Outstanding Shane!!! I love my original 67 Hagstrom Viking and since shipping it to you to have a go on it would be ridiculous on the shipping, I figured a modern version was the next best thing. I must say, that particular guitar really suits you. The bassbreaker sounded fantastic with it. Thank you so much. And thanks to Sky Music for allowing you to demo their stock. The revival of Hagstrom seems to be a good thing.
Love Hagstroms! The Viking and the Swede are amazing. Fab value too. I have played both and just couldn’t put them down. They are a little different from the usual 335 and copies which makes them more appealing. Sounds killer Shane!
Another great video Shane. Your friendly personality and approachable style makes your videos a pleasure to watch. Thanks!! As for the Viking, you SOLD ME - I think I want to add one to my guitar collection...
It always good to see a LH guitar player on TH-cam and I have considered a LH Hagstrom Viking and would have appreciated a guitar test and demo that starts with a clean sound - so the listener can hear the tone of the OEM pick-ups. For the most part after hearing about your comment on some kind of buzzing or sound coming from the trapeze area... It's not too surprising that you experienced this as many trapeze set-ups have this type of issue. I would prefer a hardtail set-up on a semi hollow body as it usually does not have the buzzing like a trapeze set-up.
I bought a Hagstrom Ultra Swede about a year ago, and it is drop-dead sensational, might be the best value electric guitar on the market, I cannot fault it.
The Hagström guitars were originally made in my home village Älvdalen ("the River Valley" in English) in central Sweden; there used to be a big Hagström factory in the middle of the village, although today it has become various other establishments, such as supermarkets and a bank, among other things, and there is a museum for the Hagström instruments, which used to be part of the factory. Älvdalen is actually an extremely peaceful and friendly village in general, so you should definitely make a visit there if you ever get the chance, whether you are curious about the museum or not.
I love these guitars. They totally make me think of a '60s one-hit-wonder/garage band and those kinds of tunes. A classic look, but a little rebellious at the same time.
Thanks for the demo. Have had a Super Viking on order since June (which has a 25.5" scale length as opposed to the Viking's as well as a pair of coil-tapped humbuckers and a flame top) and this review really has me keen for it to hurry up and arrive. Is there a chance you could review the Super Viking and do a comparison between the two?
Needed to mention I also had a buzz but it was due to contact under the trapeze at the low e-string against the body, I put a tiny piece of fabric between the metal and the guitar top which fixed it.
I naively thought that this Swedish beauty would be made in Scandinavia - but, according to the Hagstrom Wikipedia page, these E335s ceased production in 1983. The various versions of these excellent guitars are made under licence in a factory in China, and they are discreetly branded as such. For guitar aficionados, there were 30 Hagstrom Super Swede Ltd made in the country of origin, but, they were selling for around A$6300 at the time of release. There are some original vintage Hagstrom guitars that appear from time to time on the used market, but they are real collectors items.
Hi Shane- Assuming this is a new 2016/2017, is the nut width similar to your tokai's? This one looks to be wider and especially wider than the Epiphone es-335/dot. I like that you describe the neck profile in depth as this is something most reviewers miss and it's an important one for me b/c I too prefer a more 50's/fat neck w/ some girth. I can't believe how good this one looks!! great details & tone. Thanks for sharing!
Hey. Outstanding guitars. Got two. My HJ 600 got the same oscillation as you mentioned, recently. Guess I check all connecting parts. How did you get rid of that annoyance?
Love hagstroms talk about value for your hard earned money. I have a hagstrom deuce f,amazing guitar 2 spilt HB’s ,semi hollow with 1 f hole ,smaller body design to the viking. Think I need a Viking as well now Great video 👍
Hi Shane, great review of the Hagstrom! I have just bought one and it arrived today...this has the same issue with the B string buzzing when unamplified as you pointed out...did you manage to fix it on the one you tested and any advice on what causes it and how to prevent it? Otherwise, am delighted with my lovely black Hagstrom and very cool original case. Cheers
I had one of these about a year ago. I kind of liked it but gravitated towards my Gretsch or Les Paul instead (it was kind of somewhere in between those two). I kind of regret selling it now! Come to think of it I pretty much regret most of the sales I’ve made.
