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58-486: In the late 1970s, Fender was facing competition from lower-priced Japanese-made guitars. The higher-priced Fender guitars were made in the United States and could not compete directly with Japanese-made Fender copies. In Japan, Fender was also losing sales to Japanese guitar brands such as Tōkai , Greco and Fernandes . Since Japanese labor and production costs were much lower than in the United States, Fender moved

116-511: A CNC router in mid-1981 for making guitar parts and also began to manufacture their own pickups starting in late 1981. The Fuji-Gen Gakki CNC router and Fuji-Gen Gakki-made pickups were used for the "Super Real" and "Mint Collection" series starting from 1981 to the early 1990s. Up until 1981/1982, Nisshin Onpa ( Maxon ) made pickups were used in the Greco guitars including the "Super Real Series" and

174-578: A bound neck, diamond-shaped sound holes, rectangular shaped fretboard inlays and headstock truss adjustment. The tuners were the same as the Teisco Spectrum 5 of that period, and the neck plate had the L-shaped pickup patent number stamped on it. The zero fret and thin neck is reminiscent of a Mosrite. The 975 model Shrike was considered to be of higher build quality than the many entry-level Japanese guitars that had become widely available earlier in

232-436: A real-world example: Production runs 706, 707, 708, 709, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, and 718 are verified to have all started in 1967. It can then be predicted that runs 710 and 717 also started in 1967, if those runs occurred. The likelihood of the start date being consistent relative to those adjacent to it is considered high but caution should be used as this may not always have been true. 7. Any serial number beginning with

290-551: A respected New York luthier brought in by Hagström to design the guitar). Basses include The Swede Bass and the Hagström H8 – the first ever mass-produced eight stringed bass guitar, which found fame when used by the likes of Noel Redding , Jimi Hendrix , Mike Rutherford , and others. Another innovation was the H-Expander Truss Rod, which gives the neck additional strength allowing it to be unusually thin. Thus

348-437: Is a musical instrument manufacturer in Älvdalen , Dalecarlia , Sweden . Their original products were accordions that they initially imported from Germany and then Italy before opening their own facility in 1932. During the late 1950s, the company started making electric guitars and later amplifiers . The early guitars were heavily influenced by the accordion production and had a special look and feel. Hagström were

406-605: Is a Japanese guitar brand owned by the Kanda Shokai Corporation (in Japanese) 神田商会 , a musical instrument wholesaler mostly known for being part of Fender Japan . Instruments manufactured with the name "Greco" are electric and acoustic guitars. Kanda Shokai was established in 1948 and the Greco brand name was started in 1960. It was not until 1966/1967 that Kanda Shokai began marketing Greco Telecaster -like models. Originally, Kanda Shokai used

464-464: Is known for having one of the largest Hagström collections in America and reportedly claimed that Hagströms are the most roadworthy guitars he's ever used. The world's largest collection of Hagström guitars was previously owned by Arne Johansson in Östersund, Sweden and consisted of more than 80 Hagström guitars plus a number of amplifiers and other instruments and Hagström products. The entire collection

522-399: Is the sequence number within that production run. 3. Hagstrom did keep detailed records for each unit produced, and there is a book to that effect but not widely available. you may want to seek it out. Without the book you may be able to determine the year however. Here are some real-world examples: a. Some serial numbers reveal a clear-cut result. For example, serial number 618324 is from

580-576: The Super Swede founded Amtech which is producing PA systems and light rigs as well as computer equipment. The original "AB Albin Hagström" company still exists to this day and still owns many of the facilities in Sweden , Norway and Denmark . In 1958, Swedish -based Hagström started manufacturing electric guitars , being one of the first to produce the instrument professionally outside of

