Hagstrom Swede Guitar Repair - Need Advice!!!

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:16 am

I recently inherited a few guitars from a relative. One of them is a repair-job deal and it's gonna need some work. I want to restore this guitar to its original Hagstrom glory. Serial number (on pickup jack) is 53 913178, making it a '74 model.

Edit: Got the bridge working now. Got the nut dimensions so I should have a working nut for it soon.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563222639ZOxHuy?vhost=good-times

The list of things still needing to be done:

pickups - Considering the GFS Dream180's and then either a Fat Paf or Crunchy Paf for the other position. Thoughts?

back covers, pick guard/bracket - all gone. Still looking for some, might just cut some myself, as suggested.

What's the best way for me to clean up the finish of this guy?

Thanks guys! You rock.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:02 am

Seemingly random holes are where the pickguard went. Looks to have used the same bracket as my 60's Viking II.

You're missing a truss rod cover and the nut. You won't be able to string it up without a nut, any les paul or acoustic style nut can probably be made to work with it.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:12 am

The gold knobs are probably original. The back covers are a shape I haven't seen before, but it's pretty easy to cut plastic sheets to shape - just a jig saw and some patience.

Check out www.guitarfetish.com for pickups - cheap good stuff there.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:28 am

The gold knobs are definately not original. This is what your guitar would have looked like with it's original parts.
I've replied to you over on the Hagstrom.org.uk forum. Most difficult thing to get is the bridge. Buy it off ebay. Get the plastics cut from tracings. Get some nice low-output PAF-style pickups from the zillion pickup manufacturers out there. Choose the brand with most M@J@. I'm planning to start a pickup company using bobbins crafted from the remains of the true cross, scatterwound by nuns in the Algarve. But you can't buy those yet.

http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1973_Hags ... 851193.htm

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:16 pm

Nun-wound? Wow!

That's a helluva inheritance. Nice!

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:21 pm

Thanks for your help Tim

The most important thing right now, IMO is getting a compatible truss rod setup (nut/guard/cover) so that I know the rod isn't broken. I know the spare parts place sells the covers, but what can I use in terms of the nut and guard for it (see the horizontal bar missing in the picture).

Next on the list is the bridge pickup. Does the bridge absolutely have to be the original, or could I use a Tune-o-matic (and if so which style guitar would it need to be for)?

Once I know the guitar works I can move into the more peripheral kinds of things:

Would any of these pickguards work? Also, where can I find a compatable brackets for the holes the guitar has right now?

http://store.guitarfetish.com/lesparepibls.html
http://store.guitarfetish.com/lesparepithp.html
http://store.guitarfetish.com/imlespapiwhp.html

For knobs, any idea what type I need. Which of these would be compatable?http://store.guitarfetish.com/setoffosgesg1.html
http://store.guitarfetish.com/blbetoknseto.html
http://store.guitarfetish.com/vigstchtoblb.html

For pickups, I was thinking something a little crunchier than what this probably came with before. I want to try to make this close to vintage looking, but it doesn't need to be exact. I do want it to look like a beautiful guitar that has more crunch than meets the eye. I was thinking of using a pair or power rails or maybe power rails/fat pat. I would like to be able to play hard/metal stuff on this, but also be able to play rock and keep the possibility of smooth, clear highs. If there's a diff pickup that'd be better for that combo, LMK.

Thanks guys

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:37 pm

Would any of these truss nuts work?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_rods/ ... _nuts.html

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:43 pm

I'd say the bridge has to be original, just because i'd be an effort and cause loads more damage to remove the original bridge posts and drill for a tune-o-matic. Plus all the other parts you're replacing could be put right later if you ever find the bits. Install a TOM and there's no way back, baby.

Here's one with a buy-it-now.

Personally, I like the look of the chrome-topped bell knobs from GFS. Rail pickups are a bit lame- I used to have a Dimarzio X2N in a Hag II and it just sounded obnoxious and unmusical. Something like a PAF Pro might suit you.

Ah, just found this site. They've got more stuff than the last time I visited. Including cool original knobs and swede back plates and truss rod covers.
http://www.hagstromparts.se

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:23 pm

I'm watching that one, but not sure about it since they seem to be going for a lot. Would any Adjust-o-matic bridge be compatable or is there a specific type? If I can find a 3rd party equivalent that's compatable, that would be preferable.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:01 pm

Won't fit, honestly! That one is $65, BIN. Doesn't seem too bad.

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:31 pm

I wasn't doubting you, I just wasn't sure whether you meant just that a Tune-o-matic wouldn't work for it (but that other ones potentially could). Would any of those truss nuts I linked to work for this? I figure I'll wait to get into the electronics until I have a a bridge, working neck, and know the guitar is ok acoustically. Thanks for all your help bud!

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:46 pm

No problemo! I'd just assume the neck is straight and truss rod fine if I were you. Hagstrom use a peculiar rail-shaped truss rod. It probably won't need adjusting. I'd get the bridge, string-up the guitar and tune it to pitch, then look for any neck problems.

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:46 am

Hmm... I could try that. Isn't it odd that those parts are missing though? What would be good in the way of filling in the space there?

I worry that the neck might not stay without a nut to hold it in-place.

Duosonic, that site rocks! Thanks for linking to that

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:25 am

When I said nut I meant the nut for the strings that appears to be missing, not the truss rod nut.

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:00 am

Ah ok, so that's what the white bar is that's missing. Somehow I knew that, but it didn't click. Call me stupid.

Time to try and find the measurements so i can cut a new one. Is there anything special about the pick-guard or can I use a standard one for that? It looks like the bracket connection to the side is different, but maybe the pickguard is standard LP shape?

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:24 am

Any idea if parts from the new Swede's are compatible with the old ones (besides the bridge)? I'm thinking for the truss nut, pickguard, etc..

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:46 am

I don't think you need a new nut for the truss rod. Ask someone who owns a Swede, like David Cox over at Hagstrom.org.uk, but I'm pretty sure you can cover that end up and forget about it! Most Hagstroms you adjust the truss rod from the body end, but not swedes it seems. You very likely will not have to touch the truss rod.
In eight or so years I've owned 10 Hagstroms and played them regularly and not once have I had to adjust a neck.

Read this and see if it makes sense:
http://www.haskinshagstroms.com/John/in ... ection=215

guitarister · Post by **guitarister** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:29 am

cool, I'll ask over there and see what they say. In terms of pickups, I wanted to get some GFS pickups (mainly because of budget) and shot them an email asking for advice. I asked about the Dream180's which seemed to be equivalent to the PAF Pro's from what people said, but they seemed to think that Crunchy Rails might be more up my alley.

I was wondering what about the X2N you found annoying so I can try to find a pickup that's more suitable. Was it bad under distortion? Too trebly? I know the GFS versions have a bit more of a bassy edge to them than the X2N. Also was wondering if it might have been due to the type of body in the Viking. What pickup did you end up going with in that one, out of curiosity? Looks like a kick-ass guitar.

Is there a GFS pickup(s) that you'd recommend?

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:05 pm

The X2N was in a Hagstrom II, not a Viking, so there was no problem with microphonics. It's just too hot a pickup (maybe GFS have too many of their crunchy rails and are trying to shift them?) which results in a very one-dimensional sounding guitar.

I quite like the sound of these for a Swede:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/alfatpafbohu3.html

They do some with covers too. Result!

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:07 pm

Oh, and if you want to sell your Swede rather than undertake the work yourself, let me know as you've piqued my interest in the project