Maybe a funny question to some, but whatr do these guitars sound like unplugged? As I often like to pick up my semi-acoustic Gretsch Streamliner and just play along to what's playing on my laptop, without plugging in at all. And I must say, that one is particularly nice to play in that way. This guitar looks stunning, visually.
They're made in China. The Viking goes for between $600-650US, the Viking Deluxe (different colors, slightly better accouterments) seems to start about $650US and the Super Viking, which has a 25.5" scale and coil taps, seems to be around $700-750US.
this is a question and suggestion, please review some Ibanez AS153 or AS200.. Question: I bough an AS153, killer instruments, But to my ears, it was not getting the right intonation. When playing open E, the B or G string, comes way above the mix in volume, and make the guitar sound out of tune. After I returned mine, claiming it was not able to stay in tune, I carefully checked plenty of semi-hollows reviews. Well, that "quasi out of tune" ring form open Es or Cs, comes in most guitars. Why is it? In my acoustics that doesn't happen. I think I'm certain when I say that the ibanez artcore and some ArtStar have a bigger issue on this regard, but I want ot know your opinion on this. Why this happens? is it completely normal? a better quality guitar doesn't have this issue? Thanks!!
Beautiful guitar for the price. I have a black Viking, slightly earlier model than this one (my 3 way switch doesn't have the "H" on it). Nice, highly playable guitar. Sounds good as is, but I'm still planning on a pickup and pots/harness swap sometime soon.
Round 1300 bucks. mmm looks like a very nice alternative to the super expensive gibsons. I would have preferred to hear it in a different amp, Not a big fan of the bass breakers personally. Now if you could do a review on HAGSTROM HII RETROSCAPE - SKY BLUE. That one has me intrigued, Single coil with wiggle stick And Looks sg like and nice price, Very curious.
Cherry flamed top Viking deluxe for me...Got it new about 7 years ago with case for under 700..Replace that noisy tailpiece with a Bigsby and also modified the Bigsby..The best of this guitar is the neck and truss rod..Great guitar and the price makes it better IMHO than any real 335.
I had the viking a few years ago and was disappointed by the overall quality and playability. I just bought the left-hand gretsch (2622, so even the cheap version) and it is so much better. Hagstrom still is a nice guitar tho.
Hey Shane, I'm lefty too and wanted to ask something. I noticed the Hagstrom Viking and Super Viking are very similair when it comes to looks. Are they similair on sound? if not, what are the differences?
The Super Viking has push pull pots so you can split the pickups. I missed that note when I borrowed the guitars. The Super Viking to my ear sounded a bit brighter too but they are both nice.
XtremeVille the Fantomen is the heaviest Hagstrom available. My super Swede is sooo much lighter than my les paul custom. So no, Hagstroms are generally not heavy.:)
Just bought one. Not loving it but it's okay. A bit of buyers remorse to be honest. Strange ring on the G string around the 5th fret and beyond, even after setup. Brought it back the tech said it was better sounds the same . Tone knobs do very little, kinda all or nothing. Maybe I just need to break it in a bit. But so far I feel it looks way better than it plays.
I had one for a while, but I sold it because I NEVER EVEN played it ! Glad I did as I got a Grestch double cut 2620 I think it's the number. Is that your guitar Shane ? if so do you think it will knock your Tokai off the playlist ?
Nice demo!! That guitar is a beauty. I to have wanted to see more Hagstroms. Your sound and licks were great . I was surprised at no clean channel. I have had string issues like you describe. The simplest fix is a small strip of clear mailing tape across the strings somewhere behind the bridge. Amen!!!
Here’s an odd question Shane ... Do you think doing your channel has inspired /encouraged you to Improve your playing more than you might have done if you didn’t have the channel ? Hey like I said it’s an odd question 😎🎸
Nice review. I bought a Viking in 2005, in the same red (right hand model heh heh). I use it more for playing clean tones, it is so smooth when paired up with something like a Roland JC. Also like the neck profile and the resinator fingerboard. It's my main guitar and probably always will be. G.A.S. means I'm looking to pair it up with a new amp, something like a Boss Katana 50...
