The Hagstrom Viking is a great guitar for the money. In this review Colin talks about its strong points as well as some things to watch for if you’re considering one.

In the video, Colin mentions contacting him for more details, however due to demand, we’ve decided to write those tips down here for everyone.

Overview: What Is the Hagstrom Viking?

The Viking is a semi-hollow body electric guitar with a distinctive look that’s been turning heads since the original Swedish design. It’s got that classic 335-style double cutaway shape, but with Hagstrom’s own character and quirks.

Originally designed in Sweden and now manufactured in China using CNC machines with Canadian wood, this means you get consistent quality control at an affordable price point. The CNC manufacturing process is actually a good thing here—it means the guitars are more uniform than hand-built instruments in this price range would be.

Sound and Playability

The semi-hollow construction gives you warm, resonant tones that work well for jazz, blues, and classic rock. There’s an acoustic quality to the sound that you don’t get from solid body guitars, which makes it really nice for cleaner playing styles.

It’s versatile enough to handle clean playing and can push into overdrive without excessive feedback issues that plague some hollow bodies. That semi-hollow design strikes a good balance—you get the warmth and resonance, but you’re not fighting feedback issues at higher volumes the way you would with a full hollow body.

The neck profile is comfortable for most players, and the fretboard radius makes bending strings feel natural. It’s not as fast as a super-thin neck, but it’s got that classic feel that works well for rhythm playing and blues-style lead work.

Build Quality and Features

For the price point, the build quality is impressive. The finish work is generally clean, the hardware is solid, and the electronics are reliable. You’re getting a lot of guitar for your money compared to similarly priced alternatives.

The pickups are decent—not spectacular, but they do the job. They’re clear enough for jazz, warm enough for blues, and can handle rock tones without getting muddy. Some players eventually upgrade the pickups, but the stock ones are perfectly usable, especially when you’re starting out.

The bridge and tailpiece are well-made, the tuners hold tune reasonably well, and the overall hardware feels like it’ll last. Nothing feels cheap or like it’s going to fall apart, which is sometimes a concern at this price point.

What to Watch For When Buying

The Vikings are mostly made by CNC machine, so there’s actually a high level of standardization. That said, you’ll still find variations between individual guitars—not because of poor manufacturing, but because wood is wood, and every piece is different. Here are the key things to inspect before you buy:

Neck and fingerboard: Make sure it’s straight and not warped or bowed. Sight down the neck from the headstock—you should see a very slight relief, but no twists or major bowing. A warped neck is a deal-breaker, and while it’s rare with CNC manufacturing, it can happen during shipping or storage.

Fret edges: Run your hand up and down the edge of the neck. If the frets catch your fingers or feel sharp, that’s a sign of a poorly built neck or one that has shrunk due to moisture changes. The frets should feel smooth to the touch. This is especially important in drier climates where necks can shrink over time.

Toggle switches: Test them thoroughly—we’ve come across a couple that weren’t working properly. Click through all the pickup positions and make sure you’re getting clean signal from each one. Jiggle the switch a bit to make sure it’s not loose or intermittent.

Finish quality: Look for imperfections, especially around where the neck joins the body. Check the binding (if the model has it) for any separation or rough spots. Look at the finish under good light for any bubbling, crazing, or obvious flaws. Minor imperfections are normal, but major finish issues can get worse over time.

Intonation: Play a harmonic at the 12th fret, then fret the note normally at the 12th fret. They should be the same pitch. Do this on all six strings. If the intonation is way off, it might indicate bridge problems or a neck angle issue.

Remember, every guitar is different—even two identical models sitting next to each other on the rack. Manufacturing variations, transport, and storage all affect the final instrument. These tips apply to any guitar you’re considering (see our Ultimate Electric Guitar Buying Guide for more comprehensive buying advice).

Who Is This Guitar For?

The Hagstrom Viking is ideal for intermediate players who want to step up from their first guitar without breaking the bank. It’s also great for experienced players who need a good semi-hollow for recording or gigging but don’t want to risk an expensive vintage instrument.

If you play jazz, blues, classic rock, or indie music, this guitar will serve you well. It’s got enough versatility to cover a lot of ground, and the semi-hollow body gives you tones that are hard to get from a solid body guitar.

It’s probably not the best choice if you’re playing heavy metal or need aggressive high-gain tones—for that, you’d want a solid body with hotter pickups. But for most other styles, it’s a solid option.

Setup Recommendations

Here’s an important tip that applies to any guitar purchase: after you buy it, play it for a month or two, then bring it to a good guitar technician for a proper setup. Don’t get the setup done right away.

Why wait? This gives the guitar time to settle into your environment with your strings and playing style. The neck will adjust to the humidity in your area, the strings will stretch and settle, and you’ll start to understand how you want the action and feel.

A professional setup at this point will bring it to a stable level where it’ll stay for a long time. Ask the tech to set the intonation, adjust the neck relief, set the action to your preference, and make sure everything is functioning properly. It’s money well spent and will make your guitar play better than it did out of the box. For a full breakdown of what goes into a setup, see the guitar setup and maintenance guide.

Bottom Line

The Hagstrom Viking is excellent value for the money. It’s a solid semi-hollow that punches well above its price point. You’re getting good build quality, decent tone, and reliable hardware at a price that won’t make you wince.

Is it perfect? No. The pickups are serviceable but not amazing, and you’ll find the occasional quality control issue if you inspect enough of them. But for the price, it’s hard to beat. If you’re in the market for a semi-hollow and don’t want to spend Gibson or Gretsch money, the Viking deserves serious consideration.

Just remember to inspect before you buy, and get that professional setup after a month or two of playing. Do that, and you’ll have a guitar that serves you well for years to come.