History of Hagstrom Guitars
Hagstrom is perhaps the only distinguished guitar company ahead out of Sweden. The maker was started by Albin Hagstrom in the 1920s, importing German accordions, as electrical guitars were not yet available. In 1932 they began making their very own accordions. In 1958 the business made its very first electrics. All of these were covered in gleaming celluloid, which was previously used in accordions.
The majority of the original versions were relatively conventional fit, utilizing either an equal double-cutaway design or a rounded-off Les Paul form. Most included 4 single-coils in a placement that made them look like humbuckers. Some designs likewise had a white pearl neck and a clear Perspex fingerboard. Hagstrom-built vibrato units were optional bonus on many models.
The guitars likewise usually featured a dizzying selection of rollers and push-button selectors to divide the pick-ups and also change the sounds. The guitars splurged, and also were not fulfilled with a wonderful bargain of success at first. Players chose the simplicity of the relatively uncomplicated American tools from Fender and also Gibson, as opposed to the tasteless coatings and also difficult controls supplied by European brand names like Hagstrom, Eko, Hofner as well as the massive selection of new Japanese manufacturers.
Hagstrom recognised this and introduced more traditional as well as good-looking guitars. These consisted of the Swede, a Les Paul-shaped guitar, the Viking, a semi-acoustic which would certainly be made use of by Frank Zappa and his kid Dweezil, over three decades later on, and the SG-inspired I, II as well as III models, for sale currently as the F-200.
Regretfully, this was inadequate to conserve the business, and also following boosting competitors from the ever-growing Japanese makers, Hagstrom closed down in 1983.
In 2004, nevertheless, the business was reopened by Tricor Abdominal Muscle, that currently distribute the guitars also. They are made in a dedicated Chinese factory as well as are cost around u20a4 200-750 GBP. The reissues are based upon the guitars made after Hagstrom stopped manufacturing of the lurid-finish 1958-early-1960s age, that is, generally the Swede, F-200 as well as Viking, although with some new versions presented, and also new variations of the traditional designs.
Initial Hagstroms have a substantial cult following due to their rarity and creativity, to the factor that there is a Hagstrom event in Sweden for the initial few days of every June. For their die-hard fans it is excellent to see this old make back in activity.
The maker was begun by Albin Hagstrom in the 1920s, importing German accordions, as electric guitars were not yet offered. In 2004, nevertheless, the company was reopened by Tricor ABDOMINAL, that now distribute the guitars too. The reissues are based on the guitars made after Hagstrom stopped manufacturing of the lurid-finish 1958-early-1960s age, that is, mostly the Swede, F-200 as well as Viking, although with some new designs presented, and drum sets new variations of the classic styles.