John Backlund’s over-the-top-retro-futuristic guitar designs are truly unique but very few have ever had the opportunity to own one – until now. John has partnered with the Eastwood Custom Shop to bring these designs to life. Introducing the Backlund 100…
Originally available from J Backlund Designs from 2007 to 2012 – these guitars were handmade by master luthier Bruce Bennett & usually cost between $3500-$7000 USD. The guitars were very rare but were noticed by artists like Joe Walsh who had a mint green & black Backlund model custom made for him. Then in 2013 they re-badged as Retronix – a new line of affordable instruments from J Backlund Design Guitars made in Korea. The Retronix JBD-100 was one of the designs made in a short-lived run.
But now Backlund have partnered with the Eastwood Custom Shop to bring their designs to the masses. After a successful online KickStarter project the guitar is reborn as the Backlund 100 and is now commercially available.
The guitars are built in the Mirr Music Co. factory in South Korea – the same company that makes Reverend guitars.
- Body material: Mahogany
- Finish: Polyurethane
- Pickguard: plastic with brushed metal-looking finish
- Neck material: Mahogany
- Fingerboard material: Rosewood
- Neck shape: Soft C
- Scale length: 24 3/4″
- Fingerboard radius: 14″ (350mm)
- Number of frets: 24 1/2
- Fret size: Medium Jumbo
- Nut width: 1 5/8″
- Position markers: Dot
- Pickup (neck): Custom Wound Blade type
- Pickup (bridge): Custom Wound Double Coil
- Pickup Switching: 3-way Blade Style
- Controls: Volume, Tone
- Hardware finish: Chrome
- Bridge options: wraparound hardtail
- Weight: 7 1/2 lbs
- Colors: Metallic Blue, Metallic Red, Mint Green & Black
- Country manufactured: South Korea