638-737: The Tobacco Sunburst Les Paul models. The Greco BM line is particularly notable as they are almost endorsed signature models. Brian May played (or at least mimed) his BM-900 on several television appearances and in 1983 remarked: A Japanese firm called Greco made a Brian May guitar, an exact copy. They called it a BHM 900 or something. They sent me an example. I said, "Thanks very much for sending it to me. It looks nice, but it doesn't actually sound that nice. Why don't we get together and make it sound good, too? Then you can put my name on it properly". They never replied. The Japanese-made Greco guitars were initially being distributed in

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696-629: The United States . The early Hagström Deluxe solid body guitars featured a distinctive sparkle and pearloid celluloid finish that was previously used on their line of accordions . Soon Hagström expanded their line-up of guitars to include hollow bodies like the Viking and the Jimmy. In 1961 the first line of Hagström basses was available to the public, this eventually came to include the groundbreaking 8 string bass. Models of electric guitar included

754-603: The "Crafted in Japan" inscription appearing on some Japanese Fenders during this period. Dyna took over because FujiGen was expanding its own factory operations. CIJ was used entirely on Japanese Fenders produced from 1996/1997 until 2015, after Dyna took over the Fender Japan manufacturing contract. The Fender Squier range was also brought in line with the Japanese Fenders at around the same time (1996/1997), with

812-459: The "Mint Collection Series" had long-tenon neck joints, but some had medium long tenon neck joints. There were also some Greco "Super Sound", "Super Power" and "Rock Spirits" Gibson replica models made. The "Super Sound" models were mid-priced models from the "Super Real" years (1979-1982) and the "Super Power" models were lower-priced models from the "Super Real" years (1979-1982). The "Rock Spirits" models were lower-priced models from between 1979 and

870-558: The "Mirage Series" (similar to the Ibanez Iceman ), various Gibson copies (not using the open book Gibson headstock design), Violin basses (VB), Zemaitis Guitars and addition to various other models. Some notable guitar players who have used Greco guitars include Ace Frehley who used Greco Les Paul replicas when his band Kiss was on tour in Japan, Millie Rose Lee of Dead Witch and Elliot Easton of The Cars , Peter Tork of The Monkees on his 1979–1981 solo tours had two of

928-524: The 'Greco' brand name for the solid body models and used the 'Canda' brand name for its Acoustic models, basing this on the company name Kanda (Canda). In the mid/late 1960s, Kanda Shokai also exported some Greco-branded guitars based on Hagström and EKO designs for Avnet/Goya in the USA. These guitars were made by the FujiGen and Matsumoku (and possibly Teisco ) guitar factories and were very similar to

986-528: The 1980 and 1981 catalogues (as well as very early 1982 models) featured "Dry Z" pickups ( PAF -like pickups made by Nisshin Onpa ( Maxon )). The type of pickups varied depending on the guitars original selling price and the Nisshin Onpa (Maxon) made "Dry Z" or Fuji-Gen Gakki made "Dry 82" pickups were reserved for the top end models. The lower end models such as the EG-500 mostly used 3-piece maple tops while

1044-514: The 976 model, were the top-of-the-line imported Grecos in 1968. These were initially available only in the Shrike version, and later a more conventional two standard pickup version appeared. The models with standard pickups were not called Shrike models. Standard pickup models had the common two volume, two tone pot controls and toggle switch for the two pickups. These were regarded as attractive and well-made guitars. They had bound semi-hollow bodies and

1102-473: The Boomerang L-shaped split coil pickups were called "Shrike" models. The "Shrike" pickups were advertised as producing that distinctive "shrike" sound. The shrikes had a single volume pot and a group of slide switches to control the four split-coil pickups in the two L-shaped enclosures, letting the player switch between high and low strings on the pickups. The 975 model and its 12-string brother,

1160-565: The CIJ inscription being used. 1982: Fender Japan starts production with FujiGen Gakki having the manufacturing contract. The "Made in Japan" (MIJ) logo is used. 1984: CBS sells Fender to its current owners and while waiting for a new US factory to begin production, Fender Japan models and leftover US stock were mostly sold in the US for a few years. 1995: The first "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) models start appearing due to Dyna Gakki taking over some of

