Hagstrom 8-String Bass H-8 Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968)
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Item # 8424
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Hagstrom 8-String Bass H-8 Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1968), made in Sweden, serial # 723459, sunburst lacquer finish, Baltic birch body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original grey chipboard case.
One of the more endearing oddball electric basses of the 1960s, the Hagstrom H-8 was the only production 8-string bass of the decade (Rickenbacker made a few on custom order) and remains one of the few of its type ever attempted as a standard catalog instrument. Essentially the bass version of a 12-string guitar, the H-8 is strung in octaves with a higher string above each bass string. The sound is similar to a bass and guitar playing in unison and creates a very rich tonal effect.
The features and fittings are typical for period Hagstrom basses. The sculpted double-cutaway solid body is mated to a very slim neck, amazingly so for an 8-string instrument. It mounts two excellent-sounding single coil pickups and a bank of slide switches for controlling them, with only a single volume pot. Despite its imposing appearance it's very easy to play, with a standard 30 1/2" short scale fingerboard, low action, and Hagstrom adjustable bridge. Perhaps the oddest feature visually is the mix of large and small Van Ghent tuners on the headstock. The body is finished in a muted dark sunburst, one of two color options available.
The H-8 enjoyed a brief burst of popularity in the late '60s, being the only one of its kind generally available in a musically adventurous era. It is notable in retrospect mostly for appearing on several Jimi Hendrix cuts played by both Noel Redding and Hendrix himself. The admittedly specialist instrument saw some success but slipped out of production by the 'beginning of the 70s and is fairly rare today.
The sound is unique and often underappreciated. It makes an excellent addition to any studio arsenal, perhaps more as an overdub/accent piece than a standard bass. In the late '70s, Cheap Trick took the idea to further extremes with Tom Petersson's 12-string basses, which created a sort of bass-and-rhythm-guitar wall of sound onstage. The Hagstrom H-8 remains one of those under-utilized sonic gems, still waiting to be fully exploited and appreciated!
Overall length is 43 in. (109.2 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a very nice example overall, with some light wear. It remains original except for a replaced volume knob. The finish has some small dings and chips, mostly to the edges, but no major wear. The neck has been refretted with the original style wire; there are no other repairs or alterations.
Everything works as intended, except the "Kill" switch on the upper bout has been disconnected (many players do this as it can shut the bass off unintentionally, often at inconvenient moments!). The neck is excellent and this is a very playable and great-sounding example of this pioneering instrument, complete in its worn but functional original heavy chipboard case. Excellent - Condition.
One of the more endearing oddball electric basses of the 1960s, the Hagstrom H-8 was the only production 8-string bass of the decade (Rickenbacker made a few on custom order) and remains one of the few of its type ever attempted as a standard catalog instrument. Essentially the bass version of a 12-string guitar, the H-8 is strung in octaves with a higher string above each bass string. The sound is similar to a bass and guitar playing in unison and creates a very rich tonal effect.
The features and fittings are typical for period Hagstrom basses. The sculpted double-cutaway solid body is mated to a very slim neck, amazingly so for an 8-string instrument. It mounts two excellent-sounding single coil pickups and a bank of slide switches for controlling them, with only a single volume pot. Despite its imposing appearance it's very easy to play, with a standard 30 1/2" short scale fingerboard, low action, and Hagstrom adjustable bridge. Perhaps the oddest feature visually is the mix of large and small Van Ghent tuners on the headstock. The body is finished in a muted dark sunburst, one of two color options available.
The H-8 enjoyed a brief burst of popularity in the late '60s, being the only one of its kind generally available in a musically adventurous era. It is notable in retrospect mostly for appearing on several Jimi Hendrix cuts played by both Noel Redding and Hendrix himself. The admittedly specialist instrument saw some success but slipped out of production by the 'beginning of the 70s and is fairly rare today.
The sound is unique and often underappreciated. It makes an excellent addition to any studio arsenal, perhaps more as an overdub/accent piece than a standard bass. In the late '70s, Cheap Trick took the idea to further extremes with Tom Petersson's 12-string basses, which created a sort of bass-and-rhythm-guitar wall of sound onstage. The Hagstrom H-8 remains one of those under-utilized sonic gems, still waiting to be fully exploited and appreciated!
Overall length is 43 in. (109.2 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a very nice example overall, with some light wear. It remains original except for a replaced volume knob. The finish has some small dings and chips, mostly to the edges, but no major wear. The neck has been refretted with the original style wire; there are no other repairs or alterations.
Everything works as intended, except the "Kill" switch on the upper bout has been disconnected (many players do this as it can shut the bass off unintentionally, often at inconvenient moments!). The neck is excellent and this is a very playable and great-sounding example of this pioneering instrument, complete in its worn but functional original heavy chipboard case. Excellent - Condition.