Hagstrom Viking Deluxe - Thrill Is Gone Improvisation - Matt Thorpe

[jdh0858]

tone is fantastic!!! god I've gotta get me one of these!!

[Anderselectro]

Lovely tone, well played. I am glad you chose a Hag because this is the best endorsement they can get! Well done!

[Corruptedxxx]

hey i have some questions, how long have you been playing and what setup do you use? do you think theres big difference between a regular viking and a deluxe?

Thanks :)

[DecemberSean]

If only you could improv, then you would be sweet!!!!

haaa. I am kidding, you're a beast!!!

[2012indigo]

Found your Youtube playing while looking for Viking Deluxe impressions. Considering buying one. Great sound and very impressing improvisation. Very much an inspiration for me and looking forward to a lot of practising time. Is the backing track you use somewhere available?

[gabrielarbiza]

Wow, invaluable answer! i deeply apreciated it and thank you a LOT!!! hagstrom it is! thank you thank you thank you! I use 11s so i was absolutely sure you have to had 9s because i noticed "extra ease" on your bendings lol! that´s how great your video is, direct record and up and close so people can even get those details, not to mention your playing, which is awesome! i already stole some licks and rifs i loved =P XD i love blues and bbking. Hey Matt, THANK YOU!!! love 4 u!

[gabrielarbiza]

great!!! i love it! the sound, the playing, the tone, the guitar. I arrived here looking for demos because i want to buy a viking deluxe tremar. Thanks! I wanted to hear it recorded DIRECT like this, with a Pod is a good way to hear it, since the regular videocam used don´t do it justice. I have a question, well, 2, what gauge of string do you have there? 10s? 11s? and, have you used an epi sheraton? do u think this is better? and why? lol sorry for too many Qs but i can´t try them out so... TX!

[Mattukgtr]

@gabrielarbiza thanks! - yes that was the prob I had with 'review' type youtube vids - usually the sound quality was very bad. I'm using 009-042 strings, I'd changed the 010's it came with by the time the vid was made. In store I tried the Hag and the Epi Sheraton, which was ok. I tried an Epi 335 dot which was shite. The Hag was better made and finished & had more volume & sustain over the Sheraton. I bought the Hag almost a year later without trying it, came nicely set-up direct from Hag UK

[cripescate]

This thing is wild. I mostly play punk, but this can go from jazz to blues to hard rock in a second & distorted youd be surprised. Had this for 4 years and its my main axe. I never figured myself for a semi hollow kind of guy either.

[HEARTHEANGELSVOICES]

MATTUKGTR-- WHAT AMP. R-U- USING? ANY EFFECT PEDALS? REALLY NICE TOUCH ON THE HAG! LET ME KNOW.

[DecemberSean]

@HEARTHEANGELSVOICES

If you read the replies he says like 2-3 times. Why didnt you take time yourself to read?

[Cool80sBoy]

loving this !



[werter800]

amazing ! there are parallels between this and your other videos. (the riffs are similar)

[PF1964]

Nice demo!

Is it easy to apply classic 57 gibson pickups on a viking deluxe??

[JerrysTube]

Nice licks. Love the Hagstrom is it still for sale? And if so.....ummm....how much? The Neck on a Hagstrom is truely Smokin....Fast !

[PF1964]

Why are you selling this great guitar?

[PF1964]

nice playing!

I have a question is your guitar's colour amber sunburst or cherry sunburst?

[Mattukgtr]

@PF1964 Thanks, It is Amber Sunburst.

[TaffyRaphie]

@Mattukgtr what's the difference between the standard and deluxe?

[Eddy1993PT]

@TaffyRaphie I think the only difference is the look. Different colours and the standard has dot inlays, instead of blocks.

[TaffyRaphie]

@Eddy1993PT ok, thanks.

Just got mine last week. Incredible guitar for the price, and in general

[DavidPollo17]

sooooo good really !

[MindlessCacophony]

How much are you asking for the guitar?

[Ulrick26]

Awesome feeling !!!!!

