TEST: Hagström Suede Gold

 OK, of course we don't have all of our Scandinavian friends from Sweden first on our list when it comes to international electric guitar building, but the Nordic country has a company that has been in the electric guitar and electric guitar business for almost 73 years now -Bass building is active. We're talking about the Hagstrom company, which, among other things, brought out the first eight-string electric bass in series production at the time. Ever since Hagstrom started a collaboration with the one-man theater ensemble “GHOST”, the name has also gained popularity in the heavy music sector. The company, which comes from the accordion industry, has now given its strongest model, the “Swede”, a visual upgrade and now also has a model in its ranks that is completely painted in gold called the Hagstrom Swede Gold, which we have available for testing.

The construction of the Hagstrom Swede Gold

It is not difficult to see which model was the inspiration for the Hagstrom Swede Gold in terms of construction and appearance, but the Swede still has a few features that distinguish it from the Les Paul. Even though Gibson also had an LP on the market in the early 1950s that had not only the top but also the neck and back of the body painted gold, this striking form of paint is still comparatively rare. The craftsmanship of the lacquering of the instrument made in China is all the more impressive.

Let's briefly look at the two special features of Hagstrom instruments in general, which definitely want to be understood as a trademark. On the one hand we have the Dual Action H-Expander Trussrod, which is a kind of mini H-steel support that ensures extremely high stability of the neck as well as very good adjustment options and on the other hand the fingerboard made of Resinator wood, a composite material in which several thin layers of wood are used are glued together in a vacuum and which should be comparable to the resonance properties of the old Black Beauty ebony. Both structural elements are of course protected by trademark law and may only be used under license.

Otherwise, the Hagstrom Swede Gold has a very classic appearance, meaning a solid mahogany body and a glued-in mahogany neck, which allows the instrument to weigh an impressive 4 kg in total, plus a flamed maple top, which unfortunately is not visible under the opaque varnish. P.S. This was also the reason why Gibson came around the corner in 1958 with the LP Standards in Sunburst, initially a flop and today the most expensive electric guitars that you can (sometimes) buy.

Ivoroid is used as fingerboard inlays between the 22 stainless steel frets, a plastic that looks like ivory and has a stripy “grain”. Visually indicated is the Hagstrom “Crest” coat of arms plus a Hagstrom lion on the 12th fret. With a neck thickness of 21 mm at the 1st fret and 22.5 mm at the 12th fret, a fingerboard radius of 14.4", a nut width of 43 mm (GraphTech Black Tusq XL) and a short scale length of 628 mm (24.75 "), the Hagstrom Swede Gold moves within a moderate range, which is preferred by many Gibson players and should meet with open ears here.

The Swedes are also pursuing an independent course when it comes to hardware, with the Long Travel Tune-O-Matic Bridge in combination with the Sustain Block Tailpiece, in which each string has a solid brass block as a holder. The fluted 19:1 Gear Ratio Locking Machine Heads also offer a unique selling point in the tuner sector and have been an integral part of Hagstrom optics for some time.

The Hagstrom Swede Gold pickups

Another special feature can be found in the area of pickups. In contrast to many other players who work with the big names in the industry or develop their own pickups, the Hagstrom Swede Gold has a Lundgren Design AlNiCo-2 No. on the neck. 2 (Medium Output – Calibrated – 7.3K) humbucker and a Lundgren Design AlNiCo-2 No. on the bridge. 5 (High Output – Calibrated – 13.2K) humbuckers. Both humbuckers are splittable and enable single coil operation thanks to the push/pull function of the tone controls. The total of 4 pieces. Hagstrom “H” Barrel Knurled Brass Knobs (Chrome Plated) volume and tone controls are pleasantly stiff and allow for a consistent control path. Furthermore, the instrument is delivered in a high-quality case, which has a tweed look.

The Hagstrom Swede Gold in practice

When you pick up the Hagstrom Swede Gold for the first time, you get a familiar feeling. Even if a manufacturer understandably wants to integrate as many unique selling points as possible into their instrument, the visual and haptic inspiration is always present, although the Hagstrom Swede Gold does have some differences. For example, the transition to the high registers is much smoother than with the consistently angular and angular pioneer.

The short scale length combined with a classic, subtly extended circuit allows the typical midrange to emerge even in the unamplified state, which is also refined with a very high sustain level. The factory setting to the 010 set is good and does not require any further adjustment. By the way, due to the short scale length, you really shouldn't play a 009 set on guitars of this type, or perhaps less in standard tuning, as the string tension would simply be too low.

The “masculine” weight of the instrument, coupled with the sustain-supporting elements such as the Sustain Block Tailpiece, actually enable the instrument to have a very tasteful basic tone, which is also characterized by, among other things, very good vibration behavior. The instrument hangs well on the body thanks to the strap and, as expected, can also be played very well while sitting due to its shape.

But let's now come to the point in which the Hagstrom Swede Gold differs from many Paula bonds: the pickups. In fact, I'm relatively sure that I've only seen Lundgren Design pickups on Hagstrom guitars from the factory, probably due to the proximity. In the back of my mind I also remember a delivery of an Ibanez model, but the majority of users are artists who subsequently install the pickups into their instruments, which in itself is proof of the quality of the pickups.

