1967 Hagstrom H8 8-String Bass

Hagstrom H8 8-String Bass 1967 full front view

Comments	Hagstrom produced many popular instruments from the 1950s to 1970s, but could never make significant inroads to the North American market. This 1967 Hagstrom H8 8-String Bass is a good example of what the company was producing at the time. The angular and somewhat asymmetrical shape are clearly influenced by American instruments, including the Gibson SG and Fender Stratocaster. The 8-string bass is an interesting idea, and it has been used in a number of places. It may be that it fits better into a studio or recording context, where the full tone and wide range of the double courses can be managed to best effect. The Hagstrom H8 bass was famously used on the Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland sessions, but an H8 and a custom Alembic version of the instrument was used on a number of Led Zeppelin tracks, in particular Achilles Last Stand.
Serial Number	723168, built during 1967 in Alvdalen, Sweden.
Pricing	$1,599.00 CAD with non-original case.
Neck	Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard. 30.75 inch scale length.
Frets	21 frets with some wear.
Body	Mahogany slab body, influenced by the Gibson SG design, with pointed cutaways and comfort contours.
Finish	Original gloss red transluscent finish in reasonable condition; some belt buckle marks but no signs of abuse.
Hardware/electronics	Original hardware – Van Ghent tuners, two pickups with slider selector switches, tone and mute switches, volume control.
Playability/Action	Plays well and cleanly. Any double-course instrument plays a bit differently than a similar single-course instrument.
Case	Newer, non-original hardshell case included.