Hagstrom Bass I Model FB Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Sweden, black finish, hardwood body with lucite cap, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original grey chipboard case.
The Swedish-made Hagstrom line of guitars was imported to the US in the mid 1960's by Mershon Musical Products of New York; they were well-engineered and inexpensive and appear to have sold very well. The Hagstrom I series bodies used a clear back-painted acrylic front mounted to a plywood core, resulting in a light and very colorful looking instrument. The necks are very slim, re-inforced with a very sophisticated metal-sheathed truss rod system ("The Hagstrom Secret" according to the catalogs) that keeps them very true over time and very easy to play. The two pickups are controlled by a single master volume knob and a bank of switches allowing on/off for each and "Mute" and "Tone" functions. These light and handy basses were very popular with amateur teen combos in the mid-late 60's and are still an excellent bargain in a good quality vintage bass guitar.
Overall length is 44 1/4 in. (112.4 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 in. (2.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 in. (25 mm.). A nice clean bass overall, with some light wear; most notably a few very small finish chips to the back of the neck. All original; no repairs or alterations this is a very nice player complete with the original heavy chip case. Excellent Condition.