1218-624: The Gibson long tenon neck joints that were used in the early 1970s before Gibson switched to using a short tenon neck joint. Some Greco models featured chambered (not solid) body designs up to the early 1980s, which weighed less than a regular solid body model and also had a slight semi acoustic quality. Some of the current Gibson models also use chambered bodies, such as the Gibson Les Paul Supreme. Some Greco Les Paul guitars up until 1982 had laminated pancake bodies and were based on

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1276-403: The Greco "Mint Collection" was introduced, which continued the high standard of the "Super Real Series". In 1982 Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki become part of Fender Japan and Kanda Shokai stopped producing its own Greco Fender replica models. Since the end of the Greco open book headstock Gibson replicas in the early 1990s, Kanda Shokai have produced various models using the Greco brand name such as

1334-540: The Greco logo instead of a closed O letter. The Super Real EGF (flametop) and EG series higher end models featured nitrocellulose lacquer finishes and fret edge binding and some of the Super Real lower end models also featured fret edge binding. Medium tenon neck joints with dowel reinforcements were used up until 1981 and standard Gibson style long and medium tenon neck joints were used after 1981. The medium tenon neck joints with dowel reinforcements were very similar to

1392-833: The Hagström 1, the H series (h II, h III, h II N), the Swede (Originally called The Hagström LP, or Les Paul, due to the instrument's resemblance to the popular Les Paul manufactured by Gibson Guitars ), the Super Swede, the Impala, the Corvette (called the Condor in the US), the Viking , the Swede Patch 2000 (one of the first synthesizer guitars) and the Jimmy (named for Jimmy D'Aquisto ,

1450-587: The Ishibashi chain of music stores in Japan. The Japanese guitar factories that produced Fender Japan guitars at various times were FujiGen Gakki , and Dyna Gakki and for a brief time Tokai Gakki produced some instruments for sale in Japan only. At the beginning of the Fender Japan venture, Tokai was being considered as the manufacturer, but at the insistence of Fender USA FujiGen Gakki was chosen instead. Some FujiGen-made Fender Japan models between 1982 and 1996 have necks made by Atlansia. Dyna Gakki took over

1508-456: The US through Goya and later by Kustom (known for their amps). Prior to that, Goya sold Electric guitars made by Hagstrom. Among the electric guitar models that Greco offered during this period, were two thin semi-hollow body style that were equipped with the patented “Shrike” pickups. These were the 950, and 975 models. A 12-string version for both body styles were available as well, and were labeled models 960 and 976 respectively. Those models with

1566-423: The US with establishing their Line O guitars. In 1967 he took over as CEO of the company. In their native Sweden, the company became well known not only for selling music hardware, but also for "teach-yourself" books and mail courses on electric guitar, bass, keyboards etc., learning tools that deliberately took in a rock and pop repertory, chord analysis and tuning apart from teaching how to read music. By recognizing

1624-487: The accordion production reached its peak with 15,000 units being built. At this time the company also started a number of accordion schools; it is estimated that over 70,000 people have attended these schools. Founder Albin Hagström died in 1952 at the age 47 and was succeeded by Erik Wisén . In 1968 the Super Cromatic was introduced which came to be the last accordion built, with the last one made in 1970. In 1984

1682-454: The action can be set lower than guitar necks built with traditional truss rods. Beside their line of instruments Hagström also produced amplifiers , speakers , effects units , guitar strings and mixing consoles , which were used by ABBA on their first world tour. A very small run of lap steels , banjos and mandolins were also built but are rare to come across. In 1962 Albin's son, Karl-Erik Hagström returned from working five years in

