Hi, I have a Swede from the same time which is a 72-73. The earlier ones (71-75) were made much better. The serial numbers are not the best for dating.
The good Swedes were from ’71-75 culminating with the Superswede in ’75. They had just joined with Ampeg at that time.
Good swedes have:
a) Fleur de-lys pattern (spearhead) inlaid in real mother of pearl and Hagstrom inlaid or script writing (like a banner) on the Superswede
b) They were available in black (mine, transparent brown mahogany, a reddish tanslucent finish, and a sunburst. If you see a blue, yellow or other non-conservative colour, it is a later swede
c)Floating string saddle bridge (you could adjust saddles back and forth and sideways on the bridge.
d) Treble/normal/bassy tone 3-way selector (heavy-duty chromed) on top and pickup selector on lower horn
e) Heavier than a Les Paul and Fatter. Ebony fingerboard
f) Red felt under the pots and 2-way trussrod
If you bought yours in the mid-seventies, it is probabaly one of the good ones. Congratulations
Dave
Ottawa, Canada
I have a Hagstrom Swede guitar that I woul like to date. Anyone know how to date a Hagstrom? I bought it in the mid seventies. It is a really nice Les Paul style guitar that was made just as well as the 70’s Gibsons.