A Piece of Swedish Guitar History
The Hagstrom Swede is one of those guitars that deserves a lot more recognition than it typically gets. Built in Älvdalen, Sweden from 1970 to 1982, the Swede arrived at a moment when Hagstrom was at the top of its game — and it shows. Single cutaway body, dual humbuckers, and all-mahogany construction gave it a voice and feel that stood apart from the Les Paul copies flooding the market at the time. This wasn't a knockoff; it was a genuine alternative with its own personality.
This vintage Electric Guitar is in Fair condition. The guitar is fully functional and has been well preserved, with normal cosmetic wear including finish checking, scratches, dings, and other signs of age that are to be expected from a vintage instrument. It has This instrument has undergone several component replacements over time. Various parts—including hardware and/or electronics—have been changed from their original factory specifications. As a result, the instrument is not be entirely original, but it remains fully functional and ready to perform. Large wood crack in body, other dings, and cosmetic issues. Please see pictures for details. Please review the photos carefully, as they provide the best representation of the instrument's overall condition.
All-Mahogany Construction, Made in Sweden
The Swede's body is solid mahogany — a single cutaway with an arched top, bound edges, and a contoured back. Unlike the Les Paul it was clearly inspired by, the Swede uses a bolt-on mahogany neck rather than a glued-in set neck, which contributes to its own distinct tonal character. The neck profile is a comfortable medium "D" shape, and the bound ebony fretboard carries 22 frets with pearloid block inlays and a 12" radius. The nut width of 1-11/16" will feel familiar to anyone who's spent time on a Les Paul.
Scale length is 24.75" — the same as a Gibson — so the string tension and feel will be right at home for players coming from that world. The H-Expander truss rod, a Hagstrom-patented design used across their entire guitar line, is built into the neck. Hagstrom's proprietary truss rod system is one of the more clever pieces of vintage guitar engineering you'll find from this era.
Dual Humbuckers and That Signature Tone Switch
The Swede came from the factory with two original Hagstrom humbuckers, each with its own dedicated volume and tone control. A standard 3-way pickup selector gives you bridge, both, or neck — and then there's the feature that makes the Swede genuinely distinct: a separate 3-position tone filter switch on the upper bout. This toggle shifts the overall character of the guitar between different tonal voicings, adding a layer of flexibility that you just don't find on a standard Les Paul-style instrument.
Note that this particular guitar has undergone component replacements over time — hardware and/or electronics may differ from factory spec. See the condition notes above and review the photos for details on the current state of the instrument.
The Hagstrom Legacy
Hagstrom guitars from the 1970s earned their reputation the hard way — on stages and in studios across Europe and North America. Artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Frank Zappa to Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA played Hagstroms during this era. The Swede in particular was Hagstrom's flagship electric model, and these instruments are increasingly sought after by players and collectors who appreciate a guitar with genuine character and history. When Hagstrom ceased production in 1983, the vintage originals became the real deal — and finding one that's still fully playable is the goal.
Product Features:
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Body: Solid mahogany, single cutaway with arched top and contoured back
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Neck: Bolt-on mahogany with medium "D" profile and Hagstrom H-Expander truss rod
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Fretboard: Bound ebony, 22 frets, 12" radius, pearloid block inlays
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Nut Width: 1-11/16"
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Scale Length: 24.75"
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Pickups: 2x Hagstrom original humbuckers (original spec; some components may have been replaced — see condition notes)
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Controls: 2x volume, 2x tone, 3-way pickup selector switch, 3-position tone filter toggle
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Bridge: Chrome-plated Tune-o-Matic style bridge
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Country of Origin: Made in Sweden (Älvdalen factory)
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Production Era: 1970–1982 original run
Brand: Hagstrom
Model: Swede
SKU: U-SWEDE|53-913361
Condition: Used
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