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hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 614
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 2:10 pm:   Edit Post

So I was doing a gig Friday afternoon, and some guy came in and gave me an old Hagstrom 8 string...I know, lucky...maybe...

I know nothing about these guitars so I'm here to access the vast knowledge base of the Alembic club.

There's three strings currently on it and they fret out. I'm guessing this is because the instrument is set up for the full 8 strings, which is a lot of tension, so without that the neck is bowing backwards. However, looking at the neck from the side, it seems like there's a bit of a twist to it, and look at the bridge...is that normal?

Anyway, I was thinking of just throwing an 8 string set on there and seeing what happens. It looks like a short scale neck, though, and all I see on juststrings.com are 34-35 scale. hag 1
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 615
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 2:11 pm:   Edit Post

Bridge. hag 2
peoplechipper
Advanced Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 248
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah, that's normal. Lucky you! put fresh strings on and enjoy! the neck should be fine with a whole set on but you'll wanna put light gauge strings on there as it's a thin neck(although that Hagstrom h-bar truss rod works well)...I just bought a reissue one and it's fun to play but the old ones are very cool...they are short scale, my new one is 30.75" but maybe that is a good thing as you're fretting 2 strings at once?...anyway, enjoy it as I know you will as Hagstroms are easy and fun to play; I'm on my third one and I sometimes kick myself for selling my 2 old ones(trying to resist G.A.S. to no avail...) Tony
seventhsunbass
Junior
Username: seventhsunbass

Post Number: 29
Registered: 4-2011
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 11:50 pm:   Edit Post

That is a nice find. The 8 string basses are a rare bird but they have their uses, i.e. power trio for instance. I had an Ibanez MC980, which was a 32" scale, on which I used D'Addario Electric Bass XL Nickel 8 string set. Even though they say 'Long Scale', I found they worked very well and were very punchy and bright.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1691
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 5:32 am:   Edit Post

The Hagstrom 8 is a 30.75 inch short scale. I have used the D'Addario XL Nickel 8 string set on mine for a number of years without problems. GHS makes a medium scale set that should also work. The number is 8MS-DYB. I have not tried them so cannot vouch for them. I found both on juststrings.com .

Keith
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 1000
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post

I've got a friend with a vintage '60's era Hagstrom guitar (six string). It had a ton of switches and nearly two of them actually worked. :-) They definitely have their own vibe. These seem to be gaining in popularity, especially with followers of bands like the White Stripes. If it sounds cool and the price is right, I say go with it.
sparechaynge
Junior
Username: sparechaynge

Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2010
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 9:18 am:   Edit Post

Ha! Right about the switches Hydrargyrum. Only one on my dad's still works. Hags are definitely cool guitars but almost always need some TLC. Be cautious when handling "The 8" hb3; even with extra-light strings the neck/head is very susceptible to cracking.

(Message edited by Sparechaynge on July 11, 2011)
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1013
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 9:29 am:   Edit Post

The rhythm player in my high school bands had 2 Hagstroms. One was sort of LP shaped, the other was Strat-like, with a ton'o'switches. They all worked, and all did something, but we never really figured out exactly what. The Strat-like was nice, the LP-type was one of the nicest guitars I've met. Can't speak to sturdiness; he was constantly buying & selling - didn't have either one long enough to tell.

Peter
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1692
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 9:49 am:   Edit Post

As the far as the switches go they do have a tendency to oxidize. I just use a little Caig's Deoxit and exercise them to clean off the oxidation. I've had my 67' since 1972 and have never had any issues with the neck of head.

Keith
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 617
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 11:53 am:   Edit Post

Keith,

Are the d'Addarios EXL170-8?

Thanks
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 1001
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 12:21 pm:   Edit Post

Peter,

I believe the LP style was called commonly called the "Standard 80", or the "Swede." Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music can be seen holding one in some of their promo shots.

Roxy
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1694
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 6:10 am:   Edit Post

Hugh,
Yes they are EXL170-8.

Keith
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 618
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 6:51 pm:   Edit Post

Ok, after an epic battle, I got the strings on. But the neck still needs to be pulled back. Keith or anyone, it looks like a cylindrical grooved hole where the truss rod would be...not hexagonal. Anyone know the right tool?

Also -- I gotta give props to the guy who gave me this thing. I don't think I've ever seen frets so worn down. It practically feels like a fretless.
crobbins
Senior Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 885
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Monday, July 18, 2011 - 7:21 pm:   Edit Post

I owned one years ago. Have fun.
peoplechipper
Advanced Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 250
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 12:52 am:   Edit Post

It is an allen wrench to adjust; I think 4mm but it's been awhile, and the frets are small and low to start with "the fastest neck in the world!"
Tony
chuck
Advanced Member
Username: chuck

Post Number: 264
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post

I played one of these for 23 years (1970-1993) but in 4 string. Its called a kings neck. Very slim and fast.

Chuck.
bassilisk
Member
Username: bassilisk

Post Number: 96
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post

I have a couple of Haggys. The first one I got was a HB-1 (the one with the "swimming pool" tin foil on the front). Tiny neck, looks practically flimsy but those pickups are remarkably huge sounding. I understand why these basses left such a mark on so many young players.

