Pat Smear's Hagstrom HiiN: The Germs, Nirvana, Foo Fighters & Beyond | Nirvana Guitar History Ep 7 

As an old punker it's amazing to see him go from the Germs to backing up Mick Jagger on SNL; what a ride for that guy!

I met Pat at a Germs reunion gig in 2009 in Brighton. He was way cool & super friendly, the only time I have ever been star-struck but I hid it well. The gig itself was tiny and I was directly in front of Pat for most of it, could not have been more than 2meters away. My friend and I had the singer (the actor) on our shoulders at times. Such a great memory.

I’ve always been interested in what kind of weird SG Pat was playing, amazing to know.

Kurt himself played a Hagstrom II during the European tour in 1989.

I used to work at Tower Records in Maryland when the Foo’s played a free show there. I waited in the autograph line for Dave and when it was my turn, Dave looked at my empty hands and up to my eyes and I said I didn’t want an autograph, just a handshake. He laughed and said that’s different and shook my hand. I’m freaking out on the inside cuz the drummer of Nirvana just called me different. I walk over to the freight elevator and Pat Smear follows me in and lights a cigarette and looks at me. I looked at him and rolled my eyes like he wasn’t even there. I’ll admit it, I’m not an envious person by nature but I was jealous of him.

notification had me gasp in excitement

Pat and his guitars always seem to be forgotten in Nirvana even though they made them sound like 10x more powerful and made both In Utero tours one of if not best tours in Nirvana. Glad to see some real recognition for him in Nirvana + his other work

Saw the Germs 3 times in 79/80 as a young kid. I was obsessed from day one. It’s true Pat never owned his own guitar until he showed up with the Red Hagstrom at The Starwood. A few months earlier he was playing a Mustang in the Darby Crash band. Great clip here 👍

Man, all theses years and i never knew what that guitar was. I always thought it was a modded SG. Thanks for this vid! 😁👍🏼

Fuck yeah! I’ve been waiting on a Pat smear video, can’t wait to see this dude!

If you’re not aware of it you should look into Jason Everman’s life story. He went from Nirvana guitarist to Delta Force/CAG special forces operator and has some really interesting stories.

Watching this on my work break. Nice video! Awesome to see a Pat related build!

Tell me how could u travel in time and met Pat on October this year? hahahaha😆, excelent vid as always obviously

You should make a music room tour! I always see something cool in the reflection like vinyls and stuff

So what a minute, you have a time machine?!?! You met Pat backstage in October of 2024 at ACL?! Hook a brother up man. I want to go back and hit a few Grateful Dead shows in the 80's!

YES This video is so good thank you for sharing the history of pat smear throughout his career his hagstrom was such an eye catching sight

I’ve been waiting for a video like this lol You did not disappoint

Fantastic Video. Absolutely love the Germs... Pats Guitar style paired with Kurt's. Absolute Bliss 🎉🎉

Awesome video Eric , gave me the chills !

ur uploads always make my day sm better, keep going bro 🖤

As always great videos 👏🏼👏🏼

Yes Nirvana guitars your my favorite RU-vidr I saw your last video and the video before that love your channel and always up to see your videos. Keep it up Eric. You’re the best!

awesome video as always dude! Super interesting stuff - sweet Hagstrom build too!

I remember the first time I heard The Germs. It was Lexicon Devil in GTA V. I found it really catchy. I then decided to listen to their only album and loved it. Then I got into Nirvana years later and was shocked to see Pat in.

You'r video's are always great and inspiration for me🔥 keep the great work up🔥

As a recent Nirvana fan, like getting into them late last year, I liked Pat's added vocals and guitars in songs especially in songs like Heart Shaped Box. Also his added energy for the Live and Loud version of Blew, so amazing

Dude thanks for this video. That guitar is so awesome, I love the double cut horns, as a massive SG lover and Fender fan this is like the best of both worlds wow

12:10 another reason Kurt always wanted it to be a 4 piece was most of his favorite bands were. I forget where I read it, but Nirvana’s sound was mainly influenced by The Beatles melodic pop hooks, Black Sabbath’s impenetrable heaviness, and The Stooges chaotic intensity. All were 4-pieces for most of their careers. Nirvana always struck me as band that looked and sounded kind of like they were from that same late 60’s/early 70’s era but fell into a time warp and landed in the late 80’s/early 90’s and a lot of their influences, outside of 70’s punk and 80’s alternative, speak to that. That was definitely a time with 4-piece bands were very “in”… and the Germs were also a 4-piece, so there ya go Anyway great video! Pat is not only a living legend but also just a chill guy. He’s proof you can be both!!

