Hagström Viking 1 White 1978

Hagström started as an accordion manufacturer before moving into Swedish-made electric guitars in the late 1950s, and the Viking became one of the company’s best-known semi-hollow models. The original Viking line was introduced in the 1960s, and by the late 1970s the Viking 1 had developed into a distinctive Hagström take on the thinline double-cutaway format, with bolt-on neck construction, twin humbuckers, Hagström hardware and the company’s unmistakable headstock design.

The Viking is strongly associated with Hagström’s classic Swedish production era. The model family has also had some serious visibility over the years, not least through Elvis Presley’s use of a Viking II during the famous 1968 Comeback Special. Hagström guitars have also been used by players including Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Pat Smear and Larry Coryell, helping give the brand a lasting reputation well beyond its original Swedish market.

This 1978 Hagström Viking 1 has the typical late-70s layout, with a bound semi-hollow body, twin covered humbuckers, black Hagström pickguard, adjustable bridge, Hagström trapeze tailpiece and two-toggle switching. It is in great condition for its age, with standard playwear and minor dings. The frets are in great shape and were most likely replaced at some point, so the guitar plays very well. The guitar is otherwise all original, including pickups, electronics, hardware and plastics. Weight is 3500g. No case or bag is included.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Hagström Viking 1
• Year: 1978
• Made in: Sweden
• Construction: thinline semi-hollow double-cutaway electric guitar
• Body: semi-hollow laminated body with centre block
• Body shape: double cutaway
• Top: laminated arched top
• Back and sides: laminated arched back and sides
• Neck: bolt-on neck
• Truss rod: Hagström H-Expander truss rod system
• Scale length: 628 mm
• Nut width: approx. 43 mm
• Fingerboard: rosewood
• Fingerboard inlays: pearloid dot inlays with double-dot 12th fret marker
• Frets: 22, most likely refretted
• Body binding: multi-ply body binding
• F-holes: bound f-holes
• Headstock: bound Hagström headstock with black faceplate, logo and fleur-de-lis style inlay
• Pickups: 2 original Hagström covered humbuckers
• Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone
• Switching: 2 three-way toggle switches
• Bridge: adjustable chrome bridge with individual saddles
• Tailpiece: Hagström trapeze tailpiece with crest badge
• Tuners: original Hagström chrome tuners with sculpted buttons
• Pickguard: raised black Hagström pickguard
• Hardware: chrome
• Finish: White gloss, aged to cream
• Weight: 3500g