Hagstrom Guitars Hagström Gitar |
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Hagstrom Stories.
It is one of the biggest rewards of this
project
Jacques from
Some evident modification, in the
pictures below, but hey, DiMarzio pickups For most people the SuperSwede Hagstrom
is "the business". Then over a few days the story
unfolded
Hello David, Well here is the full story, cut short though. I always wanted to play in a band since I was 12 or 13. My father allowed me to take lessons. After having a few, I found myself too impatient, so I looked at the players in those days and stole the chords. At that time I was sweet sixteen. I found a willing drummer and a bassplayer. We started in a local youth-center, where we played for free, but we did not have to pay for rent, while practising. Pretty soon after we managed to play some Stones covers, as well as Chuck Berry and Animals (there is a house in New Orleans) and the classic Gloria by Them. We were the highlight of the week in my small hometown on a Friday night. I wanted a new electric guitar, I played on an acoustic with pick-up in the hole. My father went along with me to The Hague (in those days the Liverpool of Holland) to a guitarshop to buy a 2nd hand. There were a 150 or more guitars hanging on the wall. I never looked at them! I saw the Hag. Blue and white neck, covered with plastic. "I want that one", I said. My father paid 135,00Dfl, which was at that time about 40 Usd. I played it for a year. I only bought it for the looks. When on stage I felt I was the man. The band split and I had other worries (school) So i sold
(*!!!!!!*) her for 150,00Dfl to a schoolmate. He never knew I had some profit.
Years went by and in the 80-tees I read some stuff about Hagstrom in a Music-mag.
Two weeks later I happened to be in a flea-market and saw the HIIN, bought it just for fun, because I used to have one. Then came the SuperSwede on my path, in a music store. She stood between some cheap 2nd hand guitars. I asked for the price. The man told a long story etc, etc. Anyway I bought her, coz of the sound. Never heard anything like this before without using any pedal (i hate them). Inside the case was a sticker with a ph#,so I called. The SuperSwede belonged to a famous Dutch guitar player. I asked: "why sell?" He said; "I do not need two models. I used this one in the studio for recording on a few songs." "Ok", I said. And here is where Jimmy comes in. In a music-mag ad for sale
Hagstrom Jimmy. I phoned and asked, what's the price and where are you? I ran
into my car and after an hours drive I was the second owner. Belonged to a very
young student. He was learning how to play jazz and his teacher said, you are
good now and need a another guitar. So he sold her to me. All 3 of the Hags are
bought on nostalgia, coz I had one. To cut it really short now, some years ago we had a school-reunion. I saw Rene and the first thing I said to him: do you still have that blue plastic guitar. He answered with a smile; "You mean the Hagstrom, Yeah." "Can I buy it back??" Short answer;;;;"No!" This was 3 years ago! After digging I found a pic of me and the blue guitar, it really makes me feel blue again. Anyway I'll send it to you. It makes me feel longing for those years again, coz I had such a great time in the 60-tees. I even went to London in 68 to watch the bands there. What you'll see on the pic is me and my blueyee, a self-made amp and a Selmer speakercabinet. I still have all my guitars, never sold them, except the Hag!!! Thank you again for so beautifully exposing my babies. You have done a great job and I love the site. Many others will do so, I think. Hagstrom, what a story. I agree on your comment about re-issues. I will not buy one. Thanks again and good luck, regards. Jacques.
More on the Jimmy, as this is a great piece of history in it's own right:
Hi David, I forgot to mention that I had been able to contact the guy ,who was a guitar builder in Älvdalen (Sweden). I did that when I found out that they were still in business. The name of this man was Pete Ollson. He could tell by the sr.# who build the instrument. I gave him the # and he said: I built that one! He invited me to come to Sweden and would show me all. That was in 1988, sixteen years ago!!! I did not go, now I regret that. I should have done so. He was ever so friendly, and said Take care of your guitar, coz I built that one. It is one of the best ever left this factory. The wood came out the forest where the factory was located. He said, sometimes we need one tree for a right piece to make the body. Can you believe that. A whole tree for just ONE plain guitar. Nowadays they'll hang you for that. Regards and much admiration for building such a lovely site. Jacques
You have my admiration in return Jacques - Thank you for taking the time and effort to send this content and information to Hagstrom UK. That Jimmy really me go all 'arty', so
please excuse my animation shown above, made from your original pictures. This Hagstrom thing is a real addiction,
and as Kwinn said recently, he's even tried the Hagstrom Patch,
There was a final part to the SuperSwede story too. Jacques
sold it and the new owner managed to get a new cover for the tailpiece from
Music Meyer Import.
There must be loads of stories (and pics) around from the last forty years, why not share them with us! |
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