Alright! I've had enough! What the hell did you just play at the beginning?! I am a beginner (also lefty) guitarrist and that lick at the end! Oh my god! What is it?
The pictures make this red look so ugly on the guitar. You think they'd make sure to make the photos representative of the actual look of the guitar since the pictures make it look worse.
I won't talk you into owning this one....there's honor amongst theives ya know. LOL. Hell....you even rode off w a spankin new Studio Pro!!! LOL. GOOD JOB MATEY!!!!
I once had a Viking, but traded it in for an Epi Traditional Pro II that allows me to Coil-Split & have a mid-boost. Just more versatile. I didn't like the Tuners, & the wide bottom width of the Hag. But, otherwise it performed flawlessly for several years.
I like Hagstrom guitars and had a bass player in one band with them. I would like you to have played it cleaner. Too much of a distorted sound , Shane, in this video. JMHO
Outstanding Shane!!! I love my original 67 Hagstrom Viking and since shipping it to you to have a go on it would be ridiculous on the shipping, I figured a modern version was the next best thing. I must say, that particular guitar really suits you. The bassbreaker sounded fantastic with it. Thank you so much. And thanks to Sky Music for allowing you to demo their stock. The revival of Hagstrom seems to be a good thing.
i guess Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good website to stream newly released series online?
@Nolan Conner Ehh I would suggest Flixportal. you can find it on google=) -preston
@Preston Kaiser thank you, signed up and it seems to work :D Appreciate it!!
@Nolan Conner You are welcome :D
Love Hagstroms! The Viking and the Swede are amazing. Fab value too. I have played both and just couldn’t put them down. They are a little different from the usual 335 and copies which makes them more appealing. Sounds killer Shane!
Another great video Shane. Your friendly personality and approachable style makes your videos a pleasure to watch. Thanks!!
As for the Viking, you SOLD ME - I think I want to add one to my guitar collection...
It always good to see a LH guitar player on TH-cam and I have considered a LH Hagstrom Viking and would have appreciated a guitar test and demo that starts with a clean sound - so the listener can hear the tone of the OEM pick-ups. For the most part after hearing about your comment on some kind of buzzing or sound coming from the trapeze area... It's not too surprising that you experienced this as many trapeze set-ups have this type of issue. I would prefer a hardtail set-up on a semi hollow body as it usually does not have the buzzing like a trapeze set-up.
I bought a Hagstrom Ultra Swede about a year ago, and it is drop-dead sensational, might be the best value electric guitar on the market, I cannot fault it.
I play a Hagstrom Retroscape H-iii and I absolutely love it. It is like Strat which is dressed up as an SG
The Hagström guitars were originally made in my home village Älvdalen ("the River Valley" in English) in central Sweden;
there used to be a big Hagström factory in the middle of the village, although today it has become various other establishments, such as supermarkets and a bank, among other things, and there is a museum for the Hagström instruments, which used to be part of the factory.
Älvdalen is actually an extremely peaceful and friendly village in general, so you should definitely make a visit there if you ever get the chance, whether you are curious about the museum or not.
I love these guitars. They totally make me think of a '60s one-hit-wonder/garage band and those kinds of tunes. A classic look, but a little rebellious at the same time.
I'm in love. Gotta get me one of these!!
I've really liked the last few Hagstrom guitars I've tried, this one rocks :)
I recently purchased a black Viking at a garage sale and I couldn’t be happier!
Always liked the looks of the Hagstrom mainly the headstock.
Since the fretboard is made of a composite ...is it ok to pout lemon oil on it???
Thanx.
Thanks for this. I have my eyes on one of these. 🎸🔥😍
Stunner in tone and appearance! A more exotic looking 335.
Looks and sounds like 100% quality. I want that gee-tahr.
