The different J-45s

[rogerthechorister]

Is there any prospect of identifying, differentiating, and seeing the serial number progressions of the varying types of J-45 (or H-45)?

I know of the following variations in Hagstrom J-45s so far

Set neck/bolt on;

Pegbridge/tailpiece;

"Normal" headstock/"Ducksfoot" headstock (parallel to neck, not canted back, so uses a string tree);

Plain machine heads/figured "German Silver" machine heads;

3 different bridge plates (outer) on the pegbridges:
- the one with parallel straight sides like a classical (probably very early);
- the one with the bulge towards the soundhole (1964);
- the one with the bulge towards the tailpiece to make it look more like a Gibson (only ever seen one and it might have been a modification as the guitar did not have a sunburst finish and sounded dull - possibly re-topped at some time, but it was X-braced: it was on the wall in Hanks in Denmark Street;

X-braced (definitely already present by 1964 since I have two)/Fan-strutted (presumably earlier, I have one);

Redburst/Tobaccoburst;

Size of the plastic (mock mother of pearl) rectangular neck inlays - on the one hand almost big enough to fill the fret area between the relevant two frets/ and on the 1964 models I have about 2/3rds that size.

[robbi]

Hi,

Interesting point. We'll the productions catalouges are still missing, maby they are somewhere out there? Without them you can't really tell the serial number progressions of the varying types. But the knowledge you just shared is a great step on the way. Keep it up!

And if you happen to see any patterns in serialnumbers, let us know. I dont think Bjärton introduced a "new" variation of the model in a certain point, they just improved their models along the way. But I really think you can see a fashion line in their models. For example, in the 70's the guitars became more "slim" according to the fashion of the century.

But im really out of my leage in this matter, if anybody has a idea of this, please join this thread.

[rogerthechorister]

I've never seen an observably slimmer J-45. The redburst (fan-strutted) one I have measures up a little different form the other two, but I put that down to the fact that they were not machine assembled. Hobgoblin (Nottingham) had one, a tailpiece, a year or so ago, I don't know if it sold but they might be prepared to pass a message on to the owner. I can't check the measurements of the redburst this instant because it is out on loan with a view to sale - I bought it off Reg Meuross (of the Hank Wangford Band) and it is now on loan to Kris Dollimore (google him).

[robbi]

rogerthechorister said:

I've never seen an observably slimmer J-45. The redburst (fan-strutted) one I have measures up a little different form the other two, but I put that down to the fact that they were not machine assembled. Hobgoblin (Nottingham) had one, a tailpiece, a year or so ago, I don't know if it sold but they might be prepared to pass a message on to the owner. I can't check the measurements of the redburst this instant because it is out on loan with a view to sale - I bought it off Reg Meuross (of the Hank Wangford Band) and it is now on loan to Kris Dollimore (google him).

Could be like you say, differences because they were not machine assembled. I will check this out with my source at Bjärton and get back to you.

[robbi]

I have had a chat with my contact on Bjärton and this is what he said. The bridge was from start the "normal" type with bridgepins. This guitar was on export and Hagström decided on some detalils, like the tailpiece witch was bought in from Holland and the company Gentz. All the changes came exclusivly from Hagström who decided on different changes thought the years, depending on what worked at the market at that certain point.

The tailpiece was introduced in the beginning of the 70's, problably also the bolt on neck. He coulnt really remember all details but was pretty sure that it could differ between Bjärtonlabeld guitars and Hagströmlabeld ones.

Check the catalouges and the differences made in the model.

[rogerthechorister]

Looking at the catalogues, one can see the change in the shape of teh brige between 1963 (straight-sided) and 1965 ("nose" in front of the saddle, making the bridge almost look like a Gibson one on back to front.