Austin Black

This guitar is currently being added to the Back From The Dead Guitars catalog. Full specifications, restoration and upgrade details, condition disclosures, and additional photographs are still being documented.

Online purchasing is temporarily disabled until the listing is complete.

If you are interested in this guitar before the documentation is finished, please contact Back From The Dead Guitars for current details and availability.

Scale Length: 22.75 inches

Nut Width: 42 mm

Nut Material: Bone

Bridge Hardtail

Pickup Configuration: SSS – Three Single-Coil Pickups

Pickup DC Resistance:

• Neck: 5.27kΩ

• Middle: 5.25 kΩ

• Bridge: 5.78 kΩ

Number of Frets: 20

Fretboard Radius: 12 inches

String Action: 1.50 mm at the 12th fret

Weight: 6.1 lbs

Finish / Color: Black

Orientation: Right-Handed

X   Deep Clean

X   Electronics Checked

X   Tuners Serviced

X   Fretboard Cleaned / Hyddrated

X   Neck Adjusted

X  Setup Completed

X   Body Buffed / Polished

Upgrades and Modifications

This Austin Strat-style electric guitar underwent a detailed restoration involving finish correction, hardware servicing, fretwork, electronic modifications, improved electrical shielding, and a complete playing setup. The goal was to improve the instrument's appearance, reliability, tonal versatility, and playing comfort while retaining its original character.

Electronics and Component Upgrades

• Potentiometers: Installed Alpha A250K miniature potentiometers.

• Tone Capacitor: Installed a .022 µF capacitor for the tone control.

• Treble Bleed Circuit: Added to the volume control to help retain higher frequencies and clarity when reducing volume.

• 5-Way Selector Switch: Installed an upgraded black circuit-board 5-way pickup selector switch.

• Gilmour Switching Modification: Added a mini-toggle switch to provide additional pickup combinations beyond the traditional five-way Strat-style arrangement.

• Output Jack: Installed a new Switchcraft output jack for a dependable instrument cable connection.

• Copper Foil Shielding: Applied conductive copper foil tape to the electronics cavity and underside of the pickguard to help reduce unwanted electrical interference.

• Grounding Improvements: Added copper contact points within the electronics cavity and beneath the bridge to support electrical grounding and continuity between components.

Body and Finish Restoration

The guitar was completely disassembled to allow individual cleaning, inspection, and servicing of its components.

The original black finish received a three-stage corrective polishing process using automotive-grade compounds and finishing polish. This treatment reduced the appearance of surface scratches and scuffs while restoring clarity, depth, and gloss to the existing finish.

The original bridge, mounting screws, output jack plate, neck plate, and strap buttons were ultrasonically cleaned to remove accumulated dirt and contamination, followed by polishing to improve their appearance.

The original finish and hardware were retained wherever practical.

Neck, Nut, and Fretboard Restoration

The original tuning machines were removed from the headstock, thoroughly cleaned, polished, and prepared for continued use.

The fretboard received a detailed cleaning using appropriate chemical cleaning products to remove accumulated grime and residue. The fretboard edges were then lightly rolled to provide a softer, more comfortable feel during playing.

The frets were inspected for level, recrowned, and polished to improve their playing surfaces.

The original nut was replaced with a new hand-shaped bone nut, individually fitted, slotted for the intended 11-gauge strings, and polished.

Following the cleaning and fretwork, the fretboard was reconditioned with lemon oil.

Bridge and Hardware Adjustments

The original hardtail bridge was retained after cleaning and inspection.

The saddle height adjustment screws were replaced with new 8 mm black saddle set screws, providing renewed adjustment points for setting string height.

A forward shim was installed in the neck pocket to optimize the neck-to-body angle and help achieve the desired bridge saddle adjustment range.

Strings, Setup, and Final Testing

Following reassembly, the electronics and electrical connections were checked before completing the final setup.

A new set of Lekato 11-gauge electric guitar strings was installed.

