maple fretboard with black dot inlay, 3 covered single coils, 1 volume/3 tone controls, 3 individual pickups selector switches, 6 in-line Schaller machines, 2 tail strap buttons. |
| SUPER SWEDE | | - single cutaway Les Paul-ish, maple body and neck, zero fret, jumbo silver nickel frets, set neck w/ ebony board and block inlay, 2 humbuckers, coil tapping switch, 3-way pickup selector, indiviual string tailpieces, fully adjustable roller bearing bridge, 2 tail strap buttons. |
| SWEDE | | - Les Paul-ish in design, mahogany body and neck, 3-position tone/3-position pickup selector, ebony fretboard w/ block inlay, 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/2 tone controls, 3 on a side D'Aquisto Van Ghent machine heads, floral design on headstock, bolt on neck. |
| VIKING I | | - thinline laminate f-hole hollowbody, 3-way toggle, 2 volume/2 tone control, 6 in line tuners, chrome fittings, dot inlays on rosewood fingerboard. |
| VIKING II | | - same look as the V I except with gold plated fittings and accessories. Block inlays on ebony fretboard, mfg. 1967-68. |
| VIKING I N (HG 802) | | - 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/2 tone controls, 3-position tone/3-position pickup switch, 3 on a side D'Aquisto designed Van Ghent tuners, plain badge on headstock, rosewood bridge base. |
| VIKING | | - similar to the Viking I N, but the body contains a solid wood center block, floral design on the headstock instead of the plain badge. |
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