A Brief History of Hagstrom

by Anders Westerberg

Return To Articles Table of Contents

The story of Hagstrom starts 1921 in Älvdalen, Sweden when Albin Hagström (1905-52) imports two accordions from Germany. Three years later he buys 25 more accordions which all gets sold, partially with the help from advertising. In 1925 Albin founds the company Albin Hagström which remained as the company name to the end, but from 1936 with the addition AB (Inc.).

The increasing successes made the company ready to try their own manufacturing in 1932 (or 1931, contradictory information). The yearly production of accordions reached 20,000 during the 50's and Hagstrom noticed a growing demand for guitars. Therefore, the company started building guitars of which a great deal went on export, mainly to the USA. Rumors say only 10% stayed on the Swedish market. Sometimes other names were used for the export market e.g. Kent, Goya, and Futurama. Hagstrom also imported guitars and basses from Fender and Gibson.

A multiple chain of stores was started 1945, and was a way to increase sales figures in Sweden and later also in Norway and Denmark. The accordion production was discontinued in 1970 and the production was focused on guitars, basses and amplifiers. Mother-of toilet-seat and celluloid from the accordion production had earlier been used on guitars, which may have been because a decreased production of accordions and a excess of the two materials.

The company ceased production in 1983 after a short unsuccessful period of Japan produced instruments. Hagstrom built totally 128,583 electric and semi-acoustic basses and guitars (to be compared with 700.000 accordions).

Many people have speculated in the resurrection of the brand like Burns, Vox, Höfner, MXR, Dan-Electro or Electro-Harmonix, but it's doubtful if we ever will see the name Hagstrom on new instruments again.
------------------------------------------------
Visit Anders' site at http://hem.passagen.se/awe/hagstromenindex.htm.