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This guitar was very important in my father in law's life although I guarantee he had no idea of its rarity or worth. I promised him I would be its caretaker for life.I hadn't seen it in a couple of years since I last set it up for him, and although I knew it was a Viking I did not realize which type until my wife brought it home a few nights ago. It survived in wonderful condition even though Jim never had a case for it. I have cleaned it up a ton ( it was filthy) and gotten a case for its protection. As you can see she is a beauty and very much like your bass, which is also very sweet. As you see there is a rich seam of individuality in the examples we have been honoured to share with you. |
Heads Up! (as they say).
CLICK the Picture for more on this 72-73 beauty!
After Bruce's Bubinga above, what can you imagine.
well Olli-Pekka Matikainen brings us (my personal)
favourite sunburst colouring for all Hagstroms.
Fab!
Hello, Here´s a pic of my Viking (most probably -78 - -79 model) with bound f-holes.
The pic quality is unfortunately far from excellent.
I bought it second hand sometime -82 with non-original case.
It is in rather good condition, a luthier replaced a better nut
and took care of fret wear some years ago.
The tone switch operation was a mystery to me
until I found this Hag site. Best Regards, O-P from Finland
How do we follow such a burst of colour and maintain the appreciation for both that and the next.
Tom Naturally brings us a totally wonderful example.
Great site. I purchased my guitar around '79 or '80 from a shop in Buffalo New York. I wanted a Gibson like my idol, Justin Hayward, but to my shock they cost lots of $ which I didn't have, so the Hag caught my eye on the used instrument wall & I purchased it having never heard the name, but liking it's looks & playability. I used this guitar in my 1st pro band playing covers of Top 40 stuff, circa 1983, on the lounge circuit, 6 nights a week for about 6 months before I quit because I missed being away from home so much. I was 23, but had never been on the road & was unprepared for the experience, although I am glad I did it. Excuse the digression, back to the guitar. | |
From looking @ your site, I see Canada is great source of Hags, & Buffalo New York is just south of the Canadian border. less than 30 minutes away if the bridges are not crowded. I have not played this guitar in about ten years, but it is displayed on a wall in our home. My wife & daughter love the way it looks & are fearful I will sell it on Ebay. Not to worry though I tell them, I think it's cool too. I've included some pictures, hopefully not too many, so you can get a look @ it. The worn through part on the neck is where your thumb would be if playing a barre 'c' chord on the 8th fret. Otherwise she looks really pretty w/ minor & small surface scratches on the back & wear from being a road instrument. Overall, a really nice looking guitar. The # on the neck plate is 852033. The guitar resides in a suburb of Buffalo New York just miles from its' original place of purchase, for me anyway. |
Finally, there's a special page on David Feight's fabulous Viking 1N
CLICK THE PICTURE
Dave B. from New York
Sold this Lovely 'Deluxe' Serial Number - 732xxx Deluxe |
Not a 'perfect 10', but not too far off, a very nice example of this
special version. CLICK HERE to open a run-down of all Viking versions made
What else can we show you?
How about a left handed version!
From the second year of production!
Thank you Juan!
Now lets do justice to the beautiful workmanship on this Hag.
gold hardware, triple binding and the rectangular fretboard inlays
Pics of his Hagstrom 310 amp arehere
Now hold on. bear with me. my boy plays a Fender Acoustic so how can I not acknowledge the fender pictured above? So, on this Stratocastic occasion, here's another small rule bender (Fender).
They are great pics anyway. enough, just get on with it Dave.
Lovely angle:So that's how he did it: Magic nearly!
It does seem these were originally sent to Canada exclusively. When I go to Sweden I hope to confirm this suspicion. A well loved example here, S-hole transition model that differs from Anders above, in that it has the later enhanced electrics and pickups like my own example. which came from . Canada !
Great story too Don. Thanks very much for sending your contribution.
I recently came across, and purchased, a Hagstrom Viking. It is sunburst, has a headstock decal, and has pickups that resemble the ones shown on the 12-string shown on the website. It has dot inlays, bound neck and body, the classic Hagstrom trapeze tailpiece with logo, three bolt neck, and a serial number of 693986. In the neck pocket, the number '67' is written in pencil. The strange story is I bought this from a pawn broker who is located right across the street from what used to be a music store that sold Hagstrom instruments, and Vox amps. In 1967 or 1968 I bought a Hagstrom I bass and a Vox Westminster amp from this store and remember this guitar hanging on the wall. The pawn broker told me he was selling this guitar for a widow who's husband had purchased this instrument from the store across the street years ago before they were married. Samudai 1 0. This guitar I now have HAS to be the same one I saw in that store. The guy who bought it was a member of a rival local band. I found out who he was and it was true, it's the same guitar. It's the only one of that particular model the music store ever received. Talk aboutWEIRD..Mike from Illinois.
