Hagstrom Viking Deluxe

[Spudman]

Brokering the Viking deal for my good friend Sunvalleylaw opened some conversation with the owner of the business and I casually asked if he had any guitars that were in less than stellar shape and he mentioned he had a Viking Deluxe that he wasn't going to pay to have his techs put together because it would cost too much. He asked if I was able to do tech work and would I be interested in a guitar that needed some time put into it and he'd be sure to provide all the pieces.

True to his word the Deluxe showed up with all the necessary pieces today exactly as he described it. The price for the guitar reflected what it would take a professional tech to put a mildly blemished (on the back) guitar back together and set up. I think it was a fair deal. Now I got me some work to do.

Oh, and it will end up being called a "Swede" because he didn't have a Viking truss rod cover. Way cool! :AOK:
Something is wrong with photobucket so the pictures will show up later.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking007.jpg


http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking006.jpg

[just strum]

I'm sure it was a good deal. So you are going to post another Viking and raise the level of GAS in here? I really like that guitar of SVL's and don't need any more temptation.

Oh what the hell, bring on the pics!!! http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h16/auroraohio/Smiley/pics.gif

BTW, photobucket is back up - slow, but up.

[sunvalleylaw]

Oh sure, it shows up AFTER I leave. LOL! Post some more pics of the fretboard and headstock so we can see the eye candy. Those first few fret markers look nice. Yours has the "S" holes rather than the "F" holes like mine as well I see. That goes with the Swede tag. Congrats, and I am glad that Tim continues to be true to his word as he was with me.

[Spudman]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking013.jpg

[Katastrophe]

If DVM, M29, Bloozcat, Tung and others aren't drooling right now, something is wrong with the universe.

That buy is a modder's dream. I dig the Grover Imperial tuners, too. Classy.

That guitar is gonna look way cool after you get 'er done, Spuds!

[Bloozcat]

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

If that Hagstrom has a neck like the fabled older ones did, that is going to be simply, a great find...

A little soldering...a little "ice" fishing.... and you're going to have one great guitar, Spud.

I'm not just drooling....I'm green with envy...;)

[Spudman]

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

If that Hagstrom has a neck like the fabled older ones did, that is going to be simply, a great find...

A little soldering...a little "ice" fishing.... and you're going to have one great guitar, Spud.

I'm not just drooling....I'm green with envy...;)

Oh ya, the neck is a delight. The shape is perfect and the little extra snap that comes from this particular type of fingerboard is really awesome.

Tim Maurey has an Ebay store - Strings and Things Guitar Wholesale (http://stores.ebay.com/STRINGS-AND-THINGS-GUITAR-WHOLESALE)This is where Sunvalley Law and I got ours.

He's offering some blems for pretty decent prices. Mine has two tiny indentations on the back but the top and everywhere else is flawless.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HAGSTROM-VIKING-DELUXE-335-STYLE-GUITAR-FLAMED-MAPLE_W0QQitemZ110297159201QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m110297159201&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Brian Krashpad]

That looks great Spud!

I'd kill myself or someone else if I had to deal with wiring a semi though. Hell, I managed to break a 3-way switch I was trying to solder in, a couple days ago, and that guitar had an access cavity.

[Spudman]

I'd kill myself or someone else if I had to deal with wiring a semi though. Hell, I managed to break a 3-way switch I was trying to solder in, a couple days ago, and that guitar had an access cavity.

I hear ya. I try to stay away from sugar before working on it...but you probably know how that goes. Sugar is just so...yummy.

[duhvoodooman]

Oh, man! That looks SWEET, Spud! Can't wait to see the "after" pics! :AOK:

[M29]

I can just feeeelll it:rockon:

[SuperSwede]

Nice!

I like the necks on the Hagstroms, good find Spud.. its a keeper :)

[sunvalleylaw]

That looks great Spud!

I'd kill myself or someone else if I had to deal with wiring a semi though. Hell, I managed to break a 3-way switch I was trying to solder in, a couple days ago, and that guitar had an access cavity.

