Hagstrom Guitars Hagström Gitar |
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>>> UPDATES:
FRANKFURT 2005
- HAGSTROM UK REPORT ON THE SHOW...
There's no rush job here, they've taken a year or more to develop based on original specs supplied by the Hagstrom family (third generation), and the trade shows were all over them by some accounts, so lets take a look, then pass you on to the vendors! Don't get too excited just yet (August 2004), but USA volume shipping is quoted as pre-Christmas 2004, so if you just can't get a Swede or a Viking, you're not a purist of the story, then read on... I won't replicate the details found on the new website (I'd hate it if they did that to me), but simply provide what I can see. When the samples arrive I'll tell you what you can feel and hear too! First off there seems to be two thrusts in the launch of these models. One: Find out what's important in the guitar, and try to get it right. So where do we start. Let's be obvious shall we? THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY There's a good attention to some of the key details. I mentioned the Tuners above, but the tailpiece on the stop tail models employs the same system as used on the late Swede and SuperSwede models (See base of page). Alternatives according to model used a fair rendition of the harp shape although as yet without that splendid lion crest from what I've seen. This same tail appears on the traditional style Jazz model which sets it
apart from the original Jimmy F. After this there is a departure. We all know
the well loved Hagstrom Tremelo unit was more suited to the Shadows than Van
Halen (to paraphrase Michael Wright yet again), well hopefully a leap forward
without the issues of the Ultra Swede, we now see a modern full contact bridge
tremelo system which is claimed to "outperform all others" - a bold claim that I
would be foolish to write off without trying. Maybe there's an argument for reviving all that was different about Hagstrom. But that would be very expensive. I don't even have confirmation of the manufacturing route yet, but even if they're 'USA made' for some of the models it won't be quite what it seems. Likely we'll see USA woods from someone like Court that makes it's way to China, Korea, or wherever, gets shaped finished and packed back via Sammick before final assembly in USA... just like some Ibanez et al were. When we have courageous marketing info then I'll let you know for sure. Meantime, however they arrive with us, it will be the sound, feel, and finish quality that's important. There are times I've heard people whisper they'd rather have an Epi to a Gib just for finish quality these days! The one thing that hits me in the face I'm afraid is those dials. Maybe the closest available now, but they remind me more of a disco console than a 70's guitar. Hopefully when these guitar sales take off, there'll be the opportunity to source something a bit more subtle. Yes, OK they're the prototypes I know... sorry but years of looking at old ones makes you picky! It is a NEW CHAPTER in the brand, and be precious about our original hand crafted Swedish examples till they outlive us all. Meantime until we've played this generation it may be wise to pluck before we speak, especially if we're inclined to write it off as as simply opportunistic - it may well be what we've wanted as well - and that headstock still looks the business! We had One and Two above... there is one more of course: Speaking with others who've seen them "in the flesh" they CAN turn the hardest critic around. What can be achieved today from whatever route is used, can be very impressive. I truly hope that will be the case... and not just compared with history... TO SEE PICTURES OF THE PROTOTYPE MODELS FOLLOW THE SMALL LINKS HERE, TO GET MORE DETAILS FOLLOW LINKS TO THE MAIN AM&S SITE - THROUGH THE PICTURE BELOW AND OTHER LINKS AROUND THIS SITE. VIKING - SWEDE - HJ600 - HL550 - F200 - F200P- F300 - SUPERSWEDE - DELUXE
THE FULL HAGSTROM
HISTORY (REVISED VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE ACCOUNT) |
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Hagstrom.org.uk - Hagstrom UK
Projects
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Well, take
your pick, there's a new breed of Hag on the block, and irrespective of your
views, they're going to coax and coax till you take a try... Not a complete
reissue story, not even an exact one in many ways, but a serious attempt to
bring back the flavour of what we all go crazy for on eBay these days.