[phyrl3]

is there any way in hell you have a tab of this anywhere? i think its one of the wickedest improve versions of the song ive ever heard. i just started playing about 9- 10 mths ago and think you have exeptional talent. thanks

[harleydavid2009]

i don't have any doubt,this is a great guitar

[tyron666]

really nice

[yopopzz]

That finish is BEAUTIFUL! And also really nice improv! I own a Super Swede myself, I was thinking of buying the viking but decided that wanted something with a bit more punch in it. The Viking is a really beautiful and great sounding guitar.

[langtonart]

Love you're playing bro.... What amp did you use? I know your playing thru a Pod but what amp? Thanks.... Keep up the great playing.

[SaskBluesman]

Nailed it bro. Great job.

[strwy2hvn94]

do these have a nice clean sound

[intrsoul]

Seriously nice playing. So I take it you like this guitar and I should go get one?

[intrsoul]

@intrsoul I got one! Loooove it. Neck is amazing, terrific build, versatile. Let me ask you - did you also discover that the pickups run a bit hot, and you have back the volume down to sweeten them up?

[dfguitarblues]

OMG maybee i could take up playing a tambarine ;-) love your style Matt

[richiemabie]

There is always 1 asshole !

[Mattukgtr]

@richiemabie - have i missed something here ?

[richiemabie]

@Mattukgtr Yes sir. There is 1 thumbs down. I really don't understand why? The phrasing is phat and it is smooth to listen + a great cover of an even greater song

[pickstrumbum]

@Mattukgtr I think he is referring to the one person that accidentally hit the dislike button

[nnamrud]

@Mattukgtr i think he's referring to the 1 dislike ;)

[richiemabie]

@richiemabie 1 thumb down

[robertlemieux1]

Great phrasing, Thanks for sharing

[nesa407]

Grat man! Buyin the same soon!!!!

[skinandbones90]

beautiful man !

[FenderBender1960]

Killer man!  Loved it.

[Timbarwell]

sweet guitar

[tele757]

you had a few steve howe type licks in there

[tele757]

awesome exploration from a fellow blueser. I played a tomato soup orange viking deluxe in J&R in NY, and never seen that color again. Nice Job, looks like fun.

[quasim0do]

Excellent playing! And such a lovely guitar.

[AlbortRoss]

you play simply, clearly and beautifully. loved it

[felixglynn]

how does this compare to other semihollows?

[slepchor]

this one, an epiphone riviera p93 or an ibanez afs75t? help plz

[Mattukgtr]

@slepchor - this guitar is a Hagstrom Viking Deluxe !!

[Xidkwhat2callmyselfX]

@slepchor idiot what do you think the video is named for

[mattj79]

I'm getting more than a hint of a Santana vibe from this, very nice!

[bane720]

Awesome job, man.

[dudeinacabin]

That was fantastic man!

[1regueiro]

yea men... I have one hagstrom viking but your tecnic is amazing

my best regards from spain

[strwy2hvn94]

so you would reccomend this?

[morghath]

Well you can roll that out ALL day long very cool thanks keep on truckin

[Cozzy1306]

Matt, Excellent playing and improv. Sounded like a little bit of Santana type playing just before the middle section. Santana on a BB track, that's what I love about improv, you can make any track your own. Superb.

[T3hbassmasta]

do you remember what key/s are you playing in?

[Mattukgtr]

Thrill is Gone is Bm

[1954surya]

Where can i get a CD from you in Germany, Matt?

[hdansin]

hey dude, where do you get those backing tracks? do you make them or what cause they would be awsome to jam to.

[Mattukgtr]

yes I created the backing tracks originally for jamming to. Some are more complete than others.

[sixstringer2009]

Cool man. Great feeling.

[sixstringer2009]

NIce playing. How does it handle past the twelfth fret? Im thinking i might get one but i also like going in those high frets.

[Mattukgtr]

It handles nicely all the way up the neck. Like each guitar you play you get used to it in a short while. I find the neck is narrow at the top compared to say a Les Paul but on the Viking access to the frets is so much easier than a LP.

[maxbackstrom]

Nice!

[steomcc]

great playing man

[TheJokerZProductions]

I have a viking =D

[TheMarcRS]

(also i have a viking =D )

[TheMarcRS]

there are some solos i want and intend to learn note for note at some point: this is the only one of those solos which is not played by some (amazing) shredder ripping it up at 6000notes per second. bravo

[permian11]

the best solos have nothing to do with how fast they're playing

[sixstringer2009]

Of course not but all im asking is how high can you go on that thing.