Now, Matthew Twist from the UK has an unusual. er. 'twist' (apologies Matthew). on Hagstrom ownership.
He has a letter of proof from the Export Manager at Hagstrom. but here's the rub (phew.) it causes a little confusion in itself! (It's another lovely 731 batch Viking I)
1) Look at that lovely wood-grain - you can almost hear it playing already
2) Check out the serial number - back to that later (the rub)
3) A wild youth he said, yes one of a few signs of wear (not all shown) - but this one can be replaced.
4) Last look at that classic Viking I body, then
5) The letter of proof from Carl Lindgren at Albin Hagstrom dated 1978.
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
This is a lovely example - I wonder what wood it is - pity its not Bubinga, however, moving on. the letter states this was made in February 1970. This contradicts the (well thumbed) serial number book some of us have. The book lists batch 731 as being 1968 with a run of 1000.
1968 would also fit with the pre-3+3 headstock, the single coil pickups, and the single toggle switch.
The more I look at this guitar the more I like it, but then you may have noticed my preference for the natural look of wood in some of the guitars in the collection. There's less chance to hide problems true, and Matthew has shown me all the details, but don't you just love it? (Go and lie down in a dark room Dave)
The Hagstrom UK collection Viking can be foundHERE
Ciao a grazie!
Had me worried for a moment. I thought we had the youngest Hagstrom player beat by this one! LovelyViking 1also eh?
Batch 713 - Made in 1967
Ciao David, grazie per tutte le informazioni da te riuscitami ad inviare. Complimenti vivissimi per il tuo sito web e per la cordialità nonchè la puntualità e competenza con la quale rispondi ai tuoi utenti. Per le fotografie da me inviate ti autorizzo a pubblicarle sul tuo sito web per quanto tempo vuoi e apportando pure le modifiche che tu desideri. Ciao a grazie di cuore. Gabriele Busani, Velate (Mi)
Hey, thanks Gabriele, I couldn't have put it better myself (without translation tools anyway!)
And of course.Ciao Ricky! (Pictured)
The 'record' is still safe I hope - Phew!
Gerrit got a Diamond Deal in the Big Apple
Hi, I've certainly enjoyed perusing the interesting stories and beautiful photos on your site.
Back in the 70's I had a Hagstrom Swede just like the one in the photos I've attached. I liked it a lot, but the realities of paying my own way through college forced me to sell it.
While I've enjoyed the fruits of having gone to college, I missed that guitar. recently I became interested in playing again after having been away from music for many years.
I found this guitar, and the Viking, at a dealer of vintage guitars in Rochester, NY (Diamond Strings). Dazzle dvc 100 software for mac.
I bought this Swede (a 1974, just like the one I had), but the 12-string Viking caught my eye as well. I purchased it also, and when I opened the package I was just overwhelmed with how beautiful it was!
It has some very minor finish checking, and that's about all. I had to clean up the electronics a little on both guitars, and had to polish the Swede out a bit, both overall I have two very playable and quite beautiful instruments.
The neck on the Vikingis a bit narrow for a 12-string (especially since I have rather large fingers), but if you tune it down 2 steps and capo the 4th fret you get a great easy-playing 12.
The Swede just plays exactly like I remember my first one playing, easy and fast. Use these photos as you please on you site, or just enjoy them. If you like, I'll try to get some more to you. This message has pictures of the Viking. I will send a follow-on message with pictures of the Swede, to keep the message size low. Best regards, Gerrit
Thanks for the pics and info Gerrit, I love that Viking 12. As a guy who grew up with a 12 string (acoustic BJ12) I can appreciate the fullness and clarity of this style.
I am lucky enough to have a Hagstrom 12 (solid) too, and there I can appreciate your comments regarding string spacing! However, it doesn't take anytime to adjust between the differences, and what a sound eh?
Nice guy that Bruce Diamond by all accounts.
John Seymour brings us this really fine example in January 2007
Hay David, Thank you for getting back to me so Quickly! After I got your Email I did a search and still did not see my particular Hagstrom anywhere that I looked, So I'm sending you some pictures of my Hag! And here is my story. I am 32 years old. I never heard of Hagstrom guitars until I was over at a friend's for a blues jam. My friend pulled it out of a closet and said here try this guitar. That did it, I had to have it! That was 4 years ago and I'm still in love!! I paid 700 Dollars for it and I still consider that a good deal! What a great guitar!! I play it every day. As for the pictures, post them, delete them, whatever you decide! Great web site. I will visit often. Thank you!!