That tone goes from dirty to filthy, and sounds great all the way. Would love to hear a genuine clean tone, too, though.
Lord help me. GAS in full effect. That sounds brilliant
Review coming on 3 years, still holds up all the way to saturation goodness. Man, dat's the chops!
Thanks for the demo. Have had a Super Viking on order since June (which has a 25.5" scale length as opposed to the Viking's as well as a pair of coil-tapped humbuckers and a flame top) and this review really has me keen for it to hurry up and arrive.
Is there a chance you could review the Super Viking and do a comparison between the two?
Have you by any chance plan to review the 12 string Viking? I’m interested in one and would love to know your thoughts.
My wife is going to kill me!!!!! I love that guitar!!!! It has the right look and it rocks!!!!!
Needed to mention I also had a buzz but it was due to contact under the trapeze at the low e-string against the body, I put a tiny piece of fabric between the metal and the guitar top which fixed it.
Great demo. Does this guitar lend itself to a jazz sound? Thinking of purchasing one. Thanks.
A very good Review , thanks . What a great Sound , and it is Hagström Alvar ! 🎶
awesome ... love the hagstrom's !! Now try there lp style "swede" if they have a lefty there for you to do so on !! :)
Could you do a Super Viking on a cleaner amp? It has a different set of humbuckers
I naively thought that this Swedish beauty would be made in Scandinavia - but, according to the Hagstrom Wikipedia page, these E335s ceased production in 1983. The various versions of these excellent guitars are made under licence in a factory in China, and they are discreetly branded as such. For guitar aficionados, there were 30 Hagstrom Super Swede Ltd made in the country of origin, but, they were selling for around A$6300 at the time of release. There are some original vintage Hagstrom guitars that appear from time to time on the used market, but they are real collectors items.
was that 38special at @3:00 in?
Yup 🌹❤️
Hi Shane- Assuming this is a new 2016/2017, is the nut width similar to your tokai's? This one looks to be wider and especially wider than the Epiphone es-335/dot. I like that you describe the neck profile in depth as this is something most reviewers miss and it's an important one for me b/c I too prefer a more 50's/fat neck w/ some girth. I can't believe how good this one looks!! great details & tone. Thanks for sharing!
Is there a comparison video between the hagstrom and the Gretsch guitars??
Do the tone/volume knobs roo the way that they do because they didn't change the pots for lefty players?
Hey. Outstanding guitars. Got two. My HJ 600 got the same oscillation as you mentioned, recently. Guess I check all connecting parts. How did you get rid of that annoyance?
Love hagstroms talk about value for your hard earned money.
I have a hagstrom deuce f,amazing guitar 2 spilt HB’s ,semi hollow with 1 f hole ,smaller body design to the viking.
Think I need a Viking as well now
Great video 👍
where they're made? I'm a little confused.
Hi Shane, great review of the Hagstrom! I have just bought one and it arrived today...this has the same issue with the B string buzzing when unamplified as you pointed out...did you manage to fix it on the one you tested and any advice on what causes it and how to prevent it? Otherwise, am delighted with my lovely black Hagstrom and very cool original case. Cheers
good review and good guitar
Beautiful guitar. I’m looking at one in black.
I had one of these about a year ago. I kind of liked it but gravitated towards my Gretsch or Les Paul instead (it was kind of somewhere in between those two). I kind of regret selling it now! Come to think of it I pretty much regret most of the sales I’ve made.
Clint That’s the nature of selling gear isn’t it? I think everyone has a list of things they miss. Oh well. I’m trying to move on...!
I switched out the pickups and the bridge to a roller bridge. the man made finger board has cracked in a few places on my Viking Deluxe.
Maybe a funny question to some, but whatr do these guitars sound like unplugged? As I often like to pick up my semi-acoustic Gretsch Streamliner and just play along to what's playing on my laptop, without plugging in at all. And I must say, that one is particularly nice to play in that way. This guitar looks stunning, visually.
Traded in my Hagstrom against the streamliner and it was the best decision. I like the gretsch much more
I’m a left handed guitarist and looking at buying one in Australia. What is the expect price range ?