[permian11]

well it's a double cutaway so most likely all the way, I just ordered one it will be here next week sometime so I'll let you know

[guitarablues]

he is using a dorian scale i think.

[Eddy1993PT]

can anyone tell me what scale(s) is he using?

great playing, btw

[Ardolino21]

rockabilly/psychobilly capabilities? whats the neck like?

[Jkater100]

Incredible phrasing! Man, you're good!

[slepchor]

are they really good for every kind? i want to buy my first guitar,wanna play rock-blues...what about prices?

[Mattukgtr]

It's great for rock and blues - I use it for this ! Check out the web dealers for prices.

Cheers

[pinkrudy]

why do you keep flipping me off!

[leehayesmusic]

HOLY BALLS, YOURE AMAZING....

[gillingham99]

are these guitars only good for blues or can they do anything, For example are they good for rock?

[vitgrosa]

They are extremely good for every type of music.

[Mattukgtr]

It's great for rock and blues - I use it for this !

Cheers

[Mudfutbol]

Great playing and a beautiful axe. I am partial to the Viking myself and I would be very surprised if you haven't helped Hagstrom sell more than of few of these. I hope you'll consider posting more of your playing on this guitar.

[ANGRYREDNECKTRUCKER]

theres one at my local guitar shop for 425 used its in immaculate condition im trading my peavey rotor for a ibanex artcore and then may sell it to get one of these

[GanonP]

this inprowisation ist gread

[habbit0091]

would you either prefer the viking or the swede?

[ANGRYREDNECKTRUCKER]

viking for sure the swede sounds great but trust me after i bought my les paul i wanted a hollowbody im not gettin rid of the lp but those style of guitars make a person want a hollowbody!

[Mattukgtr]

My Swede is 30 years old and was Made in Sweden. The Viking was recently made in China it good for a £400 guitar but not as good as the old Swede ! As for the new Swede's it comes down to whether you want a hollowbody sound and feel versus a solid.

[Goboys2]

Nice job! I've been looking at 335 copies, but never thought of Hagstrom. Sounds really nice. What kind of amp are you using?

[delimeche]

whats the differences between the deluxw viking and the standard viking?

aside from the cosmetics (flame maple top,and the rectandular inlays ofr the dot inlays) I mean are you just paying for the cosmetics ar the pickups and internal knos better than a normal vking???

[Mattukgtr]

check out the specs on the hagstrom website - as I read it the deluxe body is flamed maple whereas the non-deluxe is laminated maple apart from that they appear to be the same apart from the inlays

[cirescotish]

smooooth

[1963Pure]

Nice playing! I tried a "Super Sweed" ,the neck is awesome, so easy to play.. My next guitar to buy. Maybe made in China but high quality for the price.

[DarkHypocrisy]

I think the guitar he is playing on is made in china too. But don't mind that its an amazing guitar. But the ones made in Älvdalen, Sweden is a little bit nicer. The production changed to China in the 80s i think.

[Mattukgtr]

The swedish company went bust around 1984 I think. Only in the last few years has a new company started making all new Hags in China. Yes mine is a Chinese model.

[cRaMer347]

sold! im gonna buy one on ebay right now

[luvanariff]

very good improvisation !!! i like the blues !!! is made swede your guitar or where is made ? sorry mi english , im a mexican guy ... so you play very good , nice feeling !!!! best regards !!

[Mattukgtr]

The guitar is the recent Chinese made production.

Thanks for your comments !

[bebenavole]

What is the neck like?

Shape?

Thickness?

thanx

[Mattukgtr]

The neck is quite slim and consistent profile over the entire length. Like a 60s Les Paul but slimmer. The nut is narrower than a Les Paul like the 335 is - 41mm I think.

[damarust]

what scale did you use around 1:28

[Mattukgtr]

I wish I could tell you but I just don't know what the scales are called or which I use. Can anybody else helps who may be looking in ?

[britpoper]

You are playing in D major pentatonic.I only came across you because I have been looking at these guitars and I bought one they sound so sweet.They seem to have a sound of there own.

[whitefender]

just ordered the tremar viking deluxe BK. can't wait..

