John Backlund Guitars - Weird, Wild, & Futuristic Guitars

 

Mandark the Nerd

When I was a kid in school there always seemed to be a nerdy kid in at least one my classes that drew futuristic pictures of hot rods, rocket ships, or even wild guitars instead of paying attention to the lessons. 

John Backlund

Though John Backlund of Rapid City, South Dakota, is an older guy now, he may have been such a kid, day dreaming, and doodling some of the most futuristic looking guitars ever. But his guitars were actually made, and offered for sale.

Bruce Bennett

During Backlund’s journey he encountered and collaborated with Chattanooga Tennessee luthier extraordinaire Bruce (Brownie) Bennett, who had already been producing some retro-futuristic guitar designs. Together they came up with the JBD Series of very unusual electric guitars. 

J. Backlund With Guitars
That He Designed

When Bennett first encountered John Backlund he possessed a stack of letters from eager customers wanting to know where they could buy his instruments. 

Bennett made all his instruments by hand, so it took a while to get started on putting Backlund’s concepts to go forward as real guitars. Additionally there was a wait for customers to get an instrument.

JBD-100

The first three were the JBD (John Backlund Design) 100. The body had an unreal shape that allowed the player access on the neck up to the 24th fret. 

The JBD-100 featured a mahogany body, a set mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard, Lace Alumitones—a bridge-position humbucker and neck single-coil—a Hipshot Baby Grand bridge, and all US-made electronics. Another cool standard feature was the recessed Electrosocket jack mount The headstock is a unique six on a side unit. 

JBD-200

The JBD-200 combined a futuristic Tele style body that is made in two pieces. It featured a bolt-on mahogany neck with a figured maple fretboard with ebony inlays, and Lace Alumitones with a bridge humbucker and neck single-coil pickups. 

JBD-800

The JBD-800 features more of a Jazzmaster style body made of a korina wood. This guitar included a bolt-on maple neck with a bird’s-eye maple fretboard, and three Lace Alumitone single-coils.

The prices of these instruments ranged from $2000 to $2800.

 

Bruce Bennett

Sadly Bruce Bennett passed away in December of 2024 at only 61 years of age. 

Backlund Design Retronix

In 2012 John Backlund launched a new venture called J. Backlund Designs which aimed to produce more affordable versions of his guitars by manufacturing them in Asia under the Retronix Brand Name. 

This progect was accomplished through a Kickstarter program. 

Eastwood Backlunds

Currently John Backlund has licensed his guitars through Eastwood Guitars, which is a company that makes replicas of well known classic guitars and basses. These are quality instrument with costs that are much less than what the original instruments value.

©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only)

Click on the links below the pictures for sources

Please click on the advertisements - Thank you!