About the Builder:
Hagström AB choose to gain a wider market coverage by introducing simultaneously an entry level model (Kent) and a range of professional grade instruments : the Corvette (3 pickups) and Impala (2 pickups) series, launched in 1963. Both models share the same gorgeous body shape, 100% original, free from any outer influences, one of the highest achievements of Scandinavian design.
Aside from the short-lived DeLuxe Ä and the Super-Swede of the late 70s, the Corvette and Impala are the only Hagström solidbodies with a glued-in neck, which ensures an excellent sustain while the streamlined joint allows a fantastic playability up to the dusty end of the fretboard. The range of tones extends from the metallic and trebly down to warmer and even darker sounds, in what the massive body made of some sort of heavyweight mahogany certainly plays a role.
There are two separate volume pots for rhythm and solo (the latter being a cool rotary handle below the pickups), and no less than 8 pushbuttons : on/off for each pickup, 3 filters, and rhythm/solo selectors, which results in dozens of preset voices available at once under your fingers. The use of this control panel is however a little tricky in live circumstances, you've got to be careful : you take a chance to simply cutoff when you modify the setting while playing.
According to ads and catalogues only two finishes were available, a handsome dark brown burst and a delightful shade of reddish burst ("cranberry burst"), though natural wood finished Corvettes and Impalas are known to exist.
About the Guitar:
The last owner bought this guitar at the Nashville Flea Market around 1989-1990 for about $125. He just thought it was a cool guitar and remembered Cordell Jackson had a Corvette. Well about 1991 Cordell was playing in Nashville, where the former owner lived, so he took the pick guard off and took it to the show. She said "that's a pick guard off a Hagstrom, Have you seen mine ?". He replied no and she proceeds to whip her guitar out of the case for him to play. That was before she did the Bud commercials with Brian Stezer.
Next occasion to get a signature was when he got the Sleepy LaBeef autograph after his old band The Phantom 5ive played with him in Nashville at the Ace of Clubs around 94.
The guitar evolved slowly in a autograph repository. He had seen Ronnie Dawson several times and kinda got to know him so one of the shows he played at The Sutler in Nashville, he took it and had it in the trunk and after the show had him sign it.
He then saw Dick Dale in Atlanta back in the mid to late 90's and had him sign it after a show.
The Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana autographs were aquired by his friend Heather who was working the front desk at Woodland St Studio in Nashville in 96'. She was telling him how they were gonna be there for a session so she volunteered to take the guitar in and had them sign it. What a cool friend to have.
Well the Dave Gonzalez signature was actually the hardest to get. The reason behind that is Dave and the former owner had became friends in 1984 at a Paladins show in Jackson MS. They became very good friends more like brothers thru the yrs. Dave would never sign the guitar when the former owner decided to make it an autograph guitar because he felt he didn't belong in the same group of people as he was not in their class. Finally Dave was staying at the former owner's house in Nashville and Dan Penn was over here with him and he asked Dave in front of Penn and put him on the spot, and Penn said come on Dave sign the guitar so he did. Of course he told the former owner he devalued the guitar but we all know better.
As far as me using the guitar, it was played around the house on a occasion but never took out on the road except to get it signed.
So here again you have a piece of history. It should be played as it's still a great sounding instrument.
