Visit to Sweden - October
2005 JULY VISIT
| HOMEPAGE | JUNE
2006
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We
checked into the Scandic Hotell close by to the perfect combination Folkets Hus
centre in Östersund. Bright airy main hall, with two stages and all the
facilities you need for a local or international event. Without over-doing the
latter this was an international event with a long awaited meeting for a few USA
Hagstrom devotees. Bill Marriott had been touring around already, John Haskin
had arrived with his grand-daughter, and Manfred Graeder was about to arrive. I
sometimes forget I'm considered 'international' in all this; I am blessed to
enjoy the friendship I get through Hagstrom as if it was part of my everyday
life now.
For certain if it hadn't have been for my 12 string back in 1974, I'd never
have made so many good connections, friends or visits over the years. We gave a
toast to Kwinn who didn't make it over this time, and to Anders Karlsson our
good friend and travelling companion last July. Anders was recovering from a
quite major operation, we wish him a speedy recovery...
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If you'd ever wanted to get up close and interactive
with the whole Hagström experience, then this was a great
opportunity.
Collections were carefully transported along with much
of the Hagstrom Museum contents.
With bands like Larz Kristerz providing authentic and
very professional sounds from the eras of Hagström instruments and PA. |
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The GA-140 is an interesting set up. The idea being that
the controls and interface are housed in the 'head' with most of the
actual amp and electronics housed in the speaker cabinet below.
I can't remember why now, but the key thing is there are very few
around like this anymore... the heat in the cabinet had a tendency to blow
the whole system if it was left on too long!
Hagstrom were known for trying all kinds of things out and I heard a
few interesting stories about some of the.... er... "R and D" that took
place in the factories.
Thankfully the GA-140 was unusual in this outcome. |
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The BT100 system is not as loud as some other Hagstrom
offerings, but was never-the-less very capable |
<- Left you see part of the famous Stereo PA and systems
set up and adapted by Len Johansson for ABBA to use on tour. Does he
regret not actually taking up the offer of doing the whole sound
engineering thing for them? Well he has a great life, and a wonderful home
on an island... hmmm, didn't answer the question though!
Below you see more of the early offerings such as a 210
Bass head and Cabinet
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 Chris wanted to
play (doesn't he always). Well it was a bit different here...It's not
like a commercial show, with all these treasures being exhibited, there
was an obvious concern at an 11 year old wanting "to have a go" too.
Players were very much pre-arranged...
It was a great coincidence that John's grand-daughter Morgon was also
at the event. Both 11 year olds had a good time at Östersund and then when
we moved on to Älvdalen afterwards... |
| In any case he got a pretty good chance to
play on Arne's own collection, so he couldn't complain! |
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