Hagstrom Guitars Ha gström Gitar

SPONSORED BY
www.gbmusic.co.uk

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.

FOR SALE

PB-24-G Kent Futurama Up Black Pearl Sparkles Artistic Old Goya The Bat Deluxe Ä PB-24-G Kent Futurama Racy Red Corvette Coronado IV Future Bassed Hagstremely 3 Hagstrom II plus Tiger! Hagstwelve The GR8... H-8 Bass The Viking has Landed Concord Deluxe Flies Dusty the H-IIN-OT Swede-est Feeling King James Dandy Scandi Don't Fret: Scanbass Patch 2000 Super Gorgeous! Ultra Vegetable Japan Protos BJ: meet nephew H Little Jay Reet Petite Isa.. HC4Home Hagstrom and me Hagstrom UK Visitors Hagstrom Fans Full Hag History Short Hag History Hagstrom Electrics Hagstrom Acoustics Hagstrom Amps Catalogues Wanted or Selling Media Files Other Brands Hagstrom Links News 

 

PB-24-G Series - Lucite and Vinyl and wood! (Sold)
Within this series you will find guitars badged Hagstrom, Kent, or Futurama, part of the evolving range out of the original Hagstrom Sparkle into the solid electrics...

This guitar made it's way over from Conway Music in the U.S.A. in March 2004. The pictures look a little lighter than they should, the Lavender tint is still quite distinct. The reverse is simply slightly grubby, and with suitable care will wash clean quite easily. Clearly looked after in the first forty years of its life, I hope to do justice to it's longevity while in my possession. New pictures will be produced soon, to provide more detail, meantime, the advert showed the truth, and here it is on this page...

Totally complete and original, there is little or no fret wear, the action is low and light. Quite remarkable, thanks to the previous owner.

I am relieved that there was no last minute sniping or early finishes, but the latter seemed very unlikely, as the seller was extremely fair, frank, and open with what was on offer. He also shared my concern of the safe passage over here to the UK. Later we will learn to take these things seriously...

This example - 40 years old when received - came straight out of the hard case and I plugged it in and played it.

Once again my thanks also go to UPS for the safe receipt. Not one dent in the outer cardboard box, and with a proper hard case inside it had the best of care and attention!

 

Starting in 1962, this model went through a variety of modifications in it's transition from three-part body, through to the solid model that became the mainstay for so many players through the '60s.

Some of these changes were subtle, from the indented area surrounding the jack socket giving way to a taller socket on a flat body surround, the pickups to begin with fixed position, by 1965 had adjustable height screws.

With or without switch and volume indicator plate, this model even competed with itself under a variety of brand-names from Kent, Futurama, and of course Hagstrom - the manufacturer under any guise. The series name PB-24-G is documented elsewhere, but to recap for those new to the site, beyond Pickup Board we have 2 pickups, 4 switches, and - it's a Guitar - if you hadn't guessed yet.

horizontal rule

The method of construction was indeed unusual by today's standards, but it was of it's time. Beat music, and a flair for colour and curves, brought to us in variations such as baby-blue and lavender, as well as more normal red, black and white. New age materials such as vinyl and plastic sandwiching a wooden body outline, studded body.

Yet this is no toy, it has a bright sound from these - now vintage - pickups. That famous tremolo bar assembly which which suited the Shadows more than Eddie Van Halen (to paraphrase Michael Wright). Finally, and for a while, the throw back to Hagstrom sparkle pu units in the tinted pyramid gauze/panel often referred to as a 'swimming pool' - who first coined that phrase? - Brilliant! 

This in itself a throwback, as though the guitar world was still coming to terms with electric guitars; afraid people would ask where's the acoustic soundhole?

Now lets come down to earth a bit. Common problems with this range of models include the PB (Pickup Board) itself, the whole of the front of the guitar including the 'swimming pool surround area', made of Lucite material which even if strong when made, now needs a bit of respect! Lucite originated in 1931 as a material discovered by Dupont, one of the earliest Hydro-polymer plastics - prized for its clarity and strength, especially compared to nitro cellulose based plastics - it was used for windshields and nosecones on U.S. bombers and fighter planes in the second world war! After the war it was even used for making kitsch furniture and jewellery! So there's a special historical interest in the materials Hagström used let alone the guitar itself...

Many examples have car-windscreen like stress cracks at points of contact. Typically around the jack socket, and maybe where it has received the odd accidental knock, or heaven forbid, where someone has removed and replaced those stud screws too tightly. Imagine the swearing when that happens...   Many have lost chunks, or split at the edges, so it is an understatement to express my relief at the condition of this one.

 

You may have read in the republished Vintage Guitar Magazine history how these were marketed heavily in the USA as part of the early acceptance of Hagstrom as a manufacturer.

Alongside heavier duty, or professional models such as the Corvette / Impala range they provided good alternatives for the growing body of interest in getting into the fab sounds of the day!

Despite the now fragile appearance they were still serious instruments, with a pride of place in the history of the time.

Now following all this unabashed glee, I have to reiterate the warning of finding your own example, beware.

If I go too long without buying something I still get itchy for another Hagstrom guitar. Too much haste makes you buy an honest (or otherwise) project which honestly isn't worth it!

horizontal rule

Maybe in time I will find the necessary parts and expertise to bring my first attempt at getting this model into some sort of desirable state, but meantime, take a look at my own example of "repent at leisure", hardly worthy of the headstock which under the added paint reads:
"Futurama Deluxe II" !

By comparison this one journeyed less than 100 miles to my door, originally a Selmer UK Distributed model from 1963:

 

I could live with:
 - one odd tuner
 - the painted over headstock
 - the ingrained dirt

I could deal with:
 - a small amount of vinyl peel at the edges.

I was disappointed with:
 - both pickups actually cracked right through
 - 2 sheared off screw-heads at the switches

I was perturbed at:
 - the nail in place of one switch screw
 - stress cracks,
    - the biggest at the jack socket,
    - another at the heel of the tremolo.

We shall have to see what a combination of original parts and modern technology can do to restore this "potentially" distinguished example.

    Complain? No way!  It was sold as needing some TLC.
That's all the conscience a seller needs these days it seems...

             Why can't I listen to my own advice?

                         Ah, but no sweat, get over it - We only live once :-)

        Here endeth lesson one!
   
Lesson TWO - take on the project - go see!

horizontal rule

Take a browse through the Catalogues Pages     

CLICK FOR HAGSTROM VISITORS PAGES
 Or click the Red oval button top and bottom of every page for the Main Menu

Home Up

Any questions contributions or comments about this web site are welcome.  All Presentations are Copyright © 2001-2013 Hagstrom.org.uk - Hagstrom UK Projects
IMPORTANT: SEND E-mails to webstrom@hagstrom.org.uk (cut and paste). Please check occasionally - it may change due to junk mail idiots...
 (REPLIES TO YOUR MAIL COME FROM A DIFFERENT ADDRESS)  
EMAILS APPEARING TO COME FROM THE ADDRESS ABOVE ARE JUNK  - PLEASE DELETE !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last site modification: July 13, 2020 18:20 UK Time (Individual pages update more frequently)
 <Hagstrom Models  

         (LOST? )    |    Free Message Forum from Bravenet < Hag UK Forum   |  Hagstrom UK Home page

If you appreciate or enjoy this website, please help toward the costs of upkeep.
 >>>>>>>>>>>> Click the PayPal Icon to
Thank You very much! <<<<<<<<<<<<<

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 >  Free Message Forums from Bravenet ]

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!