Re: My Hagstrom Viking

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:11 pm

So, I finally got around to taking some guitars out to my mother's backyard, for the lovely Australian suburban garden background. Green contrasts well with guitars.

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:12 pm

Body:

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:13 pm

The pickups. Bill Lawrence L-610 in the bridge, L-609 in the neck. Frikkin' awesome pups, let me tell ya.

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:15 pm

Headstock. Dig them groovy melting deco tuners. They work surprisingly well, too, no upgrade needed.

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:16 pm

A friend drops in to check things out:

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:17 pm

Impressive spider web.

That's right, I can't stay on-topic even when I'm taking photographs.

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:32 pm

My review:

Damn fine guitar. Yes, it's made in China, but don't let that put you off, the Chinese can make great guitars. And Chinese girls are hot, not that that's directly related. These guitars are really good quality, and for the price they're a ridiculous bargain. Considering this guitar was about 10% of the price of a Gibson ES335 and is easily 90% of the quality of any Gibby I've ever tried, I'm overjoyed with it.

There are imperfections, and I have a few reservations, but overall I'm so happy with the guitar that it would be churlish to nitpick.

The pickups: Well, the original Hagstrom 'buckers are pleasant but bland, not bad but nothing to get excited about. The Bill Lawrence pups are excellent. The L-610 is kind of P90-esque, but a little more refined. The L-609 is sweet, quite similar to a Jazzmaster pup in tone, perhaps a little chunkier, but very clear and articulate. Both are very single-coil sounding but due to Bill's shielding expertise, they have the least amount of hum of any pickup I've ever heard, humbuckers included. I can record with this guitar right next to the computer monitor and there is no interference. None.

Questions?

JazzBlaster · Post by **JazzBlaster** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:50 pm

gorgeous

bish · Post by **bish** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:24 pm

That is really beautiful guitar, very nice!

Mighty Tom · Post by **Mighty Tom** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:53 pm

Nice. The fleur-de-lis inlay is a classy touch.

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:04 pm

Mighty Tom wrote: Nice. The fleur-de-lis inlay is a classy touch.

The inlay on the headstock looks like real abalone to me, which I thought was illegal nowadays. If it's fake, they've done a remarkable job. You don't really get the full effect in the photo... yet every speck of dust shows up perfectly.

Mighty Tom · Post by **Mighty Tom** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:05 pm

You mean it's not silver sparkle?

djetz · Post by **djetz** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:30 pm

Mighty Tom wrote: You mean it's not silver sparkle?

Ha ha! You inspired me to look more closely, and now I think I've identified it: it's the same stuff they make pearly pickguards out of. I could have sworn I saw colours in there, like real abalone, but no, it's plastic.

Deckard · Post by **Deckard** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:52 am

Its a lovely looking guitar. I hate to think what monster spider built that web tho!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:37 am

We're virtually twins, djetz

Mine are GFS Dream 90s though.