New Guitar - Come Share the Agony & the Ecstasy!

[Lurker13]

This is the first guitar I've bought in about 11 years, and I love it!

First the artsy picture:


Now the more pragmatic picture:


It's a Hagstrom Retroscape H-III in faded sky blue. It looks a little greener in person than it does in the picture. For reference, my amp is sea foam green.

I bought it from MF during their Memorial Day sale, so I've had it for about a month now. I wasn't sure I was going to keep it at first because I saw the new Fender Player Series right after it arrived and immediately started GASing for a new Fender. But I can't stop playing it, so it is definitely a keeper.

It has a slim neck, although not quite Ibanez Wizard slim, and the scale is 24.75". It's my first non-humbucker guitar, and the bridge pickup has all the jingle-jangle I've been missing. My only concern is the trem arm, which seems a little stiff when I divebomb (which is the only agony; everything else is ecstasy).

It loves fuzz, too. At the moment I'm going back and forth between my Algal Bloom, French Toast, and Swollen Pickle when I play it. I'm starting to understand why people rave about playing fuzz pedals with single coils. In fact, I was thinking about selling my Pickle because it doesn't sound that great with my other guitars, but the Hag loves it.

It's just too much fun!

Last edited by Lurker13 on Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:21 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[Chankgeez]

Congrats!

Yeah, I used to have an old Hag III. Nice guitars. Very fun to play.

Not a divebomby whammy. I didn't really like the whammy design or the bridge design. Looks like they've put a better bridge on these newer ones though. That whammy's always gonna feel stiff. Not sure there's anything you can do about that. It's just part of the bad design.

[Lurker13]

Congrats!

Yeah, I used to have an old Hag III. Nice guitars. Very fun to play.

Not a divebomby whammy. I didn't really like the whammy design or the bridge design. Looks like they've put a better bridge on these newer ones though. That whammy's always gonna feel stiff. Not sure there's anything you can do about that. It's just part of the bad design.

Thanks, Chank!

I haven't had any trouble with the bridge, so far it is staying in tune and intonated quite well.

I'm coming to terms with the trem's limited range of motion. I guess it's meant to be more like a Bigsby.

Last edited by Lurker13 on Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JTurbide]

Congrats ! I can't talk about new hagstrom stuff but I used to have a 1972 Hagstrom Viking IN (made in sweden) and it was an amazing guitar, the neck was awesome. I regret selling it.

[Lurker13]

Congrats ! I can't talk about new hagstrom stuff but I used to have a 1972 Hagstrom Viking IN (made in sweden) and it was an amazing guitar, the neck was awesome. I regret selling it.

Thanks, JT!

That Viking must have been a lot of fun. Viking reissues are what led me to Hastrom, but when I saw the H-III, I knew it was for me. But the Vikings are definitely priced quite reasonably, and they get a lot of good reviews. I definitely want to try one some time.

[Heraclitus Akimbo]

Is there a good nerdy site for Hagstrom gearspotting? I have a beat-up old (early 80's?) hand-me-down one, but last time I looked (several years ago) I couldn't find much info to dig out model/year type info.

[Lurker13]

Is there a good nerdy site for Hagstrom gearspotting? I have a beat-up old (early 80's?) hand-me-down one, but last time I looked (several years ago) I couldn't find much info to dig out model/year type info.

I haven't been able to find anything like a Hagstrom forum. Have you tried ebay or contacting Hagstrom directly? Here is the Hagstrom link: https://www.hagstromguitars.com/

Edit - I just came across this website called Vintage Guitar and Bass, maybe it will help. http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/hagstrom/catalogues/1972_1.php

Last edited by Lurker13 on Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jero]

I would certainly play that guitar. Looks great with the Fender too!

[Lurker13]

I would certainly play that guitar. Looks great with the Fender too!

Thanks Jero, and I think you would love playing this guitar.