Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss

Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss review

The Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss is an electric guitar with a basswood body, maple top, and glued-in maple neck. Its stated price is 472. The model has been available since December 2023, and its item number is 581610. Finished in Black Gloss, it combines a compact 628 mm scale with a pair of humbuckers and a straightforward set of controls.

There is a small but notable discrepancy in the supplied specifications: the body wood is listed once as linden and elsewhere as basswood. These names refer to the same wood, so basswood is used here. The fingerboard is identified as Resinator, with pearloid block inlays. The finish and hardware are described as black gloss and chrome, respectively, giving the instrument a contrast between its dark exterior and bright metal fittings.

Neck, scale, and feel

The 628 mm scale is equivalent to 24.75 inches. This is shorter than a standard 25.5-inch scale, and may feel familiar to players accustomed to many single-cut electric guitars. Scale length alone does not determine whether a guitar feels small, however. The review information includes one brief owner impression describing it as good, but also saying it felt very small. That is an individual reaction rather than a measured assessment, but it is worth considering if you prefer a larger instrument or have specific expectations for neck and body size.

The neck has an ultra-slim D profile and is made from maple. Its glued-in construction is distinct from a bolt-on neck, while the 43 mm nut width provides the stated measurement across the nut. There are 22 medium jumbo frets. These details give shoppers useful reference points, but the specifications do not establish fretwork quality, setup accuracy, or how the neck will feel in a particular player's hands. Those points are best checked on the specific guitar before purchase.

The Resinator fingerboard has pearloid block inlays, a decorative choice that is easy to read against the dark finish. A Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ saddle is specified. The available information does not identify the fretboard radius or nut material beyond that saddle listing, so there is no basis here to make claims about those details or about tuning stability.

Pickups and controls

Hagstrom equips the Ultra Swede with two Custom 62 humbuckers and a coil-split option. The split function offers an alternative pickup mode from the standard humbucker configuration, giving the player more than one basic tonal setting. The supplied specifications do not describe the exact output, frequency response, or tonal character, so claims about a particular sound would need to come from a direct listening test.

Controls are uncomplicated: one volume knob, one tone knob, and a three-way toggle switch. That layout supports selection between the neck pickup, bridge pickup, and a combined setting, while the coil-split option adds another way to vary the pickup response. The specifications do not explain how the split is activated, so buyers should confirm the control operation with the seller or by inspecting the instrument.

Bridge and included accessories

The guitar has a Tune-O-Matic bridge and no tremolo. Players looking for a fixed bridge setup will recognize the general format, while anyone who relies on a vibrato arm should note that one is not included. Chrome hardware completes the listed hardware specification. Factory strings are D'Addario EXP 110 in a 10 to 46 gauge set.

No case or gig bag is included. That affects the total cost if the guitar needs to be transported or stored with additional protection. The stated sales unit is one piece, and the product details do not list any other included accessories. It is sensible to check with the retailer about packaging, setup, and return terms, especially when buying without trying the guitar first.

Verdict

The Hagstrom Ultra Swede Black Gloss has a clearly defined specification set: a basswood body with maple top, glued-in maple neck, 24.75-inch scale, 22 medium jumbo frets, and two coil-splittable humbuckers. Its fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge and simple controls keep the layout familiar, while the ultra-slim D neck and shorter scale are the most relevant points to assess for personal comfort.

The available owner comment is mixed on size, calling the guitar good while describing it as very small. That makes an in-person tryout particularly useful for players unsure about a compact-feeling instrument. At the stated price of 472, the key trade-offs to weigh are the absent case or gig bag, the fixed bridge, and whether the neck dimensions suit your playing. The listed specifications describe a versatile-looking setup, but a hands-on check is still the best way to judge its feel, sound, and setup quality.