1740-512: The bottom of the pickup cavities. Kanda Shokai stopped using the open-book headstock design on Greco Gibson replica models around the early 1990s and then concentrated on their other model lines and Fender Japan. Atlansia have supplied body and neck parts for Greco models as well. Tokai currently make the Kanda Shokai Zemaitis and Talbo models. Hagstr%C3%B6m Hagström ( Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhɑ̌ːɡstrœm] )

1798-634: The brand name, Greco. One of the conditions in the Fender Japan agreement was that Kanda Shokai cease production of its Greco Fender copies. Yamano is another musical instrument wholesaler/retailer with its own retail outlets and was once a part of the Orville by Gibson venture. Neither company manufactures guitars, instead ordering them from Japanese guitar factories and distribute them through retail outlets. Yamano distributes through its own retail outlets and also various other retail outlets, while Kanda Shokai distributes through various retail outlets, including

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1856-547: The bridge on the bridge pickup These "boomerang" pickups predate the Gibson Flying V 2 "Boomerang" shaped pickups by over ten years. In the early 1970s Kanda Shokai marketed Greco Gibson -like models, but with bolt-on necks rather than the set necks of genuine Gibson guitars. These were very similar to the Ibanez Gibson-like models available at that time; and most of these models had a script Greco logo. By

1914-416: The company returned to its roots by once again importing accordions from Germany and Italy . The shops were sold, and employees were encouraged to venture out on their own, which resulted in two new companies in Älvdalen . Musitech was started by Hagstrom and sold to Rolf Lindhamn , who was the official Swedish retailer of Aria and Guild guitars. Per-Åke Olsson who participated in the development of

1972-419: The company were outpriced by other major guitar brands that had moved their stock production lines to Asia. Hagström did make some Japanese prototypes; however, they were not pleased with the workmanship and would rather close down the company than cheapen the brand. The interest in the original Hagström brand still has a cult following around the world and a Hagström Festival takes place in Älvdalen, Sweden around

2030-466: The decade, but by 1970 the 975-style models were discontinued, a victim of the decline of the 1960s guitar boom. Soon Greco would move toward copying Fender and Gibson products, becoming a major brand in the so-called "Lawsuit" copy era, along with Tokai and the Ibanez company, which became the subject of legal action by Gibson. The Greco Fender replicas from the late 1970s and early 1980s are similar to

2088-428: The digits "500" indicates the model is a prototype. in the mid 70's as a jazz guitar in this run. As of 2004, Hagström has been reopened for the international market being distributed by "Tricor AB". They are marketing new versions of a great number of the more famous models from Sweden. The official Hagström design team have taken certain liberties with the designs and made some improvements and other deviations from

2146-653: The early 1990s Greco guitars have been made by Matsumoku , Fuji-Gen Gakki, Dyna Gakki and others as well. Greco Gibson replicas around 1975 and pre 1975 models had a Greco logo that looked like "Gneco". Most of the Greco open-book headstock Gibson replicas were made by FujiGen Gakki. Some Greco open-book headstock Gibson replicas starting from around 1988 had no serial numbers. The lower-priced no serial number Greco Les Paul and SG models were made by Cor-Tek (Cort) and usually have Cor-Tek (Cort) potentiometers . The Cor-Tek-made Greco guitars have square-shaped, brick-like nuts with no slope and also often have shielding paint in

2204-510: The early Fender Japan guitars, as Kanda Shokai owns the Greco brand and is also a part of Fender Japan. The Greco Fender replicas made by Matsumoku have Matsumoku stamped on the neckplate and the other Greco Fender replicas were made by Fuji-Gen Gakki. Most of the Greco models included the original selling price in Japanese yen (in Japanese) 円 in the model number (EGF-1800 = 180000 Yen). The "Super Real Series" date from late 1979 to 1982 and

2262-424: The electric guitar as an instrument in its own right, and not just an amped-up version of the acoustic and by accepting the new repertory, Hagström popularized the instrumental skills of the new music outside of the networks associated with rock clubs, and record shops, and at a time when rock music was barely ever being written about from a musical perspective. Production ended for Swedish-made Hagströms in 1983 as

