Hagstrom H II BN

i love my sun burst hagstron it is so assum. i just found out what it was. my mom gave it to my when i first started playing guitar. and i just love it. its great .

the last guy that had it played the **** out of it and it needs new freets but thats about it

it is so easy to play your hand just slides it self i couldn't have a better first eletric guitar.

im about to retire it because i ain't got the money to get it refreeted

the best guitar ever

Made in 1972 in Sweeden. This one is number 211 of about 275 made. Was made mostly for the Canadian market. All mahogany construction.....deep cherry red in color with rosewood finger board. 31" scale. Two pickups (humbuckers). Same body as H II N except "B" denotes bass guitar.Excellent finish on this guitar. No fading or age checking has appeared even after 35 years. Guitar still looks new. Thin neck and short scale gives it an easy touch and very fast. There is a photo here with some of my other stuff. http://www.mts.net/~kalyta/guitar%20collection%202.jpg
I am giving it a 10 for features as it has everything you need (toggle selector switch, two tone and two volume controls as well as off/on switch) and all good quality hardware. I used an electrical contact cleaner to deoxidize pots and switches and everything works smooth and silent.

This guitar works for me. It is small and light and easy to carry all night at a gig. I use a Traynor YBA-1 with a 6 X 10 bottom. Sound ranges from very deep muffled bass to bright ring depending on settings.

The action is great. Short scale makes it fast and also easy to finger.Guitar has no flaws and the finish is awesome.

Don't know if the Sweedes ever made anything unreliable. After 35 years this thing still looks like new and I have been giging with it for over 20 years without a backup.Has an "H" style truss rod that will keep the neck arrow straight.I have retired and only use it once a week. It will outlast me.

It has never needed repair.

I have been playing going on 40 years.I bought this Hag at a farm auction almost 30 years ago for a steal at $65.00.If I needed to replace it I would look for another one or build my own.If you own one of these I have more photos I can share or just email.

Year made 1971. Buit in Sweden. 21 Frets. 4 Strings. Two Volumes, Two Tones, Standby ( Mute), Pickup Selector. Two Humbucking Pickups. Passive Electronics. Body/Neck/Headstock are all Birch. Transparent Cherry Red Lacquered Finish. Body style similar to a Gibson EB-O except this H II B N Bass has an Offset upper horn and two Humbuckers. Bridge Style is rather light, string-through. Non-Locking Tuners. 30" Scale and narrow, fast neck. Note: I also own a 1969 White H II B N and the neck and body on that Bass are significantly smaller than this 71'. This Bass came with the Original Hardshell Case.

Personally, I like the sound as it suits a variety of Musical Styles, except maybe Metal and Rap. This is not a " Heavy Bass " and was not intended to be. It has a lighter tone and feel than say a Fender Precision. It, due to it's short scale, does not produce as full, rich and sustainful tone as a 34" Scale Bass.
I have only used it with two Amplifiers since I got it a few days ago. I have used it at home through a Fender BXR25 25 Watt Combo, and at a Jam/Rehearsal through an SWR Redhead 240 Watt Combo. Through the BXR25 it sounded " Alright ", keeping in mind the BXR25 is only a basic practice Amp. Through the Redhead, it sounded " AWESOME"! Ballsy, Rich, Punchy, Fat & Warm ! I have yet to use it through my Yorkville 2x10 1x15 Rig, although I used the 69' H II B N through it and it sounded, well, as good as any Bass through a Yorkville would ! After playing through the Redhead, it will be hard to play through the Yorkville period!
The H II B N produces a bright, reasonably warm, full sound.

Factory Set-Up was 31 Years ago. Pretty flawless Bass, extremely high quality, terrific action, neck is still straight as an arrow. Finish has very few hardly noticeable scratches and imperfections.

This Bass is in such good condition that I wonder how much live playing it saw. It is a very top-notch piece of work and has withstood the test of time. I have only used it live once since I got it, and it stood up beautifully. I could depend on it and use it without a backup anytime.

I have only dealt with Hagstrom on parts for my 69' H II B N . The actual instruments were not produced after 1983. Hagstrom responded quite quickly on my parts request.

Playing Bass since 1968. I also own a 1969 White ( turned Blonde! ) Hagstrom H II B N bass Guitar, a 1977 HOB Sunburst Acoustic Guitar, a Yorkville BassMaster 200T 2x10" 200 Watt Bass Combo Amp, a Yorkville BC115 1x15" 300 Watt Bass Extension Speaker Cabinet, a Fender BXR25 25 Watt Bass Practice Amp, and a Rolls Mini-Mix 51 & Phono Pre-Amp System.