The truss rod was adjusted to establish suitable neck relief, followed by bridge and saddle adjustments to achieve a string action of approximately 1.5 mm at the 12th fret.

The guitar was then connected to an amplifier and played to verify the operation of the pickups, volume and tone controls, five-way selector switch, and added Gilmour switching modification.

Final intonation adjustments were performed under the environmental conditions present in the shop.

Restoration Summary

This Austin received a combination of practical component upgrades, detailed cleaning, cosmetic correction, fretwork, and setup improvements.

The addition of a hand-fitted bone nut, upgraded electronics, expanded pickup switching, copper shielding, and renewed saddle adjustments provides improvements over its original configuration while preserving much of the instrument's existing hardware.

The result is a refurbished, affordable short-scale electric guitar prepared for its next owner to play and enjoy.

Another guitar brought Back From The Dead.

The Story Behind This Guitar

Austin AU720BK — Black Short-Scale Strat-Style Guitar

An imagined history inspired by this guitar's appearance, condition, and journey from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Back From The Dead Guitars.

It was December 2014, and Christmas was approaching in Greensboro, North Carolina.

A father was looking for a special gift for his 13-year-old son, who had recently developed an interest in learning to play the electric guitar.

Rather than purchase an expensive full-size instrument that might eventually be forgotten in a closet, he visited a local music store looking for something suitable for a beginner.

There he discovered a black Austin short-scale Strat-style electric guitar. Its smaller dimensions, affordable price, and familiar appearance seemed perfect for a young musician.

He purchased the guitar, a carrying bag, and a few accessories, then arranged for his son to begin taking lessons after Christmas.

On Christmas morning, the boy opened the long, narrow package beneath the tree and discovered his first electric guitar.

He was thrilled.

Over the following year, the familiar sounds of buzzing strings, hesitant chords, and repeated attempts at favorite songs filled the family home.

The boy attended weekly lessons at the music store, gradually improving until he could play recognizable songs. He particularly enjoyed practicing in the garage, where he could turn up his amplifier without disturbing the entire household.

By early 2016, the Austin had become a familiar companion.

Then, one afternoon, an unfortunate accident changed everything.

A friend was visiting, and the two boys were fooling around in the garage, pretending to be rock stars.

His friend picked up the Austin, slipped the strap over his shoulder, and began jumping up and down while imitating a guitarist performing onstage.

Suddenly, the strap slipped free from its attachment point.

The guitar fell and struck the hard garage floor.

Both boys froze.

When they picked it up, they discovered thin cracks extending from the area where the neck joined the body.

The young owner was devastated.

"My guitar's ruined!"

His father examined the damage and tried to reassure him that the cracks might only be in the finish. Nevertheless, he understood his son's concern and decided to have the instrument professionally examined.

He returned to the music store and explained what had happened.

The technician removed the neck and inspected the pocket where it attached to the body. To determine whether the cracks extended into the wood, he carefully sanded away portions of the black finish along the sides of the neck pocket.

The exposed wood revealed the guitar's laminated construction.

After examining the area, the technician could find no visible evidence of cracking or separation within the wood itself. The neck appeared stable, and the guitar showed no obvious mechanical problems during testing.

However, he explained that damage hidden beneath the remaining finish could not be completely ruled out.

The father was relieved.

His son was not.

Every time the boy looked at the cracks, he saw a broken guitar. Even though the technician had found no obvious structural failure, the boy no longer trusted the instrument.

His father tried to convince him that the Austin might still be perfectly playable, but the boy remained unconvinced.

Not wanting the experience to discourage his son's growing interest in music, the father eventually purchased him a new, full-size electric guitar.

The Austin was returned to its carrying bag and placed in storage.

At first, the boy intended to keep it as a spare guitar. Perhaps one day he would take it out again.

But that day never came.

Years passed.

The boy finished school, grew older, and eventually prepared to move away from home.

