Although HIIN production commenced in 1969, the majority of these dual humbucker Hagstroms left the Älvdalen plant (Sweden) in the early 1970s. This model was the direct descendant of Hagstrom's 60s models the HII (or F200) and HIII (F300), with some notable differences; primarily pickups (humbuckers rather than single coil units) and headstock shape (tuners 3 per side, rather than 6 in a row) and controls (potentiometers rather than switches). The use of potentiometers was a clear improvement over the various switches that harked back to Hagstrom's early days as an accordion manufacturer.
In fact, the very first batch of HIIN guitars, batch 768, can be considered a transition model between the older HII and newer HIIN, in that it had the Fender-style single sided headstock of the former, yet the pickups and controls of the latter. From batch 788 onwards, all HIIN guitars had the familiar two-sided headstock.
The truss rod in the F200N is the typical H expander-stretcher truss rod, patented, and used exclusively in Hagstrom guitar and bass necks, and largely responsible for their claim of the "fastest playing neck in the world".
The HIIN solid-body electric guitar was also distributed in the United States by Arc as the F200N, and later, when Ampeg became the US distributor as the HG801. Over the course of production, just over 4800 instruments were built, in a total of 19 batches, the last in 1976. A non-vibrato version, with stop tailpiece was given the model designation HIIN-OT, but also known as the HG800 or F200-OT. Furthermore, a bass guitar equivalent, the F400N, HIIBN or HB901 was also available at the same time.
The HIIN is a fine-playing guitar and still commands attention from Hagstrom collectors and players alike.
$895
$1800