1964 – Here comes the logo
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The reason why Hagström was in the beginning so reluctant to apply its own brand on the guitars of this series, and called them Kent instead, is that “quite simply, we weren’t quite sure that those Kents would hold together! We didn’t want to put at risk the company’s image of quality“ (Karl-Erik Hagström).
After some time, once those guitars had proven to be much sturdier than they looked, a raised Hagström logo was applied on all bodies, regardless if they were meant for distribution in Europe or North America. The change took place in early 1964.
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1964 Hagström Bass, Red
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All Kent guitars and basses with a Hagström logo on body (those in this particular version as well as those of the following generation) have a ‘King’s Neck’ label on headstock back. This bass lacks it. This is the only flaw I can find on this near mint instrument. Even the old strap buttons made of yellowish plastic are still there.
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1964 Lavender prototypes
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First documented appearance of tha lavender finish in the Kent series. This very rare (possibly unique) example is conserved in Sweden in the Hagström Official Web Site Collection. Another premiere is the new Tremar configuration, with strings ends fastened in slots instead of the pin attachment system previously used.
We have also a photo showing the remains of a similarly finished bass from just the same generation. Alas, it is a horrid butchery (fretboard missing).
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1964 The oldest known black bass
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The black finish shows up for the first time in the series. As suggested by the non original metal strap buttons, this bass has obviously undergone some restoration.
A good restoration job, just too good: there has been added in the control zone an aluminium plate that should not be there. This item was never used on the Kents of that first generation and still wasn’t yet at the beginning of generation #2. In brief, a case of an over-restoration…
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