The Cambridge
A fully hollow, single-cutaway electric inspired by 1950s-60s department-store catalog guitars, hand-built one at a time by Rhode Island luthier Glenn Nichols.
About this guitar
The Cambridge is Retrograde Guitars’ most popular and customizable model — a small-bodied (14” lower bout), fully hollow electric built around a three-bolt “Catalog Style” neck joint and a pair of Glenn Nichols’ own handwound dog-ear P-90 pickups. Its light hollow construction and vintage-inspired appointments (aged hardware, hand-rubbed antique varnish, pearloid pickguard) suit fingerstyle, jazz, blues, and retro rock/soul playing. Each guitar is commissioned directly with the maker as a Private Build.
Specs
| Body | Fully hollow — flame maple laminate top with mahogany center lam, flame maple laminate back, solid flame maple sides |
|---|---|
| Lower Bout | 14" |
| Body Depth | 2" |
| Binding | Single cream binding |
| Neck | Mahogany, Classic "C" shape, .840-.920" |
| Neck Joint | Three-bolt "Catalog Style" neck joint w/ steel inserts |
| Headstock | "Boat Paddle" headstock, pearl Retrograde logo |
| Scale Length | 24.9" |
| Nut Width | 1 11/16" |
| Fretboard | Granadillo, recessed fret ends, pearl dot inlay |
| Tuners | Gotoh Vintage Kluson-style |
| Bridge | Gotoh large-post Tune-o-matic |
| Pickups | Retrograde handwound "dog ear" P-90s in nickel covers |
| Controls | Volume, Volume, Master Tone, 3-way switch |
| Pickguard | Pearloid |
| Hardware | Aged hardware and tailpiece |
| Finish | Hand-rubbed antique varnish |
| Case | Hardshell case included |
| Pricing | $6000 stated Private Build base price; final cost varies guitar to guitar — contact maker for a full quote |
| Order Status | 2026 Private Build waitlist is currently closed per the maker's How to Order page (checked 2026-09-17); recently finished examples may also surface through dealer The Music Emporium, Lexington MA |
Quick answers
- How much does the The Cambridge cost?
- Retrograde Guitars lists it at $6,000 (USD). Dealer and used prices vary.
- Is the The Cambridge still available?
- It's available for preorder from Retrograde Guitars.
- Who makes the The Cambridge?
- Retrograde Guitars. Where it's built: Built by Glenn Nichols in his one-person workshop, an artist studio in an old factory building in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It's listed here as a hollow guitar.
- How long is the wait for Retrograde Guitars gear?
- About 10 guitars a year. Finished guitars are sold through The Music Emporium in the Boston area. A limited number of private build slots open each year by email waitlist, and the 2026 private build waitlist is closed.