Electric Guitars

[kit_strong]

Right now I'm leaning towards purple or blue but like everyone else I'm waiting to see color samples.
I wishe ebony and SS frets were an option but it wasn't so important as to stop me from being a backer.

[Zarthaz]

Not sure bout colour yet myself, rosewood fretboard yes.
Perhaps a red colour, both my LP and Strat are black as it is, a different colour be cool ehe.
Will know more when we see the colour samples I guess

[John Backlund]

This is an update posted on the Retronix Kickstarter site for December 10, it concerns the colors and a few other details....

"Hi Everyone - I want to let everybody know what we have decided on colors. The colors that we will be producing for this initial Kickstarter run will be Black, Olympic White, Hot Rod Red, Cobalt Blue, Dark Purple, Surf Green and Shell Pink. All colors will be metallic. We are hoping to have samples of each color (except the black) by the end of the month. I thought that you would all like to start thinking about what you would like. However, you won't have to make your final decision until after we post some pictures of the prototypes. If all goes as planned, the Black, Red, Cobalt Blue and Purple will have White Pearloid pickguards and the White, Pink and Surf Green will have brown tortoise shell pickguards. We should also be able to offer Rosewood and Maple fingerboard options. We are very close to finalizing everything and we hope that you have fun making your decisions. Thanks again - Kevin "

There apparently still needs to be a clarification of some of the colors because it's stated that Surf Green and Shell Pink will be offered, and also that all colors will be metallic. 'Surf Green' and 'Shell Pink' are definately not metallics, and I suspect that 'Hot Rod Red' isn't either, they are always solids. I suspect that this wording is a minor oversight and will be clarified soon.

[Flatspotter]

Well, that narrows it down to cobalt blue or dark purple. Gotta have metallic!

[axegrinder]

Originally Posted by John Backlund

There apparently still needs to be a clarification of some of the colors because it's stated that Surf Green and Shell Pink will be offered, and also that all colors will be metallic. 'Surf Green' and 'Shell Pink' are definately not metallics, and I suspect that 'Hot Rod Red' isn't either, they are always solids. I suspect that this wording is a minor oversight and will be clarified soon.

I noticed that too John. They have used that wording on a previous update and it's clear that Kevin (who understandably may be more interested in logistics than aesthetics) intends all colors to be metallic... whether or not he knows or considered the implication.

As the designer and arguably having the best 'eye' for what will work, I'd think your advise will carry more weight than anyone else... especially since the decision won't so much impact the bottom line as much as it would reflect well on the legacyof this endevour.

I know for myself I just like off-beat colors that work with the post-modern theme.

[mediocreplayer]

Making all the colors metallic is a huge mistake, and eliminates my order of the hot-rod red. I hate metallic colors. Some love them. So it makes sense to have both metallic and not-so-metallic.

[John Backlund]

Originally Posted by mediocreplayer

Making all the colors metallic is a huge mistake, and eliminates my order of the hot-rod red. I hate metallic colors. Some love them. So it makes sense to have both metallic and not-so-metallic.

I'm pretty certain that the red, seafoam, and pink, are going to be solids, but I'll have to call Kevin or Steve to be able to say with certainty. I'm not always 'in the loop' on this stuff from JBD. I guess I don't really understand why there should confusing info in a single paragraph about the proposed colors of this guitar, it's not exactly rocket surgery to read through some of this stuff for clarity or accuracy in the information before posting it as an update that ends up raising more questions than it answers.

[Bruce Bennett]

lets hear all the opinions on this version of surf green ..

[Grantus]

The surf green looks good to me

[kit_strong]

I like it. I have a feeling that picking a color will be damned tough.

[nicholai]

looks good. Shame someone embezzled about 100k from me this year or I'd buy. Can't even afford the wife a Christmas present after that, sigh.

[axegrinder]

I'm on an iPhone at the moment. Am I seeing flakes in that green? I had reservations, but that seems to work with that shade... even if I pick something different.

*edit* Okay looking at it at home now... I don't think it's for me. Since opinions were requested...
To me surf green is a lighter shade.



The above prototype looks more like this fella:

[peavey_impact]

Mann, I would SO love to have one of those. They remind me of my Starfield Cabriolet

[Bruce Bennett]

Originally Posted by axegrinder

I'm on an iPhone at the moment. Am I seeing flakes in that green? I had reservations, but that seems to work with that shade... even if I pick something different.

*edit* Okay looking at it at home now... I don't think it's for me. Since opinions were requested...
To me surf green is a lighter shade.

yes, that is our version of a "Metallic" finish. in person, this finish really POPS! I can't reveal exactly how we achieve this look.. but its not just a metallic flake in the paint.
I've said all along that we have never been able to properly photograph our guitars. and my cell phone camera is making it darker

[bjcarl]

I dig it, but it's more of a toothpaste green. It'd look great with a tortoiseshell pickguard, IMO.

(incidentally, and I do like it, but I kinda think you should call it "booger green", just to be different )

[spacequixote]

I think the green looks nice, although it doesn't really look like surf green from the pics (unfortunately). Probably a good choice with tortoise though. I likely would have gone with surf green if it had been pastel, but if they all have this type of metal flake I'll probably go with hot rod red. Have you decided on pickups and hardware yet (especially for the hardtail version)?

Originally Posted by Bruce Bennett

lets hear all the opinions on this version of surf green ..

[Bruce Bennett]

UPDATE:
J.Backlund Design guitars will be at the Winter 2013 NAMM show with the new Retronix samples.

Booth# 1375 Hall E

The company will be represented at NAMM by Steve Lewis and Kevin Maxfield.

[rog951]

Wow. That green looks a lot better than I thought a "metal flake surf green" type thingie might look. It's gonna be tough to choose!

[brucebennett]

 the Korean Models have arrived and they look GREAT!

 Korean color photos

[rog951]

Wow, the guitars really look great! My only minor disappointment is that I sorta miss those three little "slots" in the pickguard - I thought that was a neat little detail.

Also, will we get a picture of a black guitar before we have to select? I assume the black would have a white p/g? It'd be great to see one if possible!