The GR8... H-8 Bass

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!

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 Thank you Manfred !