Vintage 1969 H II B N Blonde Color ( used to be white ) Very unique and cool looking Bass. This is a review update as I have had some more time to use the Bass. Since last review I have used the Bass in an Open Stage situation, and Private Jam Session. It is a very comfortable, easy-playing Bass. The finish was White but faded to an Off-White or Blondish Hue. I think it actually looks better that way. I went out and purchased a Hard-Shell Case and Lo & Behold it fit like a glove. I had the Pots, Selector & Standby Switches cleaned, and a Set-up done immediately after I received the Bass.
I found out after I received the Bass that the Body, Neck, and Headstock are made entirely out of Birch-quite unique.

With more usage, I see that this Bass has a lighter, mellower sound, clean and crisp. It definitely doesn't have the depth, sustain, and low-end of a 34" scale Bass, such as my Peavey Milestone IV. I would not recommend this bass for Heavy Rock, which doesn't affect me as I don't play that Music anyway ! I have put this bass through a Peavey Mark IV 400 Watt Head & Cerwin-Vega 1x18" Cabinet and it sounded very good. I put it through a Roland DB-500 Digital Bass Combo & it sucked ! I also played it through a Yorkville BassMaster 400 400 Watt Combo and it sounded okay, but not great. The H II B N is a 33 year old Bass and it's output signal is kind of quiet so the Amplifier volume and EQ have to be adjusted accordingly.

I like the Set-up real low, and with the famous Hagstrom lightning-fast neck she plays like a dream. Standby Switch may need replacing.

This Bass did and continues to withstand live playing. It is built like a Brick Shit-house. I would use it without a Backup, God knows others have.

N/A

Could never be replaced exactly. In love with the neck, body size, nice clean, crisp tone.

Well, here we go! I now own a Vintage 1969 Hagstrom H II B N Bass Guitar. Just received it today after a cross-Canada excursion! When I opened the package it was exactly as it had been described by the seller. The White Body is now Off-White due to time, smoke, and ultra-violet light. It actually has a " Nice Vintage look" about it, a look I don't want to change any time soon. Sure, I could fix it all up and make it a "10", but I like authenticity. The neck and headstock have been sanded down to the bare wood. I am not sure of the body materials or neck materials, but I do know Hagstrom made quality instruments. I previously owned a model H 1 B between 1973-1979 and it was a nice Bass. This H II B N Bass was made in Sweden the 34th instrument built of the first production run of the first 200 units built in 1969. It has a short 30" scale, a fast, slim neck and either a rosewood or ebony fretboard. Two passive humbucker pickups, two volumes, two tones, standby switch ( this one doesn't work), pickup-selector switch ( needs to be reversed). Tuners are open-back ( as covers are missing). They are non-locking. I took the Bass out to an open stage for an inaugural run and I noticed the " D " string not staying in tune-I'll have this checked out. Bridge appears adequate.The Bass Body Style is reminiscent of Gibson EB-O Series.

This Bass has a good solid-body sound that would lend itself to a variety of music types. I play Rock and Christian music and the Bass will be quite suitable. The Bass has a lighter, mellower sound than my Peavey Milestone IV 34 " Scale Bass. I play through a Yorkville BassMaster 200T 200 Watt 2x10 Combo Amp. I use the Amp Lined-Out to a PA, or run to my Yorkville BC115 1x15" 300 Watt Bass Extension Cabinet, when I play larger venues ( which is rarely). The 2x10" Combo is usually ample for what I do. I did ( as did others) notice a buzz or hum possibly emanating from the Hagstrom...something to get checked out. The Bass sounds light, bright, reasonably warm, although not as full and rich as a long-scale Bass. Stage or Studio? Don't know yet-I doubt it will be my main stage bass.

This Bass is quite old ( 33 years )and is in " As Is" condition. It's actually in pretty damn good shape considering it's journey!

This Bass already has withstood live playing-the day I got it, and it performed well. However, due to it's age, I would bring a backup.Of course, I still have to put it to the test.

Hagstrom stopped making Guitars in Sweden in 1981.