[abatareika]

is you guitar HAGSTROM VIKING DELUXE BK TREMAR? I am in to "Hillsong" type of Rock, would you recommend this guitar or better go for electric?

[Mattukgtr]

No mine is the Viking Deluxe ASB.

ASB = amber sunburst

BK = black

TREMAR = A Bigsby style wammy bar

Not sure about suitability to your style of music. If you need bright and jangly then this is not the right guitar. The tone of this guitar is warm and dark with an edge. Hope this helps !

[abatareika]

thanks, I am lost in the wide choice of these guitars, thank you for your recomendations

[damarust]

nice sound man, what amp are you using?

[Mattukgtr]

this is recorded direct to the computer using a PODxt.

[GOFF52]

Matt makes any guitar he plays sound so sweet. Truely great feel

[soober]

Great tone and lots of skills you have, keep bluesing. Hagstrom will be my next guitar, no doubt.

[PersianHero]

good job man

:)

[David17Rbk]

AWSOME !!! yeap !

[ihop54]

I have the same guitar in tobacco burst but it doesn't play like that one. Damn, maybe it's me!!!

Incredible stuff, I watch the blues on a Hagstrom Deluxe weekly. Then I threaten to sell my guitars.That Hagstrom seems to be you. I know it's not your favorite but it sure suits you well. You make it look so easy. If I could only know what it would feel like inside, to play like that for 10 minutes!! Incredible amount of talent. Where are those crossroads anyway?

[guitarbraver]

i have the same guitar in black and it is great.

one of the best guitars ever !!!

[cirescotish]

one word,,,wow

[r1ppe]

Beautiful song and beautiful guitar..

How is it to play? Looks like jumbo frets...?

[David17Rbk]

WOW ! ASOMBROSO MAN ! super cool eres un crak en laguitarra tio ;)

[clapt0n0wnz]

Amazing, what amp are you using?

I'm currently using a fender standard american strat with a fender hotrod deluxe but the hotrod doesnt sound to good with a distorted bluesy sound which is my goal. But you have it perfect. Any suggestions? oh and i'm also getting a hagstrom because i'm digging the semi hollow body guitars

[raindogred]

This is probably a silly question but is it a Hagstrom re-issue or and original?? nice scales

[Mattukgtr]

This is a Hagstrom Re-issue guitar.

[niniman93]

nice guitar man i got viking from like the 60s semi hollow body sounds so nice when its aged

[mindaflame7]

Could you please give me your opinion as to weather this guitar would be well suited to play classic jazz? I really want a guitar that will handle the kind of tone you would expect from Joe pass or maybe a little warmer like Mr, Les paul. The choices are mind numbing, and the price on this Hagstrom guitars is usually well under $1000, so i've been thinking about it.

[GReaT1522]

**add "&fmt=18" to the end of the url for a great sound**

[MTLFAN11]

Damn that is a sweet guitar...the thrill is not gone

[funkyjones]

Nice touch!

[Blo0dySunday]

An awesome player with an awesome guitar !!

[benjammin420420]

i think you just sold me on a hagstrom

[florian1009]

Very Nice!

Good guitar + good player = Magic!

[1carp]

That's beautiful playing.

[tlcasey8545]

hey are those the stock pickups? if not then what are they?

[Mattukgtr]

yes they are the stock pickups, HJ-50s

[79dan]

can you hook us up with the backing track?

[JayGreenly]

Thanks for making up my mind for me! You play great dude and the tone you've dialed in is on the money for your attack and style. Nice job! I was going to go pick up a used Les paul studio, now I'm going to go order a new Viking Deluxe. Cheers!

[Balenzo]

Hi Matt, greetings from NZ. Love your music and always looking for more.

[iCerial]

superp playing

thats true skill

:]

even though half the time it look like you're giving me the finger

[LOSTinVear]

This seriously some of the best playing I've seen on youtube ever! Your licks are just amazing and you use them with perfect timing. your sound; also from the top drawer

[GeoStratocaster]

Thanks! I thought it looked more like a cherry sunburst, but if you say amber, it is.

The first 60 seconds sounds like a very good Peter Green tone, excellent.

[GeoStratocaster]

Hey Matt, I am just about to order one of those guitars right now, but as I can't get to seem then prior to playing them, can I ask you which colour your own instrument is? I can't be sure if it's the cherry burst, amber, vintaqe burst or tobacco. It's hard to tell really, but I particularly like the colour of your's. Awesome blues man! Killer tone too!

