While many new guitars of the last decade have touted authentic (or semi-authentic) “retro” features, the Peerless Retromatic represents an evolution in the retro-guitar revolution. That’s because in addition to its sexy design and vintage-inspired accoutrements, the Retromatic is refreshingly modern, giving its player the choice between a humbucker and a P-90 pickup.
Obviously, the Retromatic is a looker – a semi-hollowbody with swank art deco design. Pick it up, however, and the guitar’s modern tweaks are immediately apparent. The Retromatic is a fast shredder, with a low action set up on a 243/4″-scale-length rosewood fingerboard a on a set maple neck with a low heel profile to boot. There are 21 frets plus a 3/4 fret over the body, which comprises a mahogany block with maple laminate top, back, and sides. Practically speaking, though, playing access is limited above the 18th fret. But that befits the Retromatic’s single-cutaway, semi-hollow design – playing beyond that position doesn’t really fit this guitar’s groove anyway.