By 2024, the little black Austin had remained untouched for approximately eight years.

While sorting through his belongings, he rediscovered the guitar and remembered receiving it that Christmas morning so many years earlier.

He also remembered the afternoon in the garage.

By then, he had another guitar and no particular reason to keep the Austin. Rather than move it into another home only to leave it stored away again, he decided to donate it.

He dropped the guitar off at a charitable donation and auction center in the Greensboro area, taking a donation receipt with an estimated value of $200.

For him, it was simply one less thing to pack.

For the Austin, it was the beginning of another journey.

The guitar eventually appeared in an online charity auction, still carrying the scratches, dirt, and neck-pocket cracks from its earlier life.

Someone looking for a nearly new guitar might have passed it by without a second thought.

But in April 2024, the little Austin attracted the attention of Back From The Dead Guitars.

After winning the auction, the guitar made its way from North Carolina to Michigan, where it would finally receive the attention it had been missing for so many years.

During restoration, the old neck-pocket cracks were examined once again. The previously sanded areas revealed the laminated wood beneath, but no visible cracking or separation was found within the exposed wood.

The original black finish received corrective polishing, the fretboard and frets were reconditioned, and the original plastic nut was replaced with a hand-shaped bone nut.

The electronics received several improvements, including a Gilmour switching modification, treble bleed circuit, upgraded controls, and additional copper shielding.

Even the original Korean-made Jin Ho tuning machines proved surprisingly good and were retained after cleaning and servicing.

The little Austin that had supposedly been too damaged to trust was once again making music.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this imagined history is that the guitar's greatest problem may never have been the accident itself, but the loss of confidence that followed it.

For eight years, it sat unused because someone believed it was no longer worth playing.

Now, with its scratches, imperfections, and visible neck-pocket cracks honestly documented, the Austin has another opportunity to become someone's favorite guitar.

Maybe it will belong to another young player learning those first difficult chords. Perhaps it will accompany someone on weekend getaways, or spend its evenings making music in a garage once again.

It may never have been an expensive guitar, and it may never be cosmetically perfect. But an imperfect guitar can still have plenty of music left to give.

Another guitar brought Back From The Dead.

Initial Intake and Assessment

Austin Strat-Style Electric Guitar — April 2024

This Austin short-scale Strat-style guitar arrived at Back From The Dead Guitars in mid-April 2024 showing considerable dirt, surface scratches, cosmetic wear, and evidence of previous use. Although generally complete and functional, the initial inspection revealed several issues requiring attention before restoration.

Body Construction and Original Finish

The guitar features a gloss black finish over a laminated hardwood body. Examination of the exposed wood within the neck pocket revealed multiple bonded wood layers rather than conventional solid-wood construction.

The original finish exhibited numerous scratches, scuffs, handling marks, and accumulated grime. These were especially noticeable on the back and around the body contours.

Despite the cosmetic wear, the underlying finish retained sufficient gloss to suggest that corrective polishing could substantially improve its appearance without requiring refinishing.

Neck Pocket and Finish Cracking

One of the more significant discoveries was the presence of visible cracks extending from the corners of the neck pocket into the surrounding black finish.

Closer inspection revealed that portions of the original paint along the sides of the neck pocket had previously been sanded away, exposing the laminated wood beneath. This appeared consistent with an earlier attempt to investigate the exterior cracking, although the reason for the previous work could not be confirmed.

Visual examination of the exposed wood revealed no apparent cracking or separation within the laminated body structure.

Although these findings were encouraging, visual inspection alone could not conclusively establish the full depth or origin of the exterior cracks.

The restoration plan included leveling the uneven paint remaining inside the neck pocket without completely removing it, preserving evidence that this area had previously received attention.

The visible exterior cracks would remain documented and be addressed separately in the Condition and Honest Disclosure section.

Neck, Fretboard, and Nut

The guitar arrived with its original plastic nut and a noticeably dry fretboard showing accumulated dirt and residue.