Great sounding guitar!, good looking too!
I just picked one up in sunburst with a hardshell case for $200!!
That's a steal! 👍
Great! Where is it made and how much does it cost?
They're made in China. The Viking goes for between $600-650US, the Viking Deluxe (different colors, slightly better accouterments) seems to start about $650US and the Super Viking, which has a 25.5" scale and coil taps, seems to be around $700-750US.
Where is this made?
Try a Hagstrom Super Swede and see how it stacks up against your Tokia Les Paul.
Where is the guitar made
this is a question and suggestion, please review some Ibanez AS153 or AS200.. Question: I bough an AS153, killer instruments, But to my ears, it was not getting the right intonation. When playing open E, the B or G string, comes way above the mix in volume, and make the guitar sound out of tune. After I returned mine, claiming it was not able to stay in tune, I carefully checked plenty of semi-hollows reviews. Well, that "quasi out of tune" ring form open Es or Cs, comes in most guitars. Why is it? In my acoustics that doesn't happen. I think I'm certain when I say that the ibanez artcore and some ArtStar have a bigger issue on this regard, but I want ot know your opinion on this. Why this happens? is it completely normal? a better quality guitar doesn't have this issue? Thanks!!
Felt in love
I think you just sold me a guitar. I thought your sponsors should know. Cheers!
Beautiful guitar for the price. I have a black Viking, slightly earlier model than this one (my 3 way switch doesn't have the "H" on it). Nice, highly playable guitar. Sounds good as is, but I'm still planning on a pickup and pots/harness swap sometime soon.
Round 1300 bucks. mmm looks like a very nice alternative to the super expensive gibsons. I would have preferred to hear it in a different amp, Not a big fan of the bass breakers personally. Now if you could do a review on HAGSTROM HII RETROSCAPE - SKY BLUE. That one has me intrigued, Single coil with wiggle stick And Looks sg like and nice price, Very curious.
The Hagstom Alvar would be cool, it's a smaller version of this.
What do you think of the Hagstrom Tremar Viking Deluxe's vibrato system? Any tuning stability issues like on some Bigsbys?
This one stayed in tune really well. I haven't tried enough Hagstrom guitars to really know how their other guitars stay in tune.
Beautiful guitar and it sounds great too.
Cherry flamed top Viking deluxe for me...Got it new about 7 years ago with case for under 700..Replace that noisy tailpiece with a Bigsby and also modified the Bigsby..The best of this guitar is the neck and truss rod..Great guitar and the price makes it better IMHO than any real 335.
Great looking guitar ...with great big sound - cool
Do you prefer it to a Gretsch 5622?
I had the viking a few years ago and was disappointed by the overall quality and playability. I just bought the left-hand gretsch (2622, so even the cheap version) and it is so much better. Hagstrom still is a nice guitar tho.
Hey Shane, I'm lefty too and wanted to ask something. I noticed the Hagstrom Viking and Super Viking are very similair when it comes to looks. Are they similair on sound? if not, what are the differences?
The Super Viking has push pull pots so you can split the pickups. I missed that note when I borrowed the guitars. The Super Viking to my ear sounded a bit brighter too but they are both nice.
Sounds awesome
Wow!! I want one!!
But can it do viking black metal?
Hi! Would be nice if you had the same amp everytime you test a guitar. Its hard to know if this is a great guitar or a great amp. Or both 😀
Let me help out. They're both amazing!
How’s the weight? Never owned A Hagström myself but I held a Fantomen and it was HEAVY.
Are all Hagströms heavy weight?
Nope, the weight of the hollowbodies are pretty standart for hollowbodies i‘d say and their metropolis is pretty lightweight for a jr. Lp style body.
XtremeVille the Fantomen is the heaviest Hagstrom available. My super Swede is sooo much lighter than my les paul custom. So no, Hagstroms are generally not heavy.:)
please check out Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod with hardtail in sea foam green or white (if available in lefty) or Jaguar or Jazzmaster
Hagstrom sounds great, can hold its own.
