The Hagstrom H-8 occupies a unique place in electric bass history as the first mass-produced 8-string bass, pairing each standard bass string with an octave string to create its unmistakable chorus-like voice. Produced for only a brief period, it found its way into recordings by players looking for a fuller, more textured sound, including Noel Redding during the Jimi Hendrix Experience years.
This 1967 example captures the model in its inaugural year, with the short-scale mahogany construction and dual-pickup layout that gave the H-8 its distinctive character. The octave courses respond with a lively shimmer that sits somewhere between a traditional bass and a 12-string guitar, making it an instrument with a personality all its own. More than a novelty, the H-8 remains one of the more inventive bass designs of the 1960s and a reminder of Hagstrom's willingness to explore ideas that few other manufacturers were attempting.
Includes vintage chipboard case.
