Thanks for the last 20yrs or so!
2020 - Due to a life limiting illness, this site will remain until the
next renewal date but may not be updated again.
Please ensure you have all the info you require as the site will
inevitably disappear sometime in the future.
- Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, Mike Rutherford and so many more!
H8
Travel? Well this one doesn't.
From it's origins in Älvdalen Sweden in L8
1969, it travelled to USA...
It's movements are not documented for many years, but in 2006 it travelled
back to Älvdalen Sweden for
the Festival...
Then back to the 'Big Country' again for 8
months, after which the owner - Manfred - offered it to me, so
in March 2007 it arrived in the UK... where it will join other members of
the family here at the Hagström UK collection.
Darn it, why wasn't made in 1968
just for the effect... oh jeez, you've nothing to complain about, just get
on with it...
While we're here, let's just
consider the importance of quality packaging for these irreplaceable
treasures.
A substantial box with room to
spare, and strong enough not to crumple at first sight.
Plenty of high impact foam layers inside and
outside the original hard case.
Layers and filling of substantial high impact
foam to stop the old case moving around inside the box while in transit.
Why does it matter? Well, now you've
found someone good enough to send it to the UK (an all too often eBay
"issue"), you want
to ensure it can survive the trauma of time, temperatures and travel...
Acceptance, February 20, 2007, 12:08 pm,
xxxx
International Dispatch, February 24, 2007, 6:43 am, MIAMI AMC
Arrived Abroad, February 27, 2007, 11:38 am, GREAT BRITAIN
Into Foreign Customs, February 27, 2007, 5:23 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Out of Foreign Customs, March 02, 2007, 8:11 am, GREAT BRITAIN
(Then pay the import duty VAT and clearance fees...)
Delivered Abroad, March 06, 2007, 4:01 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Phew... made it...
...and boy it was worth it!
So, What's in the Box?
A gorgeous H-8
with original Hard case, and set of Merson / Unicord Distributor warranty
cards...
748069 was crafted in 1969.
Nobody is going to suggest it is still spotless, but certainly a gr8
example of the world's first 8 string bass, the H-8.
Totally solid and in gr8 playing condition, this
beauty is exactly what we needed here, to use, and cre8
music... I've seen some terrible examples of this model, but this is not one of
those. A few touch ups, but no rebuild here!
Amazing considering it's earned more air-miles than many readers here.
Shown here in the
"Spanish Castle Magic position"... (left-wise) - mind you we'll learn
to play it right-handed here!
Click the three pics below to open larger versions:
The Subtle curves we
expect from a vintage Hagstrom
The attention to detail and bright
chromed hardware
The quirky machines layout
unique to the model obviously!
Some 'dings' across the top, made good again...
Now maybe I should send
off the warranty card (ha-ha)
(Click to view You Tube)
Manfred Graeder answers a many time question
regarding the H8 - "what are the string gauges?"
Here's the answer:
E low = .095 E high = .055 A low = .070 A high = .040 D low = .055 D
high = .025 G low = .040 G high = .015
Pictures submitted are posted
in good faith. Please advise if you feel anything should not be posted here.
NOTE: This is a personal appreciation site, not authorised by or affiliated to
the Hagström company, family, or other websites.
Pictures and text sent for submission, appraisal or display are deemed approved
for use in Hagstrom UK projects,
acknowledgement will be given wherever possible, no other recourse or promise is
implied or available,
all presentations are copyright Hagstrom UK projects.
This Hagstrom UK Project is a
free service. GBMusic supports youth live music and community charities.
See:
www.gbmusic.co.uk
www.goldenboulder.org.uk [Just Adverts >
]
There's
nothing like a REAL original Swedish made Hagstrom (and there are loads
around), but if it 'floats your boat', or you can't find an original
then who are we to say?
Plenty has been said already and
will be said forever forward probably.
Only you know what's right for you!