Hagstrom ´67 Viking II WCT

Hagstrom ´67 Viking II WCT review

The Hagstrom ´67 Viking II WCT makes a strong first impression with its Wild Cherry Transparent finish, gold-colored hardware, and multi-ply binding. Its styling nods to the mid-1960s, while the semi-hollow construction and dual humbucker layout give it a distinct place alongside a conventional solid-body guitar. At a listed price of 945, it arrives without a case or gig bag, a notable omission for an instrument in this range.

The Viking II WCT has a maple body and top, a bolt-on maple neck, and a Resinator fingerboard. The fingerboard carries pearloid block inlays and has a 381 mm radius. A GraphTech Black TUSQ XL nut measures 40.5 mm across, and the 624 mm scale length is shorter than a typical full-length electric guitar scale. There are 22 medium jumbo frets. The body is semi-hollow, not fully hollow, and the bridge is a Long Throw Tune-O-Matic mounted on a wooden block. Hagstrom's trapeze tailpiece completes the setup.

Controls and pickups

Two Hagstrom H-52 Alnico 5 pickups provide the guitar's HH configuration. The control layout includes separate volume controls, two tone controls with push-pull functions, and a three-way pickup switch. This gives the player several ways to shape the output without adding a complicated control panel. The hardware is gold-colored, and the tuners have an 18:1 ratio. The guitar ships with D'Addario strings in a.010 to.046 gauge.

One owner chose the Viking II after considering the Hagstrom Alvar, looking for a guitar that would feel and sound different from a main solid-body instrument equipped with humbuckers. Unable to find one locally, the buyer ordered without trying it first. On arrival, the combination of red finish and gold hardware made an immediate impression. The owner also reported that the guitar sounded unusually loud when played unplugged, even comparing its volume favorably with an acoustic guitar.

Playing feel and sound

Through an amplifier, the same owner praised the clean sound and sustain, with a preference for the neck pickup and the middle switch position. Adding gain brought out a bluesier character, while higher distortion remained usable during a brief test. Another player described the unplugged sound as excellent, though amplified results naturally depend on the amp. That player used a small Vox amplifier and was pleased with the guitar overall.

The neck drew positive comments from both players. One described it as easy to play, while another noted that it was the narrowest neck among their guitars. The first player did point out a practical limit: access becomes less easy around the 17th fret, where the neck meets the body. That is worth considering if upper-fret playing is a regular part of your style. The available reports are individual experiences, rather than a broad comparison against other semi-hollow models, but they give a consistent picture of a comfortable neck and strong clean tones.

What to consider before buying

Fit and finish earned praise, as did the instrument's appearance and sound. There is one specific durability concern in the feedback: an owner reported that the Hagstrom logo came loose from the tailpiece and had to be glued back on. The same buyer wished the guitar had included at least a gig bag. Neither issue establishes that every instrument will have the same problem, but both are relevant when weighing the purchase.

Delivery time also affected one buyer's experience, with a wait of nearly six months. That delay may reflect the individual order rather than the model itself, so check current availability before planning around a particular arrival date. The instrument has been available since September 2021, and its listed item number is 528527.

Verdict

The Hagstrom ´67 Viking II WCT suits players drawn to its vintage-inspired appearance who want a semi-hollow electric with a maple build, dual H-52 pickups, and useful tone controls. Owner feedback points to an appealing unplugged response, satisfying clean tones, sustain, and a comfortable neck. Upper-fret access is less convenient, and buyers should budget for a separate case or bag. If its distinctive look and reported tonal character match what you want, the Viking II WCT is a compelling option to try in person.