2320-854: The firm still operates out of Sweden. Albin Hagström began importing accordions from Germany and Italy in 1925 and founded "Firma Albin Hagström". Albin expanded his business with shops in Sweden , Norway and Denmark and in 1932 he started manufacturing accordions himself in Älvdalen. In 1936, Hagström hired two Italian accordion builders who helped to update and streamline the manufacturing process. In 1939 Hagström started to establish themselves in USA by opening "Hagstrom Music Company Inc." in Rockefeller Center in New York as well as "Albin Hagstrom Inc." in Jamestown . However, in 1940

2378-632: The first company to mass-produce 8 string bass guitars as well as the first to build a guitar / synthesizer hybrid ( Swede Patch 2000 ). The company ceased production in 1983. In 2004 the brand was resurrected and has since been building guitars both in Europe and in Asia. Throughout the years Hagström has expanded their line of products since the restart of the brand and re-introduced such Hagstrom classics as their famous Hagström H8 , an 8 string bass . Hagstrom has also introduced new models and designs, where

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2436-437: The first week of June every year since 2006. 1. Hagstrom used a 6 or 7digit serial number on production (1963–1983) electric guitar and bass models. 2. The first 3 digits of the serial number indicate the manufacturing Production Run number. The remainder of the number is the sequence number for that unit (guitar or bass) within the production run. The format is PPPNNNN where PPP is the production run number and NNN or NNNN

2494-433: The guitars were made in a more luthier style with no CNC machines used. The Cor-Tek and Tokai guitar factories were also used to make some Greco models due to FujiGen not being able to make some lower priced Grecos in the late 1980s. There were also some transitional Greco models from 1981/1982 that have a mixture of "Super Real Series" and "Mint Collection Series" features such as a "Super Real" model with an open O letter in

2552-463: The higher end models mostly used 2-piece maple tops. "Mint Collection" models with a K after the numeric price designation (e.g. PC-98K) came with factory-installed Kahler tremolo (vibrato) bridges. The "Mint Collection Series" features varied according to price, with some of the higher-end models, such as the EG58-120, model having most of the features of the "Super Real" higher-end models. Most of

2610-490: The late 1960s Ibanez guitars based on Hagström and EKO designs. Kanda Shokai also marketed a few original designs in the late 60s including the Greco Semi-hollow "Shrike" guitars which were imported and marketed first by Goya and later by Kustom . The "Shrike" model was unusual in that it had a pair of unusual L-shaped pickups, with the corner of the "L" pointing towards the headstock on the neck pickup and towards

2668-537: The launch was canceled due to World War II and the people hired to run the company disappeared with the company's funds. In 1946 Sven Hillring was sent over from Sweden to oversee a new launch of the new accordion factory in Jamestown, which was in business until 1949. Back in Sweden the brand continued to grow throughout the 1940s and 1950s and at one time had a total of forty-eight shops in northern Europe . In 1953

2726-445: The lower-priced Fender guitar production to Japan and began negotiations with several Japanese musical instrument distributors. In March 1982, Fender Japan, Ltd. was officially established as a joint venture between Fender, Kanda Shokai ( 神田商会 ) , Yamano Gakki ( 山野楽器 ) and Fujigen Gakki as the major share holders. Kanda Shokai is a musical instrument wholesaler that does not own any retail outlets of its own. Kanda Shokai also owns

2784-493: The manufacture of the Fender Japan models in 1996/1997. The Tōkai-made Fender Japan guitars made for a few months while Dyna got up to speed were not exported. Terada made the Fender Japan acoustic guitars such as the Fender Catalina. The first CIJ Fenders started around 1995 at the direction of Fender Japan to Fujigen and when Dyna Gakki took over some of the production requirements of Fender Japan. This resulted in

