Hagström H8
The Hagström H8 was the world first mass-produced 8-string bass and was produced between 1967 and 1969 for a total of 2199 units.
| Hagström H8 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hagström |
| Period | 1967 to 1969 |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid double cutaway |
| Scale | 30" / 780 mm |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Pickup(s) | Dual Hagström standard bass pickups |
| Colors available | |
| Mahogany Sunburst, Cherry Red, White | |
History
According to Karl-Erik Hagström the idea for the eight stringed bass came from the American who visited Hagström's American retailer Unicord. Ernie Briefel, who was the head of Unicord, liked the idea and contacted Karl-Erik Hagström in Sweden and in 1966 a first prototype was built and tested both in Sweden and in America. The next year mass production of the H8 began. The H8 was based around a regular four stringed Hagström bass but all strings were doubled much like a 12 string guitar. The lighter string was placed above the standard string and tuned one octave higher than usual. This gave the H8 a unique tone which was very suitable for bass solos. In Hagström brochures the manufacturer also recommended creative tunings based around the major third, the perfect fifth and the major seventh.
The bodies of almost all of the H8s were made out of mahogany, but a few were made out of Finnish Birch, something very rare among guitar and bass manufacturers. The bass was available in Mahogany Sunburst and Cherry Red finishes. There were also a very few all white basses produced. There were a number of prototypes built for a successor to the H8 built with a 32" scale length as well as acoustic eight stringed versions of the Concord bass built but none were ever put in production. Recently the revived Hagström brand announced that they will launch a re-issue of the original Hagström H8 later this year.
Notable users
- Jimi Hendrix - Owned the sixth one ever made in 1967 and used it in jams later entitled "Get that Feeling", "Odd Ball", "Love Love", "Hush Now" and a jam based on The Beatles "Day Tripper". It is currently in the Hendrix collection at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, WA.
- Noel Redding - Was approached by a Hagström representative when The Jimi Hendrix Experience was on tour in Sweden and used it later on "Spanish Castle Magic", "You've got me Floating" and "Little Miss Lover"
- Mike Rutherford - Bassplayer of Genesis used a Hagström H8 on the song "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" from the 1973 album "Selling England by the Pound".
- Danny McCulloch - Bassplayer of The Animals was listed as a Hagström H8 user in promotional material from Hagström Guitars.
- Andy Kulberg - Bassist of the short-lived psychedelic rock band Blues Project used a H8 and was also used in Hagström's promotional material.
- Lemmy Kilmister - Bassplayer of Motörhead used one on the BBC Top Of The Pops video of Bomber.