Hagstrom Swede

[Robert]

My local store has this guitar - a Hagstrom Swede Gold Top.

I am tempted to buy it. It's only 500 bucks and I get a good discount since I am a guitar teacher at the store. Hmm, or should I continue to save up for that other thing... hmm.... it's tempting to buy this one since I don't have a humbucker guitar! This baby sounds really good too, and is a joy to play.

They also have a white one, which I think is newer, but for some reason, it doesn't sound nearly as good! It's really dark sounding, whereas this gold top is nice and bright, which I like. Well, as bright as you can expect a humbucker guitar to be.

 

[Spudman]

I may have an alternative for you later this week. I'll keep you posted.

 

[skewedsound]

I've been seriously considering pulling the trigger on one of these beauties for a while. There have been quite a few of the spalted maple models going on evilBay recently, but sadly nowhere near me stocks any of the Hagstrom guitars so have not had a chance to test one yet.
If anyone here has played one of the spalted swedes, any reviews? Would love to know if these guitars sound and play as nice as they look.

 

[Robert]

Spalted? What does that mean? Sounds like special VIP treatment at a spa.

 

[tunghaichuan]

Spalted? What does that mean? Sounds like special VIP treatment at a spa.

Spalted wood has undergone a reaction to a fungus infection:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalting

Here's the first pic I found on Google:

There was an article in the new Fine Wood Working magazine about making your own spalted planks

tung

 

[skewedsound]

Spalted? What does that mean? Sounds like special VIP treatment at a spa.

Apologies for that. I should've explained better. I only discovered 'spalting' about 3 months ago myself, through my bassist friend.
Here is an image of the finish on the Swede that I managed to find:

 

[SuperSwede]

oohh, that looks really cool!

But Robert, you should buy a old vintage Hagstrom instead.. they can still be had for a pretty ok price here in Sweden.

Halkans Rockhouse usually have a couple of them...

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Apologies for that. I should've explained better. I only discovered 'spalting' about 3 months ago myself, through my bassist friend.
Here is an image of the finish on the Swede that I managed to find:

For those who don't have experience however, that's a very subtle spalting.

Usually it's much more pronounced and covers the entire face of the wood fairly uniformly.

 

[marnold]

For those who don't have experience however, that's a very subtle spalting.

Usually it's much more pronounced and covers the entire face of the wood fairly uniformly.

When I first saw spalted maple I first thought of Spalt hops which are my favorite German hops. Secondly I thought I wasn't too fond of the look but the more I see it, the more I like it. I saw a spalted top guitar at the GC in Edina, MN, that was drop dead gorgeous.

 

[Bloozcat]

My local store has this guitar - a Hagstrom Swede Gold Top.

I am tempted to buy it. It's only 500 bucks and I get a good discount since I am a guitar teacher at the store. Hmm, or should I continue to save up for that other thing... hmm.... it's tempting to buy this one since I don't have a humbucker guitar! This baby sounds really good too, and is a joy to play.

They also have a white one, which I think is newer, but for some reason, it doesn't sound nearly as good! It's really dark sounding, whereas this gold top is nice and bright, which I like. Well, as bright as you can expect a humbucker guitar to be.

Well, if you really like this guitar Robert, it may be the one to buy. If this Swede is made like the old ones in that it's a mahogany body with no maple cap, then a bright sounding one is the one you want to grab. The Swedes have a reputation for sounding on the dark side because of the all mahogany body. My old Swedish made one was on the dark side (black too, to go along with that "dark side" vibe ).

Passing up a great sounding guitar sometimes comes back to haunt you. I know it's the season for haunting, but not that kind...