Several fret ends also felt somewhat sharp along the edges of the neck.

The fretboard was identified for thorough cleaning, conditioning, and light edge rounding. The frets would receive a level inspection, recrowning, and polishing, while the original plastic nut was selected for replacement with a hand-fitted bone nut.

Original Tuners — A Pleasant Surprise

One of the more encouraging discoveries was the quality of the original tuning machines.

Despite the guitar's budget-oriented construction, the tuners operated with a surprisingly smooth, precise, and controlled feel.

During disassembly, markings identified them as Korean-made Jin Ho sealed tuning machines, with one housing stamped "KOREA / JIN HO R4."

Some staining and discoloration were visible on the rear housings, particularly around the circular inserts. However, these imperfections appeared primarily cosmetic and did not interfere with operation during initial testing.

Their unexpectedly good performance made them excellent candidates for cleaning, polishing, and continued use rather than replacement.

Original Pickups and Electronics

Initial electrical testing confirmed that the guitar produced sound and that its basic controls operated. However, the middle pickup exhibited inconsistent performance.

During disassembly, the middle pickup's ceramic bar magnet was discovered to be loose and subsequently detached from the pickup assembly. This physical defect required attention and may have contributed to the inconsistent operation.

The original electronics included:

• Volume: Alpha miniature B500K potentiometer.

• Tone: Alpha miniature A500K potentiometer.

• Selector: Standard import green circuit-board 5-way switch.

• Pickups: Three ceramic single-coil pickups.

The 5-way selector was missing its plastic switch tip, leaving the metal lever exposed.

Plastic material was also present beneath the control knobs, although the controls rotated and functioned during intake testing.

Original Wiring and Shielding

Removal of the pickguard revealed a rather untidy wiring arrangement.

The pickup leads and control wiring formed a loosely organized bundle, with only two twist ties providing cable management. Although most of the electronics remained functional, the wiring offered considerable room for improvement.

Factory shielding was limited to a portion of the underside of the pickguard. The routed electronics cavity lacked comprehensive conductive shielding.

These findings provided an opportunity to improve wiring organization, grounding, shielding, and component quality during restoration.

Bridge and Original Hardware

The original six-saddle tremolo bridge exhibited accumulated dirt and signs of previous use.

Fortunately, a preliminary wipe-down revealed no significant corrosion, suggesting that the original bridge could be retained after proper cleaning and inspection.

The bridge, saddles, mounting screws, jack plate, neck plate, and strap buttons were identified for detailed cleaning and evaluation.

Initial Restoration Assessment

Although this Austin arrived heavily scratched, dirty, and with several issues requiring attention, the inspection revealed a number of encouraging qualities.

The original black finish appeared suitable for corrective polishing, much of the hardware remained serviceable, and the Korean-made Jin Ho tuners performed considerably better than expected for an entry-level instrument.

The laminated hardwood body exhibited visible cracking in the finish near the neck pocket, but inspection of the exposed wood revealed no visible evidence of underlying structural separation.

The inconsistent middle pickup, original plastic nut, sharp fret ends, incomplete shielding, and aging electronics were identified as areas requiring attention.

Rather than replacing every original component, the restoration would focus on retaining serviceable hardware while correcting deficiencies and introducing practical upgrades to improve functionality, comfort, and overall playing performance.

The goal was to transform a neglected, inexpensive short-scale guitar into a cleaner, more comfortable, better-equipped instrument while preserving an honest record of its construction, previous wear, and remaining imperfections.

Condition and Honest Disclosure

Please review this section and the accompanying photographs carefully before purchasing.

This Austin short-scale Strat-style guitar has received extensive cleaning, corrective polishing, fretwork, electronic improvements, and a complete playing setup. Although it retains some cosmetic imperfections and one particularly notable area of finish cracking, the completed instrument offers several qualities that make it an appealing alternative to a typical entry-level guitar.

