Hagstrom Kent Bass - Manufactured from 1962 - 1966
From the Hagstrom Website:
The Kent Branded instruments were extensively produced in Korea and Japan circa 1960s. There was no Kent Guitar company; it was a distribution brand for the USA. Distributed in the US by Distributors in New York, Texas, North Carolina and Massachusetts. Kent was a trademark used on a full line of acoustic and solid body electric guitars, banjos and mandolins imported into the US and Canadian markets in the 60s - but NOT MADE BY HAGSTROM.
Some of the early Kent guitars (all types) were made in Japan by either Teisco or Guyatone, at this time entry level models.
After this, Hagstrom produced versions of their Solid Electric Hagstrom I, II and III and Electric Bass guitars as Kents also just for the US market, as: 1) a way to get into the market with a brand that was at least heard of in the US, and 2) a way for the Kent brand to make a quality leap in an increasingly discerning market. Hagstrom ceased to produce under the Kent brand presumably because they became popular under their own name!
Read more about Hagstrom history HERE.
Plastic covered front
Leather covered back
Grill and pickup
Control panel
Hagstrom headstock
Whether yours is simply a Kent brand bass or a "made for US Market" Hagstrom Kent, you have yourself an ax with a tremendous history behind it!
More pix and info here:
http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/earlyhagstrombass.htm
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