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Hagstrom first began building guitars and basses in 1957, although many models appeared under the Futurama trademark in England (distributed by Selmer, U.K.) and either Hagstrom or Goya (distributed by Hershman Musical Instrument Company).
Hagstrom produced roughly 130,000 electric guitars and basses from 1958 to 1981 in Alvdalen, Sweden. During the early ยด80s until 1983, a few instruments were manufactured under the Hagstrom name in Japan. Due to quality concerns and ever increasing competition, the doors were eventually closed in 1983.
Distributors included the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York, the Merson Musical Supply Company of Westbury, New York, Selmer, U.K. and eventually Ampeg. The evolution of the Hagstrom line was rapid, and approximately sixty-five different models of guitars and basses were produced. (Featured here are the more popular and well-known models.) Early in its history, guitars were marketed in the U.K. as Futurama and in the US as Goya, Kent (a name that rarely appeared on the guitar and should not be confused with Kent trademark guitars) or Hagstrom. By 1965, all guitars were identified as Hagstrom.
Hagstrom produced both solid body and semi-hollowbody electrics, as well as an archtop model designed by luthier James L. D'Aquisto. Also introduced was the first eight-string bass (four pairs of strings) and the "fastest neck in the world" which was accomplished by using an H shape "expander stretcher" truss, a design that has allowed the necks to remain true even to this day.
In 2004, Hagstrom announced that they were building guitars again. This line was officially introduced at the 2005 NAMM show. Hagstrom has always been known for their electric designs, but this new line of guitars featured standard acoustic models that lasted one year. For more information contact Hagstrom directly.
Hagstrom produced roughly 130,000 electric guitars and basses from 1958 to 1981 in Alvdalen, Sweden. During the early ยด80s until 1983, a few instruments were manufactured under the Hagstrom name in Japan. Due to quality concerns and ever increasing competition, the doors were eventually closed in 1983.
Distributors included the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York, the Merson Musical Supply Company of Westbury, New York, Selmer, U.K. and eventually Ampeg. The evolution of the Hagstrom line was rapid, and approximately sixty-five different models of guitars and basses were produced. (Featured here are the more popular and well-known models.) Early in its history, guitars were marketed in the U.K. as Futurama and in the US as Goya, Kent (a name that rarely appeared on the guitar and should not be confused with Kent trademark guitars) or Hagstrom. By 1965, all guitars were identified as Hagstrom.
Hagstrom produced both solid body and semi-hollowbody electrics, as well as an archtop model designed by luthier James L. D'Aquisto. Also introduced was the first eight-string bass (four pairs of strings) and the "fastest neck in the world" which was accomplished by using an H shape "expander stretcher" truss, a design that has allowed the necks to remain true even to this day.
In 2004, Hagstrom announced that they were building guitars again. This line was officially introduced at the 2005 NAMM show. Hagstrom has always been known for their electric designs, but this new line of guitars featured standard acoustic models that lasted one year. For more information contact Hagstrom directly.
Instruments currently produced overseas since 2004. Instruments previously produced in Sweden between 1957 and 1983. Distributed by U.S. Music Corp. in Buffalo Grove, IL. Previously distributed by American Music & Sound (AM&S) in Agoura Hills, CA between 2004 and 2009. Early distributors included the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York (under Goya logo) and Selmer, U.K. (under Futurama logo). In the mid-1970s, Ampeg became the U.S. distributor.