A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, SWEDE

Mark Knopfler purchased this guitar along with a Hagström Swede bass (lot 49) from Diamond Strings in Rochester, New York, in August 2004. Upon inquiry, AB Albin Hagström confirmed that the guitar is number 49 of a batch of 150 instruments made in 1971 and that the tone and volume knobs now mounted on the guitar are not original.

Knopfler’s guitar tech Glenn Saggers told us that, once purchased, every guitar would spend time in Mark’s hands so he could get an idea of the sound and where a particular guitar might fit in a particular song. This guitar was tried during the recording process, yet never made it on to a record. From time to time, Knopfler kept this guitar in his study for home use.

HAGSTRÖM
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Älvdalen, Sweden, the company Hagström became well known for the production and marketing of high-quality accordions. With a keen eye on the shifts in popular culture, Hagström branched out into the electric guitar market in 1958, becoming one of the first manufacturers building professional quality electric guitars outside of the United States. With easy access to the UK and European markets, Hagström instruments were available at a more desirable price point than American imports. This helped establish Hagström instruments as early 'tools of the trade' for many a young European and British rock guitarist.

Originally called the LP, in honour of the Gibson Les Paul, whose body outline it shared, the Swede and Super Swede were introduced in 1970. The model became a standard offering in the Hagström line of solid-body electrics until 1983. In 2003, the Hagström Swede was re-introduced and remains in the company's product line to this day.