HAGSTRÖM, ÄLVDALEN, SWEDEN, 1976

Mark Knopfler purchased this Swede bass as a pair with a Swede electric guitar (lot 48) from Diamond Strings in Rochester, New York, in August 2004. Upon inquiry, AB Albin Hagström confirmed that the bass was made in Älvdalen, Sweden, on 5 March 1976 and shipped to Selmer in the US.

Knopfler’s guitar tech Glenn Saggers told us that, once purchased, every guitar would spend time in Mark’s hands so he could get an idea of the sound and where a particular guitar might fit in a particular song. This guitar was tried during the recording process, yet never made it on to a record. From time to time, Knopfler kept this guitar in his study for home use.