2842-448: The manufacturing while FujiGen Gakki were expanding their operations. 1996/1997: "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) is used instead of "Made in Japan" (MIJ) Dyna Gakki take over the manufacturing contract from FujiGen Gakki. 2015: Fender , Yamano and Kanda Shokai end the Fender Japan joint venture on March 31, 2015. Fender took over the Japanese business effective April 1, 2015. Greco guitars Greco ( Japanese : グレコ Gureko )

2900-442: The mid–late 1970s most Greco Gibson-like models were being made with set necks and open-book Gibson headstock designs. Some other Greco Gibson-like models from the 1970s had a different headstock design, more like a Guild headstock design, that had a Greco logo with equally sized letters. Starting in 1979, the Greco "Super Real Series" was introduced which made available high standard replicas of Gibson and Fender models. In 1982

2958-436: The neck is joined to the body. There are instances where the serial number appeared on the input jack plate (seen on a Hagstrom Swede from 1973)as well. This may have been common and an alternative serial number location. 5. In 1975/76 the numbers “53” were added as a prefix to the serial number (53 PPPNNNN) and should be ignored for decoding purposes. 6. Production run numbers are in general sequential with some exceptions. In

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3016-413: The open O Greco logo "Mint Collection Series" date from 1982 to the early 1990s. The "Mint Collection Series" have an open O letter in their Greco logo (an O letter with the top part of the O letter removed) and the "Super Real Series" usually have a closed O letter in their Greco logo. The Fuji-Gen Gakki guitar factory was the main maker of the Greco guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. Fuji-Gen Gakki obtained

3074-483: The original Swedish designs. Hagström has again started the production of more exclusive Hagstrom guitars within Europe, which have been specially developed to reproduce the sounds of the originals. These models are called the Northen Series. The Northen series instruments are no longer in production. Ever since 1983, when original production stopped, Hagströms have been sought-after collectors' items. Pat Smear

3132-516: The pickup and control cavities. Other higher priced no-serial Greco Les Paul and SG models were made by Tōkai and the Les Paul models have an EG-75 or EGC-75 model number stamped in the pickup cavity and sometimes have fret edge binding. The no-serial Greco guitars made by Tokai have square-shaped routing holes at the bottom of the pickup cavities whereas the no-serial Greco guitars made by Cor-Tek (Cort) have thinner rectangle-shaped routing holes at

3190-454: The production run 618 which consisted of 1000 Hagstrom II guitars started and completed in 1964. Therefore, all units with a 618NNNN serial number are from the year 1964. b. However, others are less clear. For example, serial number 680873 is a Viking V-1 and the 873rd guitar made in production run 680. That run started in 1965 and completed in 1966. 1000 units were made in that run, so it is impossible with existing records to know if this guitar

3248-534: The similar Gibson Les Paul laminated guitars from the 1970s. The lowest priced Greco Les Pauls sometimes had different wood combinations from the regular Maple and Mahogany. Up to 1980 the lowest priced Greco Les Pauls, such as the EG450 model, had Birch bodies. The lowest priced Super Real and Super Power Les Pauls, such as the EG450 and EG480 models from late 1979 to 1982, had Sycamore tops. The EGF-1800 (flametop), EGF-1200 (flametop) and EG-1000C (custom) models from

3306-433: Was actually made in 1965 or made in 1966. We know that this sequence number (873) is a high number in relation to the total of 1000 guitars produced in the run. We can therefore make the guess that it was most likely produced in 1966. The best that can be said in this instance is that the actual manufacture date is no earlier than 1965 and no later than 1966. 4. Serial numbers were etched on the guitar neck backing plate where

3364-617: Was bought by the publicly owned museum of the Dalarna province, that owned a smaller collection of instruments, on 4 May 2012. Their collection now consists of more than 100 Hagström guitars. The red Viking II that Elvis Presley played on Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special was sold in the early nineties for more than $ 50,000 and was on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. A 1981 Super Swede with custom blue and yellow graphics

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