Hagstrom
Hagström (also Hagstrom ) was a Swedish instrument manufacturer who is best known for its electric guitars . The company was founded by Albin Hagström , who traded in musical instruments in Sweden , on January 19, 1925 in Älvdalen , Sweden. From 1925 Hagström existed as a registered company. At first only accordions were made, but when it became more and more difficult to sell these instruments in the 1950s, guitars were developed with the support of the well-known manufacturers Fender, Korg and Pearl and built from 1958 onwards. Still further, were electric basses and amplifiers and speakers made.
Until 1982 Hagström manufactured instruments under the Hagstrom, Kent, Goya and Futurama brands. In 1982 production was stopped for economic reasons. Since 2005, some Hagström guitar models have been reissued under the same name in China and the USA.
Accordions
In 1932 the production of accordions began in Älvdalen . Soon afterwards the distribution of the instruments was expanded to Denmark , Finland and the USA . After 20 years of production, Hagström peaked in 1952 with 15,000 accordions made in the same year.
A guitars
Hagström opened up in the 1950s to gain higher market share: the manufacture of acoustic guitars began. This change in strategy proved successful. Shortly thereafter, the accordion market collapsed. In 1952 Albin Hagström dies, his son Karl Erik takes over the management of the company. Karl Erik Hagström's experience in the USA and his contacts with industry giants such as Fender and Korg helped him to achieve continued success.
Electric guitars
With the beginning of the rock 'n' roll era, electric guitars also became interesting for Hagström. The first electric guitar models from 1958 already had several independent properties: With the patented "H-Bar", a truss rod with an H-shaped cross section was built into the guitar necks, which was very stable and at the same time light. In addition, this technique allowed a particularly narrow neck construction. Other noticeable features were a “Speed-O-Matic” fingerboard, which was made of acrylic. The Hagström guitars of the 1960s were also often covered with plastic from accordion construction. This imitation mother-of-pearl lets the guitars shine particularly spectacularly in the light.
Many Hagström guitar models were clearly based on prominent models: The Hagström Swede largely corresponds to a Gibson Les Paul . The Hagström I, II and III look similar to the Fender Stratocaster and their construction.
Hagström guitars have been and are played by several prominent musicians. The range of musical genres is considerable. Well-known "endorsers" at the time included Suzi Quatro , Neil Young , Jimi Hendrix , Abba , Frank Zappa , Elvis Presley , Fleetwood Mac , Rancid , Roxy Music and David Bowie . Today there are still bands playing on Hagström guitars. B. Franz Ferdinand , Mando Diao , Stefan Stoppok , Foo Fighters , Tom Redecker or Rodrigo González from Die Ärzte .
Electric basses
Four-string bass versions were offered by several electric guitar models , for example by the Swede, Corvette and Kent. It is particularly noteworthy that Hagström made the first eight-string bass, the H8. This model was played by Noel Redding ( Jimi Hendrix Experience ) , among others .
Amplifier and accessories
Hagstrom also made simple instrument amplifiers , boxes , keyboards , mixers , speakers and other musical goods until the 1980s . Apart from the accordions, guitars and basses, however, no other Hagström products have proven themselves on the market.
The end of production in 1982 and the restart in 2005
In 1982 all production was stopped. The reason for this was the models that had gone out of fashion and the resulting sharp drop in demand.
With the acquisition of the naming rights by an American group, Hagström guitars have been manufactured again since 2005. The current electric guitars are modeled on the old models almost true to the original and are located in the middle price segment. Original drawings, machines and shapes are used.
Production is taking place in China today, after investors succeeded in making production there profitable. Electronic parts are shipped from the USA. In the meantime there are also new models.
The Hagström Museum emerged from the former Hagström factory in Sweden.
Models
Historical models
The most famous historical electric guitar models from Hagström are:
- I, II and III
- Viking
- UltraLux
- Kent
- impala
- Corvette
- Scandi
- partner
- Hagstrom 12
- H II N
- Jimmy (developed by James "Jimmy" L. D'Aquisto).
Guitars
The electric guitar models offered by Hagström since the new beginning in 2005 are:
- Northen Swede
- Northen Super Swede
- Swede
- Swede TREMAR
- Swedie
- Great Swede
- Super Swede TREMAR
- Super Swede EMG
- Metropolis C
- Metropolis S
- Deuce
- Deuce F
- Deuce F TREMAR
- F-20T
- F-200
- F-200 Pat Smear Signature
- F-200P
- Viking
- Viking The Rod
- Viking Deluxe
- Viking Deluxe TREMAR
- Viking Rextone
- Viking Baritone Deluxe
- Viking 12-String Deluxe
- HL-550
- HJ-500
- HJ-500 TREMAR
- HJ-800
- XL5
- Ultra Swede
- Ultra Swede FR
- Ultra max
- H-II (Retroscape series)
- H-III (Retroscape Series)
- Impala (Retroscape Series)
- Condor (Retroscape Series)
Bass
- HB-4
- HB-8 (8-string)
- FXB-200
- FXB-220
- FXB-520
- FXB-530
- Viking bass
- Swede bass
Acoustic guitars
- Siljan Dreadnought
- Siljan Dreadnought CE
- Siljan Grand Auditorium CE
- Siljan 12-string
- Mora Concert
- Elfdalia Grand Auditorium
- Dalarna Dreadnought CE
- Dalarna Grand Auditorium CE
equipment
- Hagbag
- Hagcase
Web links
- Official Hagström website
- Official German website for the new Hagström products
- French fan website about Hagström
- The Hagström story on an English collector's website
- Hagström collectors website from USA
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hagström: history: Älvdalen - the home of Hagström. (in English) See last chapter: “The End? No! ” Retrieved October 5, 2019 .
- ↑ Stephan Lüdicke: The history of the Swedish Hagström guitars. See last chapter: "... long live the king - A new beginning for Hagström". Louder.com, Class Brothers GmbH, Freiburg, accessed on October 5, 2019 .