Hagstrom Viking Bass, black, made in China 2011. Generally, Scandinavians just do everything better than the rest of us, and when it comes to designing instruments, it's no different. This unusual beauty is a semi-hollow, short scale number with a whole lot of grunt and grace. The styling is chíc, with the high gloss black finish hitting the slick curves nicely plus a couple of nice touches like the coat-of-arms tailpiece... it looks great. Plugged in, the six way switch allows you to split the humbuckers to single coils, so there's a heap of colours on offer to paint with. One thing stays constant: heaps of growl, heaps of warmth, heaps of thump. It's currently wearing flatwounds, and with just a nudge of overdrive it's a creamy delight. You also get the sweet cookies-and-cream deluxe hard case, which looks awesome. So progressive, right?

Model: Hagstrom Viking Bass
Made: China, 2011 (serial G11090109)
Finish: gloss black
Body: laminate maple, thinline, semi hollow w/ centre block
Weight: 3.750kg
Neck: Canadian hard maple, 'Resinator' composite board, 15" radius, 30.75" scale, 40mm nut
Mods: none
Pickups: Dyna Rail splittable humbucker x2
Case: Hagstrom deluxe original hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has minor marks on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has a couple of light scuffs, no major marks. The sides are pretty clean save for a couple of tiny dimples on the bottom horn. The front is also tidy, just some minor play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for life left. Set up with flatwound strings.