Oh man thank you for this great video!

I was waiting for THIS!!!! YEAH :D I'M SO HAPPY

Im excited for the unplugged video

Awesome vid as usual!! I once read the pat was supposed to play on you know your right but didn't get the chance before Kurt died I have always wondered what it would have sounded like.

Agree with Darby being a brilliant lyricist. Pat told a story in an interview that Darby left his written lyrics on the windscreen of David Bowie's car and got a note back from Bowie saying how good his lyrics are and to keep writing

This was great! Thank you Sir!!

I always look forward to these videos. Thanks for posting. I really appreciate the amount of research and effort that goes into making these videos. I would love to see info on the mini marshall stack at :15 on the bottom left next to the angel mannequin.

Really well done video! Subscribed!

Hell yes! Thank you for making a video on Pat Smear as a guitar player. Also 21:44

Yessssss so hyped for this

What a great video, thank you! 🤘

It’s always nice to see our heroes be genuine people 🤘🏻

I'm sure that you already knew this, but in case you didn't, Pat's new signature Hagstrom had the neck pickup replaced with a P-90 that fits in a humbucker space. Knowing that Pat has been using Seymour Duncan pickups throughout the majority of his later years, I'd feel very comfortable saying that it's probably a Seymour Duncan. I don't know what model S.D. P-90 it is because they "had" a few models through the years. That would have to be addressed when you get the chance to purchase one. As I said, you probably already knew that. But if you didn't, I pray that you get this message and it helps you. Also, thank you for all of the information you have, so kindly given in your videos!

Thank you for talking about the germs. One of my favorites

Thanks so much for this, your passion for this is enjoyed and appreciated especially given the dedication, effort, research, time and resource you put into these incredibly well produced videos documenting Kurt’s guitars and history, absolutely loving it. Also it’s really cool you’ve now included a guitar and it’s historical musical importance ie; legendary Pat “germs” Smears Hagstrom broadening this incredible catalogue and collection, makes so much sense and most definitely justified as being an often overlooked rock legend guitar and guitarist/musician. Not that the following is crucially important in amongst the generous layers of detail you’ve correlated but what was that round circle shaped sticker about?, that ended up placed at the head of Pats original red Hagstrom? Thanks Eric looking forward to your next project! 🤘🎸

Well done, your videos are superb. Always leave a warm feeling of nostalgia in my soul. Thank you Eric. 🙂

Brilliant ...Really Well Researched and Presented...Cheers AAA

Awesome video. Live and Loud has always been my favorite Nirvana show. They were on their game and so powerful. I've always been curious as to the gear Pat played. Thanks for the insight!

Thank you for this amazing video

Sorry for not commenting as early as I normally do!! I've been sick the past few days and slept really late lol. This video is looking promising as hell so far!! So glad Pat is getting some attention by someone. Yet again a banger, Eric!!!

Sounds like an absolute pleasant dude. Great stuff as usual. Keep it up.

YAY ANOTHER HISTORY VIDEO!!!

I’m proud to say I was one of the many people cheering for pat in Charlotte last month he got the most applause that night

Ooh, a Strat and SG mixed. I like it! Edit: He made sure he didn't accidentally turn down the volume knob.

Congrats on 50k🎉🎉

You made me wanna learn to play nirvana on my guitar thanks to you I can play three songs all the way through Come as you are The man who sold the world Smells like teen spirit Thanks man

I’m obsessed with all things Pat. His red Hagstrom, the White Hagstrom with 3 pickups he used on FF Tours in 1996, his SG Custom, all of it. You can see various Hagstrom’s he picks up on the road, particularly on the early FF tours. He’s my favourite guitarist for sure and I’m so glad to see he’s finally getting RU-vid content!

To the A.I. : I love obscure guitar history like this, please put more in my feed like you did this channel 🙂

Pat is now a full blown hagstrom collector, with many vintage models in his huge collection. And of course there's the Pat Smear signature model from the modern incarnation of hagstrom. I own a couple vintage HIIN OT, Swedes, Vikings, Super Swede.... And 2 modern era issues. Great axes.

