Hagstrom Bass I Model FB 1966 Red

Retrofret Stock # 6202. Hagstrom Bass I Model FB Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Sweden, serial # 651834, red finish, hardwood and plastic body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original grey chipboard case. The Swedish-made Hagstrom line of guitars was imported to the US in the mid 1960's by Mershon Musical Products of New York; they were well-engineered and inexpensive and appear to have sold very well. The Hagstrom I series bodies used a clear back-painted acrylic front mounted to a plywood core, resulting in a light and very colorful looking instrument. The necks are very slim, re-inforced with a very sophisticated metal-sheathed truss rod system ("The Hagstrom Secret" according to the catalogs) that keeps them very true over time and very easy to play. The two pickups are controlled by a single master volume knob and a bank of switches allowing on/off for each and "Mute" and "Tone" functions. These light and handy basses were very popular with amateur teen combos in the mid-late 60's and are still an excellent bargain in a good quality vintage bass guitar.Overall length is 44 1/4 in. (112.4 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/16 in. (3.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 1/2 in. (775 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.). Pretty clean overall, some light wear; there is a small solid crack in the Lucite by the jack but the area is still solid, and a scrape to the metal plate by the volume knob. All original except the nut; a very nice player complete with the original heavy chip case. Excellent - Condition.