Retrograde Guitars

Retrograde Cambridge #82 Dark Sunburst

$5,800.00 Sold out

Pickup currently unavailable at 165 Showroom

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Product information

Glenn Nichols builds instruments the way great vintage guitars were built - and Cambridge #82, with its French polished neck, hand-rubbed varnish, and Lord Ike mini humbuckers, sounds every bit as good as it looks.

Glenn Nichols has been a part of The Music Emporium family for years now, and he currently works in our repair department doing vintage restorations. His résumé reads like a who's who of the craft: finish department foreman at Santa Cruz Guitar Company, French polish restoration work for classical guitar maker Kenny Hill, close collaboration with Bill Tippin.

The Cambridge is the model that made us want to represent him all those years ago, and Cambridge #82 is a particularly fine example of why.

It starts with the construction: a flame maple laminate top over a mahogany inner core, solid flame maple sides, AAA figured maple neck, granadillo fingerboard, and a Madagascar rosewood headstock. The spec sheet reads like someone who has spent years inside great instruments and knows exactly which decisions matter. The 24.9" scale and 1-11/16" nut width land in a comfortable middle ground that suits a wide range of playing styles.

Then there's the finish work, which has to be seen, and felt, in person. Glenn applies a hand-rubbed antiqued varnish to the body and French polish to the neck, a combination that gives the Cambridge a warmth and resonance under the hands that modern finishes simply can't replicate. The dark sunburst is stunning. The extra-wide tortoise binding, Gotoh relic keystone tuners, and aged patina tailpiece complete a visual picture that reads as genuinely vintage rather than vintage-inspired.

Acoustically, the Cambridge sounds like a guitar that's been played and loved for decades - open, airy, and richly voiced in a way that makes you want to keep playing before ever reaching for a cable. Plugged in, the Lord Ike mini humbuckers deliver that same character with chime and output that suits the guitar perfectly. Volume and two tone controls keep things simple and intuitive.

The real question with any instrument is whether it inspires you. This one does - immediately and without reservation.

Body
Top
Flame maple laminate with mahogany inner core
Back
Flame maple laminate
Sides
Solid flame maple
F-holes
Violin style
Bracing
Walnut sound post
Binding
Extra wide tortoise
Finish
Hand-rubbed antiqued varnish / dark sunburst

Hardware
Pickups
Lord Ike mini humbuckers
Wiring
Volume / Tone Tone
Bridge
Gotoh tune-o-matic
Tailpiece
Solid aged patina
Tuners
Gotoh relic keystone
Pickguard
Tortoise

Neck
Wood
AAA figured maple
Fingerboard
Granadillo
Headstock
Madagascar rosewood
Scale length
24.9"
Nut
Bone 1-11/16"
Neck joint
Catalog style 3-bolt
Frets
.040 x .080
Inlay
Pearl dots (fingerboard / pearl Retrograde logo (headstock)
Side dots
White
Finish
French polish

Other
Case
Hardshell humicase

New. Chosen. Cherished.

We hand-select each one for its tone, feel, and build quality - instruments that inspire and stand up to real-world playing. Whether you're chasing a lifelong companion or something that just clicks, our curated lineup reflects decades of experience matching players with the right guitar.

High Standards

We only stock new instruments from builders who meet our highest standards for tone, build quality, and consistency, each one carefully selected to reflect the level of craftsmanship our customers expect.

Accurate Representation

Every instrument is meticulously photographed and accurately described, so you can buy with confidence knowing exactly what to expect.

Inspection & Setup

Each instrument is thoroughly inspected by our staff for authenticity and condition, with any necessary work and a full setup completed before it’s listed for sale.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this instrument’s condition, feel free to give us a call or drop us an email - we are always happy to provide an in-hand description and make sure you’re confident in your purchase.

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