Hagstrom Viking

nicovlogg

Hey boys and girls! A friend of mine is looking at getting a nice mid-range ES-335 style guitar, so I've been trawling the internet looking for the top contenders..

Currently, it's between the Elitist Epiphone Casino, the Tokai MIJ UES-135, and the Hagstrom Viking Deluxe. All in slightly different price classes, it's true.

The problem is I've never played a Hagstrom, and they get really good reviews. What I was wondering was if anyone had given one a try yet? At the very least, it's a very sexy guitar. ? Any other guitars I should check out?

http://www.hagstromguitars.eu/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=2&category_id=9&Itemid=6

kapepper

i have one, not a reissue but a original release from 1968
neck is very thin but the pik ups sounds really full and rich
(you can see in the one of the pics how thin the neck is)

i think sound wise you will come pretty close with a es 335

singemonkey

I know a guy from a well-known band who LOVES his Viking. So I'm guessing it's a good guitar. Tokai 135s are also a classic 335.

Banditman

+1 on the Tokai versions if you want an ES335 without spending Gibson money, they're right smack in that sonic territory.

You could also take a look at Duesenberg's hollowbodies if you want something good but different, although they seem to veer a little more towards Gretch territory than ES335 sounds.

Greg

Yeah, Adam Hill from The Sleepers has one and he enjoys it quite a lot.

I'd go for the Viking.

P.S.

If you ever want to sell that vintage viking, COME STRAIGHT TO ME!!!

VellaJ

Well I know it's not in the same price range, but I don't know if you've seen the Vintage VSA535 and VSA555. Been GASing after the 555 for a long time now, such a sexy looking guitar and I loved playing it. Unfortunately I've never played a Gibson ES335, so I can't give an accurate comparison. But one day that 555 Shall Be Mine! 8)

nicovlogg

kapepper wrote: i have one, not a reissue but a original release from 1968
neck is very thin but the pik ups sounds really full and rich
(you can see in the one of the pics how thin the neck is)

Beautiful! Awesome looking guitar - are those pickups P90's or do they have rod magnets?

Banditman wrote: +1 on the Tokai versions if you want an ES335 without spending Gibson money, they're right smack in that sonic territory.

You could also take a look at Duesenberg's hollowbodies if you want something good but different, although they seem to veer a little more towards Gretch territory than ES335 sounds.

Yeah, very cool guitars as well, but a little bit of a different beast, it seems. One day ?

Greg

nicovlogg wrote:
kapepper wrote: i have one, not a reissue but a original release from 1968
neck is very thin but the pik ups sounds really full and rich
(you can see in the one of the pics how thin the neck is)
Beautiful! Awesome looking guitar - are those pickups P90's or do they have rod magnets?

Banditman wrote: +1 on the Tokai versions if you want an ES335 without spending Gibson money, they're right smack in that sonic territory.

You could also take a look at Duesenberg's hollowbodies if you want something good but different, although they seem to veer a little more towards Gretch territory than ES335 sounds.
Yeah, very cool guitars as well, but a little bit of a different beast, it seems. One day ?

They look like DeArmond Dynasonics, RAD pickups! If they're P90s then thats just as cool!

AlanRatcliffe

Greg wrote: They look like DeArmond Dynasonics, RAD pickups! If they're P90s then thats just as cool!

Not Dynasonics - the poles aren't adjustable like the DeArmond pickups. But they do look like alnico slugs rather than steel, so I'd guess they are closer to DeArmond or Ric pickups than P90s. Very cool!