The second was a fluke score off ebay. I'm sure people didn't know what it was plus it had a repaired headstock break. It's a Coronado IV with the original Bi-Sonic pickups. It's all mahogany with medium scale neck that has a very comfortable profile. Not exactly a lightweight though. Four rocker switches - one on/off for each pickup and two preset tones for each. A sliding volume control with a protective "towel rack" to prevent accidental adjustments complete the controls. I wish it had tone knobs, but I won't monkey with it - only 810 of these were made.
In spite of that, 3 years ago what comes up on ebay but a gutted body and neck in perfect condition in the same finish! I had to have it and outbid a music store in Germany. Now it is 100% and I have to say it's a lot of fun to play.

I had a Swede bass for a while. They are short scale. It was truly beautifully made and weighed a ton. Unfortunately I just couldn't get it to sound to my satisfaction.

Coronado IV with Bi-Sonics
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 619
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 - 7:56 pm:   Edit Post

Got an alan wrench in there...succeeded in accomplishing not much of anything...I still don't know about this neck. At least the top strings aren't fretting out now. I like it, though...if I could get the action down it'd no doubt be really cool. Right now it's got that good sound of a 12 string acoustic guitar with the strings half an inch above the fingerboard...very Led Zeppelin 3.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1696
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post

I haven't adjusted the action on my Hagstrom 8 for years but I just took a look and I am at 4mm on the E fundamental string and slightly under 4mm on the G side. My guess is I could get it a little lower but I don't play it often enough for it to be worth the effort.

Keith
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2823
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 11:38 am:   Edit Post

The Allen wrench would need to be a metric size - they just don't match up with imperial, and you run the risk of damaging the hexagonal shape beyond the point where the proper wrench would still take.
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 620
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 12:35 pm:   Edit Post

Oh, I was definitely moving it. It just didn't seem like it was having any effect. I'll try again later, then maybe take it somewhere. I'm enjoying playing it. It does still seem like there's a weird twist to the neck up around the first three frets.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1697
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 2:00 pm:   Edit Post

I wouldn't expect any twist like you describe. While a twist is possible the Hagstrom 8 uses an "H" shaped truss rod which generally provides for a very stable neck.

Are you trying to add more or less relief?

If you tighten the truss rod (i.e. clockwise rotation) do you feel any resistance or is it loose?

Have you tried adjusting it with less tension on the neck (loose strings)?

Here is a link to the neck and truss rod details.

One other thing that comes to mind is you say the problem is around the first three frets. Could it be the way the strings sit in the nut and you need a new nut with more height?

Keith
afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member
Username: afrobeat_fool

Post Number: 345
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 3:41 pm:   Edit Post

There is one for sale here in PDX if anyone is interested. http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/2497564429.html

Nick
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 621
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 4:04 pm:   Edit Post

Keith,

Thanks so much. Cool web page. I think I'll take some photos of the neck again and maybe that will help. The alan wrench I was using was troublesome and a pain -- it's part of a set that doesn't really fit in the short space between the neck and first pickup, so I'm not really making precise movements, but when I did manage to get it in there, there was definitely resistance.

The nut seems ok. The twist I'm describing is a subtle effect...like the next slowly, almost imperceptibly, starting to corkscrew...it's so slight, it may be nothing, but it does become visible to me near the top of the neck.
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 622
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 4:22 pm:   Edit Post

Ok, here we go. What you should see here is the action up high and the action near the nut, plus the bridge again. Does the bridge assembly need to be lowered?

hag 3

hag 4

hag 5
slicknickhaas
Junior
Username: slicknickhaas

Post Number: 43
Registered: 10-2009
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 5:35 pm:   Edit Post

I'm no expert but it almost looks like the truss rod needs a good tweak, maybe even the bridge. I just reworked an old Krammer 8 string recently, had a heck of a time getting the bridge set up right. even thought it had an aluminum neck I had to remove the last 2 frets and a small chunk of the fret board just so the strings could clear it when you play below the 7th fret.

try lowering the bridge first, but from the looks of it the strings may bottom out at the top of the fret board, so you may have to play with both the bridge and truss rod to make play. if all ells fails you have a great wall hanger there
crobbins
Senior Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 889
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 6:12 pm:   Edit Post

davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 10294
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 6:48 pm:   Edit Post

Based on the pics, I would think the bridge needs to be lowered substantially.
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 623
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 7:43 pm:   Edit Post

Believe it or not, in that pic I'd already lowered the bridge a bit -- the screws are getting pretty tight...but...here we go...
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 624
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 8:09 pm:   Edit Post

Ok, I got it. I just didn't understand how the bridge worked. The action came down great. Oh, yeah -- it's functional.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 10296
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 7:24 am:   Edit Post

Yay!!!
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 720
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 9:41 am:   Edit Post

Great pic, Graig!
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 625
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 12:05 pm:   Edit Post

I'm digging the bass quite a bit. One further question. All the switches are quite scratchy, and one cuts off the volume totally. Any cleaning advice? The volume pot isn't so hot either.

Thanks so much.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 10301
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 12:12 pm:   Edit Post

I've used this from Radio Shack. I don't know if it's the best choice, but if you have a Radio Shack near by you can probably pick it up today.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1698
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 1:10 pm:   Edit Post

I use Caig's Deoxit. You should be able to pick it up at Radio Shack or other electronics oriented stores. It should work on both the switches and volume pot.

Note that the solo switch by the neck is a standby switch.

Keith
hb3
Senior Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 626
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011 - 5:15 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks. I'll get something at the local RS....
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 711
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, July 22, 2011 - 2:55 pm:   Edit Post

if you decide you don't want it I'll take it and paying shipping and for the strings ;)amazing luck though!!

~Taylor

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