Playing Bass 34 years, Acoustic Guitar 29 years. I own a 1963 Vintage Reissue Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass, a 2001 Peavey Milestone IV Bass, a HOB 1977 Acoustic Guitar, a Yorkville BassMaster 200T 2x10" 200 Watt Bass Amplifier Combo, a Yorkville BC115 1x15" 300 Watt Bass Extension
Speaker Cabinet, a Fender BXR25 25 Watt Bass Practice Amp, a Rolls Mini-Mix System c/w Phono Pre-Amp. If it were lost/stolen, it would be really hard to replace. I love the unique look, the neck. I don't like the forward strap button.

This is probably a 1971, but maybe earlier, Hagstrom bass guitar with two humbucking pickups. The pickup and control configuration is like an SG guitar. It also has a very nice feature--a mute switch. All guitars should have this feature! It's a mohogany neck and body, stained red and clear-coated. Fretboard appears to be rosewood. Inlays appear to be genuine mother-of-pearl. Guitar is shaped like a Gibson SG and is probably modeled after the Gibson EBO Bass. The bridge pickup is stock and the neck pickup is slightly larger and appears to be a high quality replacement made in Japan--not original to the guitar, though quite compatible in sound and looks. Tuners are the original Hagstroms and work well. Bolt-on (three-bolt neckplate) neck, but solid joint. It's a short-scale bass and is strung with GHS Bomers. The neck taper is thin, unusual for a bass--even a short-scale bass. It has the feel of a regular 6-string guitar. It looks great, plays great and sounds great! The bridge is a chrome Fender Mustang type design and is fully adjustable. It looks a little undermade for a bass, but functions perfectly. The forward strap button placement is ackward, placed under the upper horn.

I play a hard-edged pop-rock style. This is primarily a back-up bass to my 5 string Fender P/J w/EMGs. It works well for classic rock and stuff that's ok to have a "lighter" bass sound on. I bought it as a back-up, and for my 14 year-old daughter who's taking up the bass. I figured the short scale and the relatively light weight would make it easier to learn on. A big plus is that it looks great -- that's important to her! The sound is surprisingly strong, but less deep than full scale basses, as can be expected -- it's a brighter sounding guitar--but has good variation in tone. We've used it in many on-stage and practice situations. At least 5 other serious (pro) bass players have tried it and every one of them has been pleasantly surprised by the quality of construction and sound. I love seeing their expressions when they plug it in and play it for the first time! It's better for stage than studio. I think the stock pots and electronics generally (other than the pickups--which I like very much) could be upgraded to improve the sound, but I'm not looking to put a lot of money in it and I want to keep it as original as possible.

The action is excellent. The guitar is fully adjustable (neck compensation via truss rod, bridge/independent saddle adjustments, pickup height...), and I've set it up with relatively low action for ease of play and it doesn't buzz or have dead spots (frets are original and are still in very fine condition). The materials are high quality and the design and construction are simple, but practical, and this makes for a very playble and good looking instrument (form follows function). The finish appears durable and is very well laid on. The guitar is simple, but of very good quality throughout. This is one of the surprising aspects of the guitar that catches people off guard--at least, those who are unfamiliar with Hagstrom. This is no sixties Japanese cheapo Gibson or Fender rip-off; it's a well-constructed Swedish instrument of quality.

This bass has been played moderately for its some 30-year existence but has held up very well due to the quality of materials and construction. The mohogany is relatively tight-grained (not cheap), the rosewood (fretboard) is very nice (probably Indian). The pickups are respectable, but the other electronics/controls are adequate, not great -- could just be a product of the times, however.

Hagstrom is known as a quality European instrument company. I've not had to deal with customer service, but I presume it's good. Their website is informative...

I've been playing a long time (over 20 years) and own lots and lots of guitar and bass stuff. My current bass amps I play through (simulataneously or separately with a silent A/B switch) are a 1968 Fender Bassman w/2-12" cabinet and a 1968 Ampeg B-25 with a Peavey cabinet that has a 1-18" speaker and 2-10" speakers. I would definitely buy another Hagstrom bass (or even a Hagstrom guitar for that matter) if a good deal came along. I would not necessarily go out and try to replace this bass with another one just like it. But I do recommend this bass model if one could be found in good original condition for $250 or under. I don't really hate anything about this bass (except possibly the placement of the forward strap button). I love the look of the bass. It has a very "goth" or vampire appearance at the body with the pointed ends of the black pickguard over the red body, and the headstock is the coolest! It's a "crown" shape with the "Hagstrom, Made in Sweden" royal looking coat-of-arms. Everyone loves the look.