Just bought one. Not loving it but it's okay. A bit of buyers remorse to be honest. Strange ring on the G string around the 5th fret and beyond, even after setup. Brought it back the tech said it was better sounds the same . Tone knobs do very little, kinda all or nothing. Maybe I just need to break it in a bit. But so far I feel it looks way better than it plays.
How much ?
subbed
Which country is this guitar made?
China
I had one for a while, but I sold it because I NEVER EVEN played it ! Glad I did as I got a Grestch double cut 2620 I think it's the number. Is that your guitar Shane ? if so do you think it will knock your Tokai off the playlist ?
I just borrowed it mate. It's not kicking my Tokai out of the collection but I have to say this guitar exceeded my expectations.
That looks cool and sounds amazing! It reminds me of the Harley Benton HB-35 Cherry
Oh wow! Very good
Really NICE axe!
Mate where can I get a lefty
Hagstrom would be a good start. My Super Swede is also Left-hand.
i have a hagstrom h-2 with the same bridge noises
Nice demo!!
That guitar is a beauty. I to have wanted to see more Hagstroms.
Your sound and licks were great .
I was surprised at no clean channel.
I have had string issues like you describe. The simplest fix is a small strip of clear mailing tape across the strings somewhere behind the bridge.
Amen!!!
Hagstrom or Tokai?
Looks to be an outstanding value in a hollow body guitar.
The only thing you're missing is the coil splitting of the Super Viking, then.
Hi, i'm left player, where did you bought that guitar?
It's easier to ask than look, isn't it.
Neck dive? There's a '67 Viking ii near me for a great price, but neck dive is a deal breaker for me.
Finally Shane!!! Sweden rocks 😎🎸👍. Next up you should try a Green guitar! I will make this my mission 👍
I have a hagstrom HJ500, it's very nice. I don't know what HJ stands for, maybe Hungry Jacks. Cool Viking.
Jack McGregor the HJ stands for Hagstrom Jimmy from hagstroms relationship with James “Jimmy” D’Aquisto
I own one with p90's and I love it! One of the guitar I play the most!
stock p90?
Here’s an odd question Shane ... Do you think doing your channel has inspired /encouraged you to
Improve your playing more than you might have done if you didn’t have the channel ? Hey like I said
it’s an odd question 😎🎸
Huge sound, Gibbons could use it well
Sounds like George Thorogood! AWESOME!
Nice review. I bought a Viking in 2005, in the same red (right hand model heh heh). I use it more for playing clean tones, it is so smooth when paired up with something like a Roland JC. Also like the neck profile and the resinator fingerboard. It's my main guitar and probably always will be. G.A.S. means I'm looking to pair it up with a new amp, something like a Boss Katana 50...
More Hagstrom plz ! Awesome underrated Brand ! My super swede is even better than a Gibson LP !
Love the guitar. Hate the amp.
Alright! I've had enough! What the hell did you just play at the beginning?! I am a beginner (also lefty) guitarrist and that lick at the end! Oh my god! What is it?
MA-R-VE-LO-US!!! I love it red! It's SEXY!
Back of headstock looks like “Gumby!”
haha you're right :-)
The Supro headstock looks like Gumby!
I think it should be a basic standard to demo this style of guitar clean for us jazz guys who love to play this style of guitar.
The pictures make this red look so ugly on the guitar. You think they'd make sure to make the photos representative of the actual look of the guitar since the pictures make it look worse.
I won't talk you into owning this one....there's honor amongst theives ya know. LOL. Hell....you even rode off w a spankin new Studio Pro!!! LOL. GOOD JOB MATEY!!!!
I once had a Viking, but traded it in for an Epi Traditional Pro II that allows me to Coil-Split & have a mid-boost. Just more versatile. I didn't like the Tuners, & the wide bottom width of the Hag. But, otherwise it performed flawlessly for several years.
I like Hagstrom guitars and had a bass player in one band with them. I would like you to have played it cleaner. Too much of a distorted sound , Shane, in this video. JMHO