In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
The earliest versions of the Vox Stroller were actually copies of an early Japanese electricguitar, the Guyatone (also sold under the brand Antoria) LG50. These Strollers, although short-lived did undergo a few changes before taking on the more familiar Strat influenced style of many mid-sixties UK-built Vox guitars. The biggest difference between early and late LG50-style Strollers (and the two pickup version, the Shadow) was the larger pickup, a shade longer, but noticeably wider used in the very first Vox guitars. Compare this early Vox to a 1963 Stroller with the later V1 pickup. For more information about Vox guitar pickups in general, see the Vox guitar pickups page.
Age of my new Viking? (and questions on ownership...)
Hey there all!
I searched around on the Internet for a good vintage Hagstrom forum, and found this one. I recently purchased a Hagstrom Viking (which, based on my research on Hagstroms, is denoted as an "N" series). It's serial number is 852136. Would anyone be able to tell me the age of the guitar, and it's configuration? I've attached pictures.
The guitar came with the originial case, strap, and replacment knobs (which it needs...). The only problem with the guitar is a broken hook on the tailpiece. This all came with an Ampeg Gemini 15 amp for $300 (the amp works, just needs a little TLC).
So, I am looking at a tailpiece on Ebay for $40. It's original, but to a guitar from the late 60's (it doesn't have the three rivets like mine). To build a new piece for existing tailpiece, it would cost about $200, and may damage the chrome finish. Would it be better to have the repair done, or replace it with an OEM (even though it's not original to the guitar)?
I plan on keeping the guitar (unless I don't like playing it). I had even considered putting a Bigsby Temolo tailpiece on it, too (especially if I don't have to modify the guitar).
So, what are your thoughts? Thanks for listening to my long rant!
Sounds like a good deal! Yes the tailpieces do come up on ebay - i'd just buy the right one, even if one doesn't come up immediately. I suppose a trapeze style tailpiece would work with no mods until you find the correct part.
Batch 852 was the third batch of Viking 1 N guitars; 308 guitars produced between 1972 and 1973.
Thank you very much for the information Jules. I did bid and win the auction for the tailpiece (luckily, I was the sole bidder!). I look forward to getting the tailpiece, and stringing the guitar. With the strings that I could get on it, the guitar sounded excellent! Nice Humbucker sound to it. I had considered selling the guitar, or keeping it as a collector's piece only, but decided that it was meant for playing...
Originally Posted by jules
Hi Sol,
Sounds like a good deal! Yes the tailpieces do come up on ebay - i'd just buy the right one, even if one doesn't come up immediately. I suppose a trapeze style tailpiece would work with no mods until you find the correct part.
Batch 852 was the third batch of Viking 1 N guitars; 308 guitars produced between 1972 and 1973.
So, the story continues...
I had mentioned that I found a tailpiece from the late 60's. Pretty much the same thing, only it doesn't have the three rivets that are visible from the front like the one that came with mine (and remember... the hook on the rear of mine is broken, and at the machinist's shop). I had won it in an auction.
Anyway, I was waiting for the tailpiece to come in the mail (and it did today) before I called to have the machinist to tell him to go ahead/hold of on the repairs on mine. He said that he would wait to hear from me before he went ahead and did anything. However, he called this afternoon, and said that he fixed it. He was ecstatic about his work. When he described it, he said that he had put 2 MORE RIVETS through the tailpiece, to make it stronger. That's right. Two more rivets. Through the original tailpiece. So, even though I was trying to maintain the original look of the guitar as much as possible, and keep it original, it has taken this turn.
Am I being anal on this? I've never owned a vintage guitar, so I don't know what this does to the value of the guitar. Should I be PO'd? Glad?
Anyway, I did play the guitar tonight... and it sounds/play BEAUTIFULLY! Very nice!
What's done is done. I've had a few guitars heavily devalued by people 'fixing things'. You won't loose too much value on the tailpiece, but it is a shame, but then again it now works beautifully...
They are better played than unplayed after all! Glad you like it
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In 1972 Gibson produced a series of 'Guitar of the Month' brochures, each dedicated to one of their high end models, the Les Paul Recording guitar, L5-CES, ES-175D, Super 400-CES, ES-355TD-SV and
Byrdland. Each brochure was a single sheet folded into four panels, with details of the instruments themselves, their features, musical purpose, and a little history behind the development of each guitar. Only the Les Paul Recording was a new model; the others were all well established in the Gibson line. Follow the link to see scans and further information on these leaflets and other Gibson guitar catalogues from the CMI and Norlin periods.
The earliest versions of the Vox Stroller were actually copies of an early Japanese electricguitar, the Guyatone (also sold under the brand Antoria) LG50. These Strollers, although short-lived did undergo a few changes before taking on the more familiar Strat influenced style of many mid-sixties UK-built Vox guitars. The biggest difference between early and late LG50-style Strollers (and the two pickup version, the Shadow) was the larger pickup, a shade longer, but noticeably wider used in the very first Vox guitars. Compare this early Vox to a 1963 Stroller with the later V1 pickup. For more information about Vox guitar pickups in general, see the Vox guitar pickups page.
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Age of my new Viking? (and questions on ownership...)
Originally Posted by jules
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