Why I Dumped The Hagstrom Viking Bass
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- Опубликовано: 31 мар 2022
- Here's a brief explanation of why I returned the Hagstrom Viking and decided to continue my search for a Rickenbacker 4003. Not an April Fool's Joke
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great video(s). I've got one of these coming in the mail, hoping it doesn't have 'issues' - we shall see. Cherry Red! Also wanted to add a shout out for a Rick. You will be glad you have it. My experience was that it was hard to play at first but then I went to my "guitar guy" and got it set up and wow what a difference - dream to play now. A good set up always improves things in general but I have never had such a night and day difference when I didn't notice anything "wrong" before the adjustments. Good luck!
Thank you! I wish I had paid more attention to setting up instruments when I was starting out but you're right, having the right tech makes all the difference. All of my guitar buddies had techs they relied on but I never could find that dude for the bass. I'm back in the hunt for a Ric. I almost had a keeper the other day.
My local guitar center had 3 of these in stock. I played them all and noticed a pretty inconsistent feel between them before I plugged them in although I did find one I was happy with. The Jack Cassidy Epiphone , with its longer scale length, still felt more comfortable.
Big companies cashing on retro toys.
I had some older things from that era. Not everything was great.
People went and did modifications, or had modifications done. That's what became Alembic (and other custom hybrid builders).
Have to use what works right here and now.
I'm looking at buying a jack cassady I played it next to squire jaguar and the hagstrom and loved it the most.
I'm looking at buying a jack cassady I played it next to squire jaguar and the hagstrom and loved it the most.
For me that "do-it-all" bass is the Jazz bass
I love my Hagstrom Viking bass, I've had it for 8 years. I did have issues with the selector switch, which I've fixed. It's my fav bass, and I prefer it to my Fender Jazz (Marcus Miller edition)
I'm scratching me head here...I have a '66 Prec and a '69 Hag. I've owned several other Fenders and Hags (and other makes). He says that of all his basses, he's the most comfortable with the Prec. I can tell you that the difference between a '66 Prec and any Hag ever made is night-and-day. My '69 HIIB has become my go-to gigging instrument, and my Fenders stay home, getting older and vintage.
I hear him on one point: My experience is that a Rick (at least, a 4001 or 4003) is going to be more of the same feel as the Prec he likes so much. I don't like the neck on a Rick, although I like the sound of one. The '66 Prec has about the same amount of beef in the neck.
The big difference comparing any Hag is the neck. Some guys swear by them and others swear at them. But they are totally different from anyone else's.
Finally, the issue about fit and finish and the loose selector control. Like most instruments, Fenders, Ricks and Hags are made on production lines with the goal of cranking out as many per day as possible. The quality that existed in those brands 60 years ago just ain't there no more. Doesn't matter if they're made in the US, China, Mexico or Sweden. You'll find quality discrepancies in all those brands these days.
I worked for a local dealer a number of years ago; we had franchises for Fender, Gibson, Martin, Rickenbacher and quite a few more. One of my tasks was to receive and inspect new instrument shipments. It was frustrating, because about half of what we received got shipped right back to the factory. Sounds like GC doesn't work that way.
Interesting..my son tried the Hofner Ignition and plumbed for a Hagstrom Viking instead. No issues with though.
I'm glad to hear everything worked out for your son. I really didn't want to return the Viking. It was so fun to play.
My basses include '78 P-Bass / '78 Jazz / Marcus Miller Jazz / Jap Jaguar / Shaker JJBurnel but no semi in the collection... still looking but got most things covered (Ive had a few stingrays and sabre but none at moment)
Nice collection!! I almost added a Mex Jazz a couple weeks ago but couldn't get to it in time. I'm still looking to add another semi-hollow, as well as, a Rickenbacker 4003. Keep on playing!
Try the hofner very thin bass
Hi! May I ask what issues you had with the switch? I just got one today myself but every other switch position is not producing any sound. I really like this bass but I guess I may have to return it as well.
The pickup selector switch was really loose to begin with. All of the settings worked but I it had a lot of play in it and seemed fragile. The intonation was also off and several of the frets buzzed more than I liked them to. Last but not least, the price. It quickly dropped from $1,200 to $800 but I felt like $400 would be more of a fair price.
Glad you were able to return Hagstrom. Sounds like massive QC issues.
Speaking of basses with issues... I wouldn't spend your hard earned money on a Rick.
"Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before 🎶"
If I had it to do all over again, I would've avoided buying one like the plague. The most overpriced PoS I've ever purchased.
There's a reason why you don't see people gigging with them these days. A very, very good reason...
I dig The Smiths pun! I can't help my curiosity in the Rickenbacker but at the same time, I'll be dammed if I pay a premium for one after all I've heard. I'm sure I'll stumble upon a good deal for one eventually. I saw one for $1,600 last year but it was in South Carolina.
Precision Basses are incredible. I agree that if it was one bass to rule them all it'd be a P-Bass. The points about wanting to play different styles occasionally is totally valid and it's OK to have a couple of tools tend to different needs.
