Comments : Hagstrom has a long history of mass producing instruments in Europe under a number of brand names, but never gained mass acceptance in North America.
In 1962, Hagstrom launched a series of basses/guitars with coloured hard plastic (lucite) tops and vinyl covered backs. However, due to concerns of durability, these were given the brand name ‘Kent’. With the plastics used, they also featured a molded plastic pickguard with a ‘swimming pool’ between the two rounded single coil pickups. A curved control plated offered switches for pickup and tone (capacitor) selection, plus a mute switch, and a volume control.
This example, a 1965 Hagstrom 1 Bass, is very interesting. She plays quite well, and would be quite usable instrument.
Serial Number 640968 Hagstrom batch dating information isn’t readily available, we know that production of the HB1 started in late 1965 (renamed from its ‘Kent’ brand name and entered the Hagstrom catalog) and the pickups changed to a rectangular shape in 1966. Consequently, am dating her to 1965.
Pricing $1,200 CAD with case.
Neck Maple neck with unbound rosewood fingerboard; Fender-headshape with original frets.
Finish Baby-blue molded lucite top, and blue vinyl material on the back. Neck/headstock lacquered black.
Hardware/Electronic: Entirely original except for the strings.
Playability/Action: Playable as is, action is low but adjustable on bridge.
$US1,2000 shipped Canada/US
In 1962, Hagstrom launched a series of basses/guitars with coloured hard plastic (lucite) tops and vinyl covered backs. However, due to concerns of durability, these were given the brand name ‘Kent’. With the plastics used, they also featured a molded plastic pickguard with a ‘swimming pool’ between the two rounded single coil pickups. A curved control plated offered switches for pickup and tone (capacitor) selection, plus a mute switch, and a volume control.
This example, a 1965 Hagstrom 1 Bass, is very interesting. She plays quite well, and would be quite usable instrument.
Serial Number 640968 Hagstrom batch dating information isn’t readily available, we know that production of the HB1 started in late 1965 (renamed from its ‘Kent’ brand name and entered the Hagstrom catalog) and the pickups changed to a rectangular shape in 1966. Consequently, am dating her to 1965.
Pricing $1,200 CAD with case.
Neck Maple neck with unbound rosewood fingerboard; Fender-headshape with original frets.
Finish Baby-blue molded lucite top, and blue vinyl material on the back. Neck/headstock lacquered black.
Hardware/Electronic: Entirely original except for the strings.
Playability/Action: Playable as is, action is low but adjustable on bridge.
$US1,2000 shipped Canada/US