It's going to be a beaut. I am glad the neck feels so good and it is so resonant acoustically. I bet building the thing up is going to be a bit like building a model ship in a bottle. Are there little tools kind of like basin wrenches for that kind of thing? It will be fun to play the Viks together when you are done. :AOK:

[Spudman]

It will be fun to play the Viks together when you are done. :AOK:


Argh, Vikings don't play together - they pillage and plunder. Argh.

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, then we'll do that while wielding our new axes. :R :R

[Spudman]

I finally have my Viking/Swede all together and have been playing it for the last 2 hours. Very nice and worth the plunder.

The fretboard is really a nice change. It's snappy and smooth. There is no wood grain ridges so vibrato and bends are ultra smooth. The neck dimensions are quite comfortable. It's more like the slim 60s type. Overall it's a very fast comfortable neck.

I still don't have a pick guard or Hagstrom crest but I'll try to get some pictures up anyway. Eventually I'll contact Hagstrom to see if I can get them.

Mine came to me in pieces because it was part of the deal to rebuild it, but I would venture that if anyone got one of the B Stocks they would be pretty satisfied. Not to mention you'd have a return guarantee which I don't get because of how I purchased mine.

[Spudman]

I think I'm going to leave the pick guard off.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking015.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking014.jpg

[tunghaichuan]

Wow, that's increadible :bravo:

Awesome job. :master:

I'm usually not a fan of gold hardware, but it looks right at home on that guitar.

tung

[sunvalleylaw]

Wow, that's increadible :bravo:

Awesome job. :master:

I'm usually not a fan of gold hardware, but it looks right at home on that guitar.

tung

Ditto! Schhaaawiiiinnnggg!!! :AOK:

[warren0728]

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

just sayin'....

ww

[Spudman]

Wow, that's increadible :bravo:

I'm usually not a fan of gold hardware, but it looks right at home on that guitar.

tung

Thanks Tung. I agree on the gold too. I've got one other guitar with some gold and I know gold has a tendency to fade but this guitar plays and sounds so good I wouldn't care if what it ends up looking like. It is kind of classy though.:)

[sunvalleylaw]

I think I'm going to leave the pick guard off.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking015.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/srspud/Guitars/Viking014.jpg

We might need to get a group shot in a few weeks. :beer: I wanna hear that thing too. I can't believe it didn't come before my visit.

[just strum]

Spud, that looks great!!! You and SVL are creating some real GAS generators. I think the two guitars should go on tour, they can come to my place first.

Ditto on the gold, seems to fit real nice.

[Spudman]

Spud, that looks great!!! You and SVL are creating some real GAS generators. Ditto on the gold, seems to fit real nice.

Oh you don't realize the half of it. If you played one you would do everything within your power to own one. What an awesome neck and smooth fretboard. It's insane how easy it is to play and what big tones come out of it. This is the hollow body I've always imagined. I just never knew it would be a Hagstrom. I always thought an Epi or Ibanez would be what I'd end up with. I'm more than satisfied...for now (are you listening kerk?)

[just strum]

I'm more than satisfied...for now (are you listening kerk?)

1,001, 1,002, 1,003...1,010. Ok, that should be the longest you were satisfied, what's next?

I'm glad me and e-bay don't seem to get along or I would be sooooooo tempted.

[Spudman]

I'm glad me and e-bay don't seem to get along or I would be sooooooo tempted.

Okay then...pick out which one you want and we'll call Tim together and negotiate an over the phone deal and good price. I'm available all day tomorrow.

[just strum]

Okay then...pick out which one you want and we'll call Tim together and negotiate an over the phone deal and good price. I'm available all day tomorrow.

Maybe I'll withdraw the $1.50 out of my 401K.

[Spudman]

Maybe I'll withdraw the $1.50 out of my 401K.
You are lucky. I got a pack of gum for mine...oh, and a really sweet Viking Deluxe that plays like butter.:)

[M29]

That is really sweet Spud, very nice indeed:AOK: Can't wait to hear it. Wish I could play it.

