Hagstrom Megin Black Gloss

Hagstrom Megin Black Gloss review

The Hagstrom Megin Black Gloss is a straightforward electric guitar with a set mahogany neck, a pair of humbuckers, and a wraparound bridge. At $599, it stands apart from more familiar designs through its body shape, Hagstrom hardware, and Resinator fingerboard. It has been available since October 2024.

Owner reports describe a guitar that can cover clear, warm, and driven sounds, with enough output for rock and high-gain rhythm parts. Feedback on arrival condition is less consistent. Some players received an instrument that was clean and well adjusted, while another reported dust, marks, and a warped neck that needed attention. Those differences make a careful inspection and setup worthwhile.

Construction and feel

The body and set-in neck are mahogany, with no separate top. A black high-gloss finish gives the Megin a restrained look, complemented by three-ply body binding, pearloid block inlays, and a mother-of-pearl headstock binding. A three-ply tortoiseshell pickguard adds contrast. One owner praised the finish and binding as cleanly executed, though another noticed small alignment issues between the pickguard and neck.

The neck has a mortise-and-tenon joint and Hagstrom's H-Expander truss rod. Its measured thickness is 19 mm at the first fret and 20.5 mm at the twelfth, excluding the fingerboard and clear lacquer. That is a useful reference for players who prefer a relatively slim neck, though the feel will still depend on hand size and playing style. The reported response was mixed in a useful way: one player found it comfortable immediately, while another, accustomed to Fender necks, needed time to adjust.

The Resinator fingerboard has a 15-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a 43 mm nut. Its 648 mm scale is the same as 25.5 inches, a familiar length for many players. One owner described the fingerboard as unusually flat and broadening toward the octave. The neck position and compact body also reminded that player of an SG-style layout, while the scale felt familiar from a Strat-style guitar. These comparisons describe personal impressions, not a direct copy of either design.

Pickups and controls

The calibrated Custom 62 humbuckers use different output levels. The neck pickup is rated at 8.2K and described as medium output; the bridge pickup is rated at 13.8K and described as high output. A single volume control includes a treble-bleed circuit, while a separate tone control and three-way toggle provide the main switching options.

Player reports suggest a broad range, from crisp tones to warmer, jazz-oriented sounds. With overdrive, one owner heard a beefy sound with useful clarity and enough output for a live functions band. Another described the guitar's basic voice as thick and close to lightly overdriven, while noting that this particular sound was less easy to dial in. Taken together, the feedback points to a guitar well suited to driven rock, but players seeking a very lean, clean single-coil character may prefer a different instrument.

Bridge, hardware, and setup

The Hagstrom wraparound bridge has Wide Reach Intonation saddles. One player found the bridge comfortable under the picking hand. Chrome-plated Hagstrom tuners use a 15:1 gear ratio, and the guitar comes strung with D'Addario.010,.046 strings. The control knobs are brass-barrel style with chrome plating. Reports praise the tuners for smooth, precise operation, while one owner felt the potentiometers beneath the knobs were less even in feel.

There is no tremolo system, and neither a case nor a gig bag is included. That keeps the setup simple, but buyers should account for a separate bag or case if they need one. The instrument is listed as a single piece, in black, under item number 600944.

Verdict

The Megin Black Gloss offers a distinct alternative for players who want a mahogany set-neck guitar with two humbuckers and a fixed bridge. Its combination of a long scale, slim measured neck profile, and high-output bridge pickup gives it a clear use case for rock and heavier rhythm work. The binding, inlays, and Hagstrom hardware add character without complicating the controls.

Setup quality deserves attention. One owner received a guitar that was ready to play, while another had to clean it and correct a warped neck. That is a meaningful caveat at this price, particularly for buyers expecting a consistent out-of-box setup. Still, owners who liked the sound and feel considered the Megin good value and appreciated its less common design. Check the neck, finish, and setup on arrival, then judge it on its own terms.