Hagstrom Jazz Guitars/Stromberg Guitars (Montreux)

Hello again! I want to know if anybody is experienced with the Hagstrom Guitars? I know they are made in China... how are they compared to the Montreux model from Stromberg Guitars? All information is very much appreciated!

I assume you are comparing the hollow body jazz guitars. Without playing them, jazz guitars are very difficult to compare. One important thing to consider is that unlike solid bodies, the top shape and wood as well as the depth of a hollow body guitar does make a difference in the sound quality (like an acoustic guitar). I've never heard of either of these manufacturers.... but many of my professors have had high quality jazz guitars (like Gibson L-5s or Ibanez George Benson Models). What is really cool & unique about them, is because they projected a bit acoustically, they can fill small spaces (like a practice room or small intimate jazz club) with very a little clean amplification in a way no solid body can....although you can't crank them to very loud volumes because of feedback issues.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Perhaps you can ask your professors about them brands... sound, quality, etc.

Thank you!

Well...a few of them have past away. This was nearly 20 years ago. I am by no means an expert on Jazz guitars. Nearly all of the jazz guys I still keep in contact with (one of which is an internationally known jazz superstar) play either expensive vintage Gibson L-5 or similar guitars or have custom made guitars. Quite a few of my old professors actually played solid body guitars like Strats and Les Pauls as well.....a few of them have Vintage ES-335s. I can't think of any that had a non-recognizable brand, except maybe an Ibanez John Scofield/George Benson or perhaps a Heritage Brand Guitar.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

I have played both the Strombergs and the Hagstroms. A guitars country of origin has very little to do with its quality, or lack thereof. Contrary to popular belief, not all US made guitars are good. I've played some pretty miserable Fenders, Gibsons and PRSs. I've also played some outstanding imported guitars. My own personal favorite right now is a guitar I own that was built in Korea by Peerless.

Getting back to your query, of the two, I find the Stromberg better for straight ahead jazz as it has a little cleaner sound with better string definition. For blues or rock, the Hagstrom wins hands down, being a little grittier in tone with powerful mids much like a modern Gibson.

I would suggest that you determine what your primary musical venue will be on the guitar and if you have the opportunity to test drive both, choose the one that touches your heart. If not, purchase the one that will best achieve the style of music you want it for. I hope this helps.

My personal favorite:

Beautiful.... What are those tremolo systems on those guitars? Are they Bixby's?

That's for sure about American Guitars.... Fender has a few Mexican models that surpass their USA counterparts (Baja Classic Player Tele)....and any USA made Fender below an American Deluxe is sub-standard in my option. Same with any new Gibson under $1000 baring the Les Paul Mahogany.

__________________
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

Thank you! Yes, that is a Bigsby B70 with a Chet Atkins wire handle.

Love that guitar, Bear. It's like looking at a pre-humbucker ES-5 with touches of an ES-295 -- but with a tailpiece that came off of a Gretsch. What are the 3 mini-switches? ON/OFF for each pickup?

Thanks Badger. Yes, those are on/off switches for the pickups. I also converted the three volume controls on the lower treble bout to individual tone controls and the knob on the upper treble bout is now a master volume instead of a master tone. Think of it as a hollow Strat.