Retrograde Cambridge Autumn Red w/McNelly Stagger Swagger Pickups

Description

"The goal of Retrograde Guitars is to explore the potential of the electric laminate top guitar, and to create a unique instrument with a clear and open voice. The design draws from the early jazz boxes of the 30s & 40s and the catalog guitars of the 50s & 60s. By using vacuum press technology, hand-carved necks, hand-rubbed colors and home-brewed varnishes, I combined modern building methods with old-world lutherie." - Glenn Nichols

Each Cambridge model we get from Glenn Nichols differs a bit from the last one - and that's 100% by design. This stunning Autumn Red Cambridge came about from a conversation we had with Glenn about making an ES-330 inspired build - cherry red, P90s, you know the drill. As many gifted builders do, Glenn took this idea and put his own masterful spin on it. The result is an alive, resonant guitar that has a bit more punch and "push back" than other Cambridge models we've had. Meaning, it dips a touch more into its inspiration's well (ES-330) than, say, a Harmony. 

The Cambridge is the model that made us immediately want to work with Glenn and represent his brand. While stunning visually - and as you'd expect, the finish work is incredible - it's when we sat down with it that we were just knocked out. It's a very lightweight instrument, balances perfectly, and the tones and playability are really addictive. It sounds like an old, perfectly seasoned guitar with a gorgeous acoustic voice. You could play it happily for extended periods of time before ever thinking of plugging it in. 

Once plugged in, that same airy, open acoustic voice combines with the muscular midrange punch of a mahogany neck and McNelly Stagger Swagger pickups - think P90s crossed with a humbucker. 

While the name Retrograde Guitars may be new to you, Glenn's work likely is not. Glenn was the finish department foreman at Santa Cruz guitars, was in charge of French Polish restorations for renowned classical guitar maker Kenny Hill, and is currently Bill Tippin's only employee. In other words, Glenn knows a thing or two about building exceptional instruments. Priced with hardshell case.