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Average Price: $600

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$1001+

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Description

Step into the world of timeless sound with the Hagström III, a reimagined classic that pays homage to its 1965 origins while embracing modern innovation. This solid body electric guitar has been a favorite of artists across genres, from the hard-hitting anthems of punk and grunge to the intricate solos of virtuosos like Joe Satriani.

Crafted with precision, the Hagström III features a comfortably profiled Canadian Maple neck paired with a hand-selected American Alder body, ensuring it maintains the original fiery attack and distinctive bite that made it famous. The 6-in-line Hagstrom headstock has been subtly updated, staying true to its vintage roots while offering modern playability.

The real magic lies in its Retro-S pickups, meticulously designed to replicate the original's rich and vibrant sound. These are complemented by the innovative RC-Circuit integrated into the volume control, allowing for seamless gain shaping and volume adjustments without sacrificing the high-frequency shimmer. With its unique array of switches, including individual pickup on/off controls and a master tone on/off, the Hagström III offers players an expansive tonal palette.

This guitar is not just an instrument; it's a statement of individuality and a bridge between eras, perfect for those who dare to stand out in the crowd.

Key Features:

  • Canadian Maple neck for smooth playability
  • American Alder body for enhanced tone
  • 6-in-line Hagstrom headstock design
  • Retro-S pickups for vintage sound reproduction
  • RC-Circuit for refined volume control
  • Unique switch configuration for versatile tone shaping

Product specs

Brand Hagstrom
Model III
Finish Red
Year 1960s
Made In Sweden
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Red
Fretboard Material Composite
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Hagström III use and what tones can I expect?

The Hagström III features a triple set of Ceramic C-Spin pickups in an SSS configuration, providing a bright, clear tone ideal for genres like rock, surf, and blues.

What is the neck profile of the Hagström III and how does it affect playability?

While the exact neck shape isn't specified, the Hagström III has a bolt-on hard maple neck with a 15-inch radius, offering a comfortable feel suitable for fast playing and smooth chord transitions.

Does the Hagström III have a tremolo system, and how does it perform?

Yes, the Hagström III is equipped with a Vintage Tremar tremolo system, allowing for smooth pitch modulation and expressive playing without compromising tuning stability.

Is the Hagström III suitable for beginners?

The Hagström III, with its versatile tone and comfortable neck, is suitable for beginners who want a quality instrument that can grow with their playing skills.

What is the body material of the Hagström III and how does it affect the sound?

The Hagström III has an alder body, known for its balanced tone with a slight emphasis on midrange frequencies, making it versatile for various musical styles.

Reviews

PROS

  • Eye-catching design with unique Scandinavian tone

  • Rare variants owned by iconic artists like Zappa and Bowie

  • Extremely fast necks for quick playability

  • Highly versatile due to numerous switches

  • Durable construction, lasting decades with proper care

  • Historic appeal, often compared to vintage models played by legends

CONS

  • Neck feel might be too thin and compact for some

  • Some guitars may have dust in volume knob and pickup selectors

  • Occasional marks not always visible in pictures

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hagström III.

Build quality

  • The left-handed Hagström III is noted for its extremely thin neck, described as the thinnest some owners have ever played.

    Source
  • The Resinator fingerboard, made from wood fibers and resin, is praised for its smoothness and playability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar features numerous switches, though some owners report non-functioning components like the killswitch.

    Source
  • Some owners have reported issues with the selector switch and pickup post covers falling off soon after purchase.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite being vintage, some models maintain an all-original state with good condition, though vibrato arms might be missing.

    Source
  • The Viking is described as the most comfortable guitar to play, with a flat radius and thin neck.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Kurt Cobain was known to play a flipped right-handed Hagström H-II, which differs slightly from the III model.

    Source
  • The Hagström Viking's 12" neck radius is favored over Fender and Gibson by some users for better playability.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners appreciate the stability of the neck and truss rod, requiring minimal adjustments even in varying weather conditions.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 10 Ratings

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blondguru

Neat Old Guitar

These old Hagstroms are very interesting an eye-catching guitars. The neck has a bit of a weird feel to it, kind of thin and compact. It feels like a nice Japanese guitar, but with a tone only the Swedes could perfect. The amount of switches is obnoxious, but leads to a great amount of versatility. I'd recommend trying to find one of these for a fair price, rather than over-paying for a fancy looking Teisco any day of the week.

bradfordmoeller

The Ziggy Guitar

Rare variants of this guitar exist, they all have extremely fast necks; and have been in the hands of artists like Frank Zappa, David Bowie, and Elvis Presley. Built very well & extremely unique in several ways.

petereiovine

1966 Hagstrom III

My uncle had the guitar back then in the 60's, which he then gave to my dad. It came in the original case, whammy bar, all the switches, everything basically. It still plays like a beauty till this day. The guitar and the case have reliced like something Jimi Hendrix would play. Happy 50 Years of my Hagstrom III.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Satriani uses Hagström III

Joe Satriani

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Vintageguitar

"It was a Hagstrom III, white with a black pickguard – a very cool guitar. It had the smallest, most-narrow, finished neck I’ve ever played. I used it for a year and a half, and played my very first shows on it. - Do you still have it? - No. But on a Chickenfoot tour a couple years ago, a fan who knew I’d been looking for one brought one to a show for me."

See how Pat Smear uses Hagström III

Pat Smear

Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via YouTube

This guitar was purchased at Freedom Guitar in L.A.. The stock bridge pickup was replaced with a black Duncan JB and the chrome rings painted black with nail polish. (source: livenirvana.com)

See how Mark Arm uses Hagström III

Mark Arm

Singer, Guitarist

Mudhoney

...
Verified via YouTube

Mark arm can be seen using the Hagstrom III in this video, he used the hagstrom III for almost all the albums, with maybe using a Fender Jag now and then.

See how Aaron North uses Hagström III

Aaron North

Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, we can see Aaron North playing a Hagstrom III.

See how J.T. Woodruff uses Hagström III

J.T. Woodruff

Guitarist, Singer

Hawthorne Heights

...
Verified via Photo

Woodruff briefly used the guitar, as confirmed in a video with Sam Ash

See how Tammy Ealom uses Hagström III

Tammy Ealom

Singer, Guitarist

Dressy Bessy

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: 3 Tone Sunburst Year: 1965

Tammy Ealom uses several Hagström III guitars, with her primary guitar being covered in stickers and gifted to her by John Hill of The Apples in Stereo. This is evidenced by her performance on "Last Call with Carson Daly" aired on October 31, 2003, as captured in a video by user ibelieveincheez on YouTube.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hagström III, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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