[sumitomo]

Oh man this just ain't right.Does she have that growl when you turn her up?Oh man now what was that web page.I hope that guy who was finished with his setup dosen't see this thread or he's in trouble.Sumi:D

[sunvalleylaw]

For anyone interested, this info from the other Hagstrom thread at http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=8598&page=4 .
Spud and I are going to make sure all is good, but it looks that way, and we have a good connection for anyone interested. This gentleman has some stock in cherry that he will sell for an excellent price, and generally gets all colors in. The cherry color did not move as well this year, so I got a very good price. He also has B stock that is priced well, and it appears that he is pretty good with his word. I wanted A stock with warranty so I spent just a bit more.

The guy's name is Tim Mauery and he has an ebay store, listed as mauery21804

You can get his phone number off his seller info, and he has been great so far.

I did a phone deal rather than through the bay and he was great to deal with. Spud helped me out on the final details and negotiations. (Thanks Dude!) I think that is a good way to purchase if you are interested. Both Spud and I have experienced good transactions with Tim.

Oh, and Sumi, they definitely have that growl when you turn them up. Sweet sustain for days as well. And the neck seems to be one of those necks that just feels right.

[Spudman]

Oh ya, the neck is a delight. The shape is perfect and the little extra snap that comes from this particular type of fingerboard is really awesome.

Tim Maurey has an Ebay store - Strings and Things Guitar Wholesale (http://stores.ebay.com/STRINGS-AND-THINGS-GUITAR-WHOLESALE)This is where Sunvalley Law and I got ours.

He's offering some blems for pretty decent prices. Mine has two tiny indentations on the back but the top and everywhere else is flawless.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HAGSTROM-VIKING-DELUXE-335-STYLE-GUITAR-FLAMED-MAPLE_W0QQitemZ110297159201QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m110297159201&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Just to make it easier.
Try this
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=mauery21804

[just strum]

I just got handed an expense check for $598 - Hmmmmmm

[sumitomo]

Yea Im gunna check this out,It's got me jones'in for this old Ibanez artist 335 I had,It was great,along with the Super Reverb it had that Freddie King tone going on and ya just cant find that with a pedal or wanta be amp,maybe its just the combo of things,the smell of tubes cookin',the feel of the blood drippin down your ears as the Power from the Super in a small room just razers your ears off.Yep now whatcha say?Sumi:D

[Spudman]

I played my first gig with the Viking Deluxe and.................absolutelyfnamazing! What an incerdible guitar.

Instant feed back when I wanted and totally controllable, sweet sustain and musical sounds, effortless to play, super fast action, stays in tune, it's gorgeous and I'm in love. This axe has an amazing voice and I'm not changing a thing on it. Wow! I'm a lucky happy dude.

[Robert]

Now I want one too.

See what you are doing to us! :mad: :D

[Spudman]

Now I want one too.

See what you are doing to us! :mad: :D

It's for a good reason though. I wouldn't want to keep this guitar a secret from any fretters. It truly is a great guitar.

Tim Maurey is still unloading B Stock at a great price and red Viking Standards at a totally reasonable price too. Just mention you are a Fret.net member and maybe he'll give you a better price ala Spudman. Mention 'Steve from Idaho' when ordering or getting prices.

Tim's contact information (http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=mauery21804)

[Duff]

Nice job of putting that guitar together.

I like it with the pickguard off, like my Ibanez AS73.

Beautiful guitar there. Is it semi hollow with the block under the pups, etc.?

My Ibanez sounds incredible too. That style guitar with vintage humbuckers just seems to produce a great sound. I picked my Cherry one from a bunch of similar styled guitars and went by feel and tone.

Getting a deal on one of those Hagstroms and putting it together sounds like fun and a way to save money, ending up with a great guitar.

Duffy

[Spudman]

With a TS9 or BD2 I would describe the sound as very Warren Haynes like. Awesome!

[cobalt]

I did a search on youtube and was really impressed with the great tones people were getting out of these vikings. My favorite tone so far is setting my GDEC Jr between Black face and Britsh. With both pickups on and the tone and volume rolled back about a third. I get a warm bluesy sound. If I turn it up I get early Clapton womanly tone.