Hagstrom 2B

this bass has swiches for on/off, mute, tone and pickup 1 and pickup 2. Quite a varied sound is achievable, the mute switch is useful, but I find the on/off switch really good in the studio.

Pretty much 1960's, but much more versatile than a short scale Gibson ebo...quite quiet in use, but I think the jack socket on my bass requires attention....just age I think.

First class action. Unbelievable speed can be obtained without much effort.
Pickups are nicely balanced, with outputs equal to my Fender Precision.
Has a plastic nut, not sure if this is original, but most of the photos of Hagstrom basses seem to show this feature as standard.
Sunburst finish on my guitar is of quality and is original.
Wood work is first class, must have been pretty pricey when new.

1966 and all the fittings are in great condition.
Very dependable bass with no issues

I believe an earlier reviewer said that parts are pretty much ok to be had.....the swiches are the same as Fender Jaguar etc. and are available from Allparts for very little dosh.

I can't think of any other short scale bass of this quality that could be bought for so little...I now collect Hagstroms as a result of owning this bass. There finish and playing action is very, very good.

My 2b is of 1965 vintage. Great neck, the fastest I've ever played and that includes any Fender Jazz ( I own two 1963 models )
Pickups are ok ...see previous review for details.......switches are useful, particularly the mute for quieter passages in songs...not sure that the kill switch should be on the top horn though, as it can be turned off by accident quite easily.....still, a minor criticism.....

Sound is fine throughout string range, though the bottom E lacks a little definition. I have owned other short scale basses, inc. Mustangs and EBOs...this seems to be a problem with short scale however, and not a fault of Hagstrom's design....
Again refer to earlier review...

Action is incredible, finish is good in cellulose and the quality of the routing is very impressive.
Top notch frets and fine rosewood fret board show that Hagstrom cared for quality and sound...............Yeah, good stuff,

Used it a lot and is not any more fragile than most other basses, however, it doesn't have TANK build like a G&L or Musicman, but hey, it's 1965!

Most spares now avalilable I hear.......

Been playing since 1975 and I own some very nice guitars....Iwould not consider selling the Hag, as it has it's place in my arsenal.
It is possibly the best short scale bass I've owned for playability.
It is used through an Ampeg V4B and an Ampeg 1015 cab.

Made in Early 1966, Alvadalen, Sweden.
21 Frets, 4 Strings.
Solid Top.
A) Volume Knob.
B) Mute Switch.
C) Tone Switch.
D) Bridge Pickup Switch.
E) Neck Pickup Switch.
F) Standby Switch.

Two Vintage Hagstrom Single-Coil Pickups, 11.0 & 10.0 kOhms respectively.
Passive Electronics.
Baltic Birch Body and Neck.
Nitro-Cellulose Gloss Finish Body and Neck.
Modified "SG" Double-Cutaway Body Style.
Wood-Block Bridge and Steel Tailpiece.
Non-Locking Reverse-Wound Vintage Van Ghent Tuners.
Super-Slim and Ultra Fast Narrow Neck ( 1 & 1/2" Neck Width at the Nut. ) Legendary Hagstrom Truss-Rod System.
32-Inch Medium Scale.
Came without Case, Gig Bag, or Accessories. I had to Buy a 3MM Metric Truss Wrench for Adjusting the Neck.

This Bass, although different from other Hagstroms I have Owned, has Applications for Classic to Modern Styles of Music, Dependent upon Switch and Amp EQ Settings. It is not as Full or Rich as some other Basses ( I.E. Fenders ), but it does Cut thru the Mix. I Presently have it Strung with D'Addario ENR71 Medium-Scale 1/2 Rounds, but I am going to soon try a Set of D'Addario Chrome Flatwounds.
One Concern I have is that there is Little Fret Life left on the Third and Fourth Frets, so Flatwounds are the best way to go to Preserve the Frets.
The Bass makes a Bunch of Cool Sounds, but I don't Love the Tone Switch.....it's All or Nothing ! It could be Modified with a Capacitor and a Different Resistance Value Volume Pot, but I am going to Leave it as Original for now.

Old Bass, Lots of Nicks and Stuff, Plus an Earlier Owner had tried to Refin the Back of the Neck and the Colors did not Match, rendering the Bass a Player-Grade Vintage Collectible. Everything except the Neck Refin is Original, however.

Took the Bass out to a Couple of Open-Stage Jams...No Problems. I had Previously Installed Strap-Locks. Hey, after Forty Years, this Bass has Proven itself !

At 6 Lbs., it is a Light Bass, very Guitar-Like.

Playing since 1969.
Also Own a Hofner Model 185 Early 60's Solid-Body Bass, a Hofner 70's Model 4890 Western Acoustic Guitar, a Hartke Kickback 10 Amp, a Fender BXR25 Amp, and a Rolls Mini-Mix 51 System.

I Probably wouldn't Buy another Bass like this. I Really don't Like Switches, especially the Tone Switch.