If you look at the values of the pickups, you think you can determine the sound of them in advance, but in practice this turns out to be a mistake. Because of my bias based on the resistance information, I too had imagined that the pickup set could differ greatly in terms of sound, but I was proven wrong. In fact, the bridge pickup, which was quite powerful despite 13.2 K, turned out to be an optimal complement to the moderate neck pickup, so that there were no level jumps within the set, as you would otherwise find, especially if you are like in many vintage Sets have the same pickup installed several times.

The split circuit was also quite convincing for a humbucker. Even though the sound produced from the speakers was a little sharp and couldn't quite achieve the balance of a pure single coil pickup, it was still one of the best split sounds I've heard in a long time. The humbucker circuit, on the other hand, is significantly warmer and has less treble and offers very good results, especially in the crunch area, which extend all the way up to the lead area. This is where the pickups can show off their real strengths, ranging from defined riffs to tasteful leads. These types of pickups are less or not at all suitable for real high gain metal blasting, as they rely too much on independence due to individual peaks in the frequency response and less on assertiveness with very high overtone content.

Overall, with the Hagstrom Swede Gold you have an excellent rock guitar in your hands, which should also be a welcome guest in blues or jazz. If you are looking for an alternative to the classics and are happy about well-crafted detailed solutions and very good pickups, this instrument is the right choice.

Conclusion

With the Hagstrom Swede Gold, the traditional Swedish company has a hot iron in the fire when it comes to sound. The completely gold-plated instrument impresses with its very good workmanship, a fusion of tradition with independence and a familiar, yet individual sound, which is particularly impressive from clean to crunch to lead.

If you are looking for a classic sound that doesn't come from the USA, you should definitely give this guitar a try.

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Additional Informations:

Hagström Guitars is a Swedish company that has been producing high-quality instruments since 1925. The company is known for its innovative designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and dedication to quality. Hagström guitars have been played by some of the world's most famous musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, and Abba.

**Early Years**

The Hagström story began in 1919 when Albin Hagström opened a music shop in Gothenburg, Sweden. The shop was a success, and Hagström soon began to sell his own line of accordions and harmonicas. In 1925, Hagström founded his own company, Hagström & Co., and began to manufacture guitars.

**The Viking Model**

Hagström's first guitar was a solid-body electric guitar called the Viking. The Viking was released in 1932 and was one of the first of its kind. It was a popular model among Swedish musicians, and it helped to establish Hagström as a leading manufacturer of electric guitars.

**Post-War Expansion**

After World War II, Hagström expanded its production to include a wider range of guitars, including acoustic guitars, lap steels, and pedal steels. The company also began to export its guitars to other countries, and Hagström soon became one of the most popular guitar brands in Europe.

**The 1960s and 1970s**

The 1960s and 1970s were a golden era for Hagström Guitars. The company released a number of innovative new models, including the Swede, the Viking Deluxe, and the Condor. These guitars were popular among rock and blues musicians, and they helped to make Hagström a global brand.

**The 1980s and 1990s**

The 1980s and 1990s were a more challenging time for Hagström Guitars. The company faced increased competition from other guitar manufacturers, and it also struggled to adapt to the changing music scene. In 1997, Hagström was acquired by the Valmuska Music Group.

**The 21st Century**

In the 21st century, Hagström Guitars has made a comeback. The company has reissued a number of its classic models, and it has also released new models that have been praised by critics and musicians alike. Hagström Guitars is once again one of the leading manufacturers of guitars in the world.

**Hagström Guitars Today**

Today, Hagström Guitars is a subsidiary of the Finnish company SMS Ab. The company produces a wide range of guitars, including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and bass guitars. Hagström guitars are sold in over 50 countries around the world.

**Legacy**

Hagström Guitars is a company with a rich history and a bright future. The company is known for its innovative designs, meticulous craftsmanship, and dedication to quality. Hagström guitars have been played by some of the world's most famous musicians, and they continue to be popular among musicians of all genres.

**Here are some of the factors that have contributed to Hagström Guitars' success:**

* **Innovation:** Hagström has a long history of innovation. The company was one of the first to produce solid-body electric guitars, and it has continued to release new and innovative models throughout its history.
* **Craftsmanship:** Hagström guitars are known for their high quality craftsmanship. The company's guitars are made with the finest materials and are assembled with meticulous care.
* **Dedication to quality:** Hagström is dedicated to producing high-quality guitars. The company has a rigorous quality control process, and it only uses the finest materials and components.
* **Reputation:** Hagström has a strong reputation for producing high-quality guitars. The company's guitars are popular among musicians of all genres, and they are known for their durability and playability.

**Hagström Guitars is a true Swedish treasure. The company has been producing high-quality guitars for over 90 years, and it continues to be a leader in the industry. If you are looking for a guitar that is both innovative and well-made, then Hagström is a brand that you should definitely consider.**