[Mattukgtr]

Hi - my Viking Deluxe is Amber Sunburst

Matt

[13treceshadow]

seen it yesterday! lets chat

energetic fun smart and loves this video KU

[Andrerocker88]

ace man! and hagstroms are cool,i got a f200p, love it

[cr85bigwheel]

i have a hagstrom super sweed and i love it

[chompie93]

What Amp and Pedal do you use?

Very good!!

[BluesHounds]

It's actually recorded direct to my mixer using a Line6PODxt - The POD amp settings are allegedly Marshall Plexi through a 4x12 with greenbacks!

[79dan]

killer tone!!!!!

[ruppmusic]

As a fellow Hagstrom owner (addict actually), my hats off to you. Sounded so sweet. Now I think I need to add a POD to my collection.

[jawilluk1]

Nice playing Matt. Where did you get the backing tracks?

[Mattukgtr]

I recorded the backing track in my studio. You will notice there is no bass guitar

[jmansdabaddest]

why no bass?

[BluesHounds]

It was just a quick backing track I created to demo the Hagstrom

[guitarflipp]

fantastic !!

is this improvisation in pentatonic minor ?

[Mattukgtr]

Glad you like it - thanks for the comment!

It's minor something but I have no technical knowledge - but I hear a mode change when the progrssion gets to the G - here are the backing chords:-

Bm Em Bm G F#7 Bm

[jeromerocks123]

wow that guitar sounds amazing

[sevenswordsx7]

Dude! You are a cut above. You also helped sell another Hagstrom Viking!

[jensmertelmeyer]

Dude, many thanks for finally revealing what "amp" you used. Pretty surprised it's a POD, especially Plexi! (One could have guessed at 5:10-5:50) I also have one of those. I'm really looking forward to trying out a Viking, too bad no shop in my area has one of these beauties :-(

PS: I saved the audio to my mp3 player and listen to it every day, very, very nice playing and excellent backing track!

[weepster123]

hey, are those stock HJ-50 pckups? and what do you have the volumes and tones set for? great playing by the way! extremely smooth!

[Mattukgtr]

Yes they are the stock pickups -thanks for the comments !

[skitheport]

dude, your the next santana!

[URock66]

Love it.

[supraman320]

very nice playing man, love your sound and style

[snotmale]

lovely fluid action! Yes the amp and sets would be interesting to know...

Superb!

[Mattukgtr]

It's actually recorded direct to my mixer using a Line6PODxt - The POD amp settings are allegedly Marshall Plexi through a 4x12 with greenbacks!

[nikitran]

Please, please, please, tell me what amp is being used for this song...the tone is amazingly sweet.

[newpixeldude]

Great phrasing dude! Beautiful Hagstrom. I want one of those!

[spmartin]

Matt,

I love your playing. I have an Ultra Swede, natural quilted maple top. Nice... Do you have a site with more of your music anywhere?

Steve

[wilburthedilbur]

Hi Matt . Superb . Thinking of buying one of these Vikings. Can you comment on the composite material used on the fretboard. How does it compare to Rosewood or Maple. Looking forward to more postings. Cheers

[Mattukgtr]

There is something unique about the Hagstrom Viking. Maybe it is the fingerboard material, it is hard, very smooth and a dull black. The feel is very fast and easy and has excellent sustain, note clarity, warmth and volume.

My original vintage Hagstrom Swede has an ebony fingerboard but I couldn't say which is better!

The Viking should not sound and feel so good at this price !!

[Mormonmafya]

Hey what kind of gauge strings do you usually use on that thing

[Mattukgtr]

The strings are the same gauged as supplied with the guitar, 010-046. On my other guitars I use 009-042 but for some reason I can play 010s easily on the Hag Viking.

[poindexter3000]

Sounds Steely Danish! Quite sweet!If ,i may say! Keep it coming!

[Mattukgtr]

Hi Dr Paul!

I make them myself - recorded on the computer.

[rfsrv1]

Great tasteful playing as usual Matt. Where do you get your backing tracks from? any particular web sites that you could recommend?

Regards,

Dr Paul