I have a Mustang with tapewounds that I love the sound of. I'm keen to get the Hagstrom Viking to get a flatwound, semi-hollow sound from. I've tried some Hofners and Gretsches but didn't fall in love. Thanks for pointing out the issues with the pickup selector and frets. It'll be something I make sure to check when I check out a Viking
You're totally on the right track! I played the Epiphone Jack Cassidy a month ago and loved it. Definitely need a reliable semi-hollow in my arsenal and I still want to give Rickenbacker another try.
If interested, I have an almost brand new Sky Fall gloss Hagstrom Bass. I bought it in January and only played it a couple of times. Never gigged. Found a hardshell case for it and it has been in that case since. It still has the hangtag on it.
I know I’m late to the party but if you’re still on the search for a hollow body I’ve had an Ibanez AFB200 for the better part of a decade and it’s been a dream.
You're not too late. I've heard of this bass but was diverted by the AGB200. I will take a deeper look into the AFB200. Thank you!
I tried this bass at gc and the pickup switch was really loose. I think thats bs for a bass at this price point
I came here cuz I working looking at some Hagstroms. I'm looking for an entry level bass for now. I use to play a long time ago. What do you recommend?
Which genre of music you're interested in playing? I believe the Sterling Stingray is a great entry level bass but if that's not your thing, going with an Ibanez soundgear is also a great entry level bass. As you heard in this video, I LOVE the sound of a semi-hollow instrument. I was recently blown away bt the Epiphone Jack Cassidy. If you love that McCartney sound, you'll love that bass!
I’ve not long purchased the Hagstrom Viking bass and have just noticed problems with the selector switch
Sorry to hear about your selector switch but at the end of the day, I do think you have a good bass. Hopefully, you can get it sorted out.
Try the warwick Starbass ,you love it.
I've actually been interested in check that bass out. Thanks for the recommendation!
I have a Fender semi-hollow Starcaster bass. It's absolutely awesome! I also have a 1968 Conrad viola body bass which is 1000 times better than the Hofner I used to own.
Jan 2024… GC brand new Hag Viking…. Same problems. Fretwork was horrid and didn’t get good answers from GC about the selector switch…. I passed.
You dodged a bullet for sure!
If you do get a Ric put tape wounds on it, they sound awesome and you'll get that very woody sound your looking for like Paul McCartney
I love the feel of tape wound strings! I also think part of Paul's magic was or is in his hands.
@@progrockjock Very true, whenever I'm doing a cover of a Beatle song I pop my 4003 into 4001 mode, sounds remarkably close to either his hofner or his Rickenbacker, it's the perfect choice.
Aria Pro II TAB Semi-hollow short-scale bass
How was the neck dive on the Hag?
Great question! I'm actually filmed a video talking about neck dive. The Hag-Vik had a little bit of neck dive but not as much as my Ibanez AFB 200.
I appreciate your honesty. I write country and have been looking at a Hagstrom as a recording rig. It played ok in the store, but I’m going to pass. Thanks!
I would check out the Epiphone Jack Casady bass. I absolutely love the tone and think it would serve Country music nicely. Especially if your style of Country has a traditional or early-day (ie. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Jones) feel to it. All the best to you on your journey.
If you want to use 'one bass to rule them all' it can't be an instrument that can't, under effect of on board management, easily emulate other sounds; as is the case with the deliciously lush but monotone P Bass...UNLESS you don't care about accurately emulating other sounds when 'covering' repertoire defined by 'other' instruments.
I personally find the sound of the P Bass intoxicating, and I don't care about sounding 'other'. But, having said that, I recently committed to using only a brand new RIC simply because I am easily able to cause it to sound (in a blind test) like either a P and a J Bass using the on board controls of my all tube Traynor YBA200 and TC1510 cabinet.
That has 'always' been the unsung secret and underused sonic potential of the RIC's who, despite being more versatile than either the P or the J bass, are pigeon holed, put in a 'rock' box, to be celebrated only for what they do that 'others' can't. Significantly, it is a trick and a compliment paid that neither of those two can return.
I've never understood why guitar/bass companies and their customers seem to feel it's ok to ship a product that needs work and/ or more money put into it ? I read reviews all the time of people who buy an instrument for $800 or more and say " I only had to to this, this, and this, " to make it right. NO NO NO ! if i pay that much money for an instrument i expect it to function FLAWLESSLY. i understand some adjustments for individual players but not things like fret issues, electronics issues etc... If I buy a product for that much money and it has issues it is going back immediately.
Amen!
Of all the reviews I've read regarding the Viking you're the only one I've heard have issues with Hagstrom's fret dressing. I have one coming shortly. The Stingray I purchased has been the worst. OC, GC wouldn't do a damn thing about it.
Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed playing the Viking and I didn't want to return it but ultimately, I felt it was for the best. It's a really fun bass and I hope everything goes well with the one you ordered.
For note: The Hofner and Hagstrom products are made for the retro freaks. Toys from the past. Not for the contemporary what you need now uses.
Had a Hofner for a bit. Used to feed back easy. And it had a ridge in the fingerboard.
Both were what people used at the time when they were the only things available. Then they upgraded.
Those hollow bodied Gibson Midtown basses are the worst. They play like crap, sound so tinny. And they feedback too easy. What were they thinking when they even thought about the design.
You can remember the past, but don't live in it!