Hagstrom Ultra Swede CBB LH

Hagstrom Ultra Swede CBB LH review

The Hagstrom Ultra Swede CBB LH is a left-handed, six-string electric guitar with a single-cut body, 22 frets, and a 629 mm scale. Listed at $519, it has a compact format and a pair of custom-wound 62 humbuckers. The model has been available since May 2008. Its Cosmic Black Burst finish, figured maple top, and binding give it a more distinctive look than a plain black finish, though color choice may be limited for left-handed players.

Player reports describe the guitar as comfortable and quick to play, with a slim neck that can suit smaller hands. Its shorter scale can feel different from a typical Fender-style instrument: one player found the strings felt comparatively firm, despite the reduced scale length. That is worth noting if you are moving from a longer-scale guitar. The best test is to play one in person, since string gauge, setup, and playing style also affect how the strings feel.

Construction and setup

There is a discrepancy in the supplied specifications. One listing identifies the body as linden and the neck as mahogany, while another specifies basswood for the body and maple for the neck. The top is identified as maple, with a figured maple description in the detailed listing. The fingerboard is described as Resinator wood. Because of these conflicting body and neck details, check with the seller if the exact wood species matters to you.

Feedback on workmanship is mostly positive, with owners praising the finish, fit, and overall feel. Several describe receiving a well-adjusted instrument that was ready to play after tuning. Other reports mention high action that needed adjustment, fret leveling, or faults in the controls and wiring. One owner reported an unreliable pickup selector, while another received a guitar with a nonfunctional tone control and an incorrectly seated string. Those accounts do not establish how common such faults are, but they make a careful inspection sensible.

The guitar uses a Hagstrom Tune-O-Matic bridge and has no tremolo. Owners report good tuning stability and sustain, though those qualities can depend on the individual instrument, setup, and strings. No case or gig bag is included, so plan for separate protection when transporting it.

Pickups and sound

The two humbuckers are the central part of the Ultra Swede's appeal. Players describe a clear, defined sound that holds together with distortion and remains useful for clean playing. Reported styles range from alternative rock and surf-inspired parts to heavier metal riffs and jazz. Those are subjective impressions rather than guarantees, but they suggest the guitar can cover more ground than its single-cut appearance might imply.

Several owners also report that the humbuckers can be split for single-coil-style sounds. They find these tones distinct and useful, although not identical to the sound of a Fender single-coil guitar. The supplied specifications list an HH pickup configuration but do not confirm a splitting control, so check the particular instrument's controls and documentation before relying on that feature.

Descriptions of the core tone vary. Some players hear a clear, upper-midrange character, while others find the stock pickups warm or slightly muddy and prefer a pickup change. One reviewer noted that the tone control did not offer a gradual sweep. Taken together, the feedback points to a guitar with a recognizable voice rather than a direct copy of a familiar American single-cut design. Try the controls through your own amplifier if tonal nuance is a priority.

Who should consider it?

The left-handed configuration is a practical advantage for players who have fewer instruments to choose from. Owners include beginners and experienced guitarists, and reports often praise the slim neck, compact body, and accessible feel. The short scale may suit players seeking a smaller format, but the reported string tension feel is a reminder that scale length alone does not determine comfort.

At $519, the Hagstrom Ultra Swede CBB LH offers a distinctive finish, a fixed bridge, and two humbuckers in a left-handed package. Owner feedback is enthusiastic about its appearance, playability, and range of tones, but quality-control experiences are not uniform. Check the action, frets, selector, tone control, wiring, and string seating on arrival. If the guitar passes that inspection and its neck and sound suit your hands, it is a compelling option to try, particularly when left-handed availability is a deciding factor.