The 1966 Hagstrom Model I, also known as the H-I, is a vintage electric guitar known for its fast playing neck, unique solid body construction, and futuristic style. It was manufactured in Sweden and is characterized by its acrylic top and vinyl-covered plywood body.
Key Features:
Body: The Hagstrom I features a solid-body with a double cutaway, similar in shape to a Gibson SG. The body construction is a unique clear, back-painted acrylic top that's bolted onto a plywood core with a vinyl back.
- Neck and headstock: It has a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, pearloid dot inlays, and a very slim profile, which was advertised as the "world's fastest playing neck". The headstock is the distinct "dolphin" shape common to many Hagstrom models of the era.
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Electronics:
- Pickups: It's equipped with two high-output single-coil pickups, which are known for their bright, jangly tone well-suited for surf and garage rock.
- Controls: The electronics are mounted on the acrylic plate, with a master volume knob and a bank of slider switches to control the pickups and tone. The switches offer options for "Low" (neck pickup), "High" (bridge pickup), "Tone" (treble boost), and "Mute" (muffling-style mute).
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Hardware:
- Bridge: The adjustable bridge is a metal rail system.
- Tremolo: This model features Hagstrom's "Tremar" vibrato system, which is known for holding its tune reasonably well.
The guitar we have is in Good condition, all original except for the output jack which has been replaced. The craftsmanship to make this guitar is exceptional in the way they made the front of the guitar out of a sheet of molded plastic which has a few cracks with age. It has a very surf vintage sound.