I have to agree that he's been overlooked - he's always been a subtle inspiration of mine.

I've always thought his Hagstrom looked really cool and sounds awesome as well, this was awesome

Awesome work man, as always! Are you gonna do more covers with this guitar?

Another W video by NirvanaGuitars!

Honestly this is the best RU-vidr

YEEEEES I WAS WAITING FOR THIS thegermsguitars when????

Bro i love this channel

Love every second of this! Guess it’s time to get a ripper

Thank you for doing this it was a very well-oiled machine.... For me Nirvana had a full sound when Pat jumped on the train , I can listen to a 1993 / 94 live show and then the studio album of Utero and still feel it

Hell yeah! My favourite era of nirvana was definitely when they had Pat in the band, with my favourite performance being the one on nulle part ailleurs. Definitely reckon Pat added a lot to the shows from his guitar and backing vocals filling up the sonic space. You’ve done a legendary job recreating the Hagstrom. The Hagstrom is definitely Pat’s most iconic guitar and was really awesome learning about all the changes and mods. Definitely excited to see more videos with the Hagstrom!

A wonderful guiter Eric love it so much❤❤❤

I was at the show you have posted in this video and it was called the moon in New Haven Connecticut and my band ez green played there too and you can see our music videos on RU-vid and this was in 1991 thanks for sharing this amazing video with us all I really enjoyed it. ROCK ON !! 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻 Chris Villano lead singer of ez green

19:57 Nice build!!!

Pat Smear is an absolute legend and icon!

I love pat so much I really like that video with him and Dave about Bowie, that was funny. awesome video man!

That guitar is a work of art

that is such a unique looking guitar !

Pat's SG should be legendary by now, good video by the way.

no WAY you met Pat?! Not many people know this, but Pat Smear is actually the coolest Foo Fighter.

Pat is probably my pick for most underrated rock guitar player, and likewise for his unique gear

Excellent cover of My Hero!

Thanks for this. Pat was the perfect 2nd guitarist for Nirvana. He’s the shit!

I love Pat Smear!!

I love Pat’s guitar tone on Live and Loud, especially when he comes in during “Breed”.

Awesome awesome awesome always had been curious about that particular instrument. Pat Smear is truly a uniquely subtle Guitar God Icon. Seamlessly blended with Nirvana extending the perfect trio lineup to even greater significance. I miss Kurt Cobain 😊

Nice vid Eric

Thanks!

Nice to hear the guitar inspired you to write your own stuff. You’re lucky man I’ve lived 20 miles south of Seattle since 6th grade in 93 and moved from Alaska and discovered Nirvana after hearing weird al not knowing he didn’t write the teen spirit parody until seeing Nirvana on beavis and butthead and have been hooked ever since. You are very lucky for all the cool Nirvana related experiences you’ve had and I’m rather jealous. It’s obvious you’ve done a shitload of research on Kurt and the band and are very passionate. I used to ride my bike to green river community college and go on the stage at the lindbloom student center where Nirvana had played 4 years before and remember thinking how cool it was cus I was able to walk on the stage they played on. They also had a jukebox that had drain you on it and I played that song a million times which is my favorite song by them maybe…..It’s a tough decision but THANK YOU for such cool videos they are put together very well!!!

Beautiful

"Hold my cigarette..." -Pat Smear to the stage

I love this information I was very interested and I really recommend you do Kurt’s right handed guitars in the bleach era

HOLY SHIT THATS INSANE MAN❤❤

Awesome guitar 👍👍

Best vid you’ve made

Pat's such a G. A lot of dudes had that Greg Ginn rhythm-specification in punk but Pat's got a swing that's unmatched, and he's actually secretly a gear nerd

I’ve never clicked on a notification so quickly

this is amazing!!!! thank you very much. Do you know what strings gauge did pat use in Germs and in Nirvana?

such a cool guitar

hey, you should try doing tabs videos for both kurt and pat's parts on live and loud... you're the channel we trust the most for sonically replicating nirvana, so that would make everyone happy i think. dunno if that's too much work but damn it would be so nice

Pat's red hagstrom is in now in the Punk Rock Museum in Vegas! The best part is you can actually play it in the jam room! if youre ever in the area pls come check it out

Pat’s awesome. He looks like he just loves to play.

Great video man, you should do a lexicon devil cover with the hagstrom guitar!!

Yes!!