We can see why too! Thanks for the pics John
The guitar is the same age as John. both doin' well as we can see!
Gustavo from Argentina | |
.brings us an example from the very last batch recorded as Viking 1. | |
Hi, my name is Gustavo Farré, I´m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have this beautiful guitar which was during much of it's time in the darkness of it's case. smelling of humidity. horrible! A friend me back sold it to me three or four years ago. She is really pretty and its sound is very sweet. Serial number 791015 What do you think? Is one VIKING 1N TRANSITION Yes Gustavo, a transition model, and a nice matching body and headstock. You certainly got away from the smell by the look of it, and now despite a few 'dings', this is a great example. Nice garden too! |
The Hagstrom UK transition model from 1968 was playing live Rock'n'Roll in 2002 with chris in 'Grease' mode!
Golden Boulder Summer 2002. starting out, Chris and ELLZ aged 8 yrs get into the Rock n Roll
Home Page |Acoustics |Electrics | History
News Page | Catalogues |Hag UK Visitors | HAGSTROM FANS or Click the
Please note: although I will try my best for an occasional request, this site is not an official price record site,
it all depends on the person who wants to sell and the person who wants to buy.
I am no dealer, and therefore can not provide a firm expectation considering the above.
Be patient if you're looking for the right Hagstrom!
There is no price list any more!
Don't be put off now. please send your Hagpics* for sharing with the net !!!
There must be loads of pics around from the last forty years, why not share them with us!
Send stories and (jpg pics please*) to one of the e-mail addresses below
'REAL OLDIES' ARE NOW HERE
go back as far as the 1940's!
The Hagstrom Hub
an attempt to unpick a story!
SEE A NECK TO BODY CONSTRUCTION
FOR A BJARTON HAGSTROM J-45 OR H-33
The Hagstrom UK steel strings together (2002)
Three 12 strings and one of the J-45 6's
The Hagström Acoustic Pick-up unit
The Retail stores would fit this as an option
Read on and below for the main models.
(NOTE: - Some Visitor Links have moved to the specific model page)
BJ12 / H33 / RIO GRANDE
With such a balanced neck you tend to forget the obvious. They hardly ever need much tuning up. I replaced the strings on my old 60's BJ12 in 2001 for the first time in years, (shame on me) but when someone suggested it, I did, and I thought they'd put new bells in Big Ben! To see more, choose one of the following links:UK Acoustics or H33/BJ12 orHagstrom and Me or Western or Rio Grande
J45 / H45 / MISSOURI
CLICK >SEE THE VISITORS PICTURES FOR THE J45 / H45 / B60 FAMILY
HC-4 / ISABELLA / HC-15 / VICTORIA
The guitar on the front of the 1971 catalogue (top of page) is an Isabella or HC-4, again by Bjarton, with ornate marquetry around the sound-hole and distinctive and delicate fretwork infill to the sound-hole.
Click the picture to see the Hagstrom UK example
A beautiful guitar with a tone that matches it's looks!
Imagine Jose Feliciano singing 'Light my Fire'
then filter out the voice (sorry).. yes you got it now.
CLICK >SEE THE VISITORS PICTURES FOR THE ISABELLA / HC4 FAMILY
HC-5 / LA RITA / SENORITA
Hagstrom La Rita - made byBjarton.
This La Rita used to belong to Gordon Giltrap.
See more info on the Hagstrom Fans Page and a link to Gordon Giltrap's own site.
You can find out who bought it by clickingHERE
And see the Hagstrom UK La Rita HERE
See Anders Hagstrom Story for a major project on a La Rita too!
CLICK >SEE THE VISITORS PICTURES FOR THE LA RITA / HC5 FAMILY
Mr Kim Andreassen writes (May 2002)
Hello David,
Well all I can tell you about my Bjarton Rosita is, that I have had it for about 25 years It was new when I bought it. The Nr. is 54202129 I have attached Pics. Regards Mr. Kim Andreassen
Thanks Kim, time for a couple of strings. why not send it over to the UK for a checkup!
Click the advert Icon here to see a Hagstrom Rosita Advert (Groovy eh)
H22 / SAMMY - IN AUSTRALIA ANYWAY
I had never heard of the name Sammy until I was contacted by Alan Dawson from Australia
This model is shallower in the body than a standard folk guitar. Sported regularly by Guy Davis (See also Hagstrom Fans).
CLICK >SEE THE VISITORS PICTURES FOR THE H22 / SAMMY MODEL
Thanks for taking the time Merideth from Dallas, maybe Kwinn can take a look for me sometime.