Overall Playing Performance

One of the more encouraging results of this restoration is how well the guitar's ceramic single-coil pickups respond to the upgraded electronics.

The three pickups provide a well-balanced selection of tones, with the added treble bleed circuit helping retain clarity when reducing the volume. The Gilmour switching modification further expands the available pickup combinations beyond the traditional five-way arrangement.

The original Korean-made Jin Ho tuning machines were an unexpected highlight of this instrument. Their smooth, precise operation, combined with the newly fitted bone nut and hardtail bridge, provides a tuning arrangement that has performed well during shop testing.

The shorter scale and smaller body make the instrument comfortable to handle and easier to transport than many full-size electric guitars.

A new set of Lekato 11-gauge strings was selected to complement the shorter scale length. These provide a firmer playing feel than lighter strings on the same scale while remaining more manageable than the heavier 12- or 13-gauge sets some short-scale players prefer.

Neck Pocket Cracking — Important Disclosure

The most significant remaining cosmetic concern is the presence of visible cracks extending from both sides of the neck pocket into the surrounding black finish.

One crack is noticeably longer than the other and is generally visible under ordinary lighting. The shorter crack is less apparent and can be difficult to distinguish without closer examination.

To document these imperfections accurately, wax was applied to help accentuate the cracks, and photographs were taken using carefully positioned lighting and magnification. These photographs are intended to make the cracks easier to see rather than minimize their appearance.

During disassembly, the neck pocket revealed evidence that portions of its original paint had previously been sanded away. This appeared consistent with an earlier attempt to inspect the cracking, although the reason for that work could not be verified.

The exposed wood also revealed the body's laminated hardwood construction.

Careful visual examination of the exposed neck pocket found no visible evidence of cracking or separation within the underlying laminated wood.

During restoration, the remaining uneven paint inside the neck pocket was leveled to improve the neck's seating surface. The finish was not completely removed, preserving evidence of the earlier work.

While these observations were encouraging, they do not conclusively establish that the exterior cracking is limited to the finish. Hidden damage beneath the remaining finish cannot be ruled out through visual inspection alone.

The cracks remain visible and have not been concealed or represented as permanently repaired.

Prospective buyers should consider this condition carefully and review the detailed neck-pocket photographs before purchasing.

Original Finish and Previous Paintwork

The original black finish received a three-stage corrective polishing treatment that substantially improved its gloss and reduced the appearance of accumulated scratches and scuffs.

However, this is a previously owned instrument, and some surface scratches, small marks, and evidence of earlier handling remain.

Another interesting observation concerns traces of red or pink-colored material visible within the neck pocket and around areas where the black finish has chipped near the neck joint.

These markings raise the possibility that the body may have received an earlier red finish, colored undercoat, or other finishing treatment before its present black appearance.

The original factory finishing process and any possible previous refinishing history have not been verified. These observations are disclosed for completeness rather than presented as established manufacturing history.

Original Hardware and Remaining Imperfections

The guitar retains its original Jin Ho sealed tuning machines, which were cleaned and polished during restoration. Some discoloration and staining on the rear tuner housings remain visible, but these have not interfered with their operation during testing.

The original bridge and other serviceable hardware were also retained following cleaning, inspection, and polishing.

Although considerable effort was made to improve the guitar's overall appearance, the restoration was not intended to make the instrument cosmetically indistinguishable from a new guitar.

Minor signs of previous use remain and should be expected.

Recommended Use

With its compact dimensions, upgraded electronics, hand-fitted bone nut, and smooth-operating original tuners, this Austin offers a practical alternative to purchasing another basic entry-level instrument.

Its smaller size makes it particularly appealing as a travel guitar for short getaways, a convenient instrument for casual garage or backyard jam sessions, or a dependable second or third guitar for everyday use.

It may also appeal to younger or smaller-framed players who find a full-size electric guitar less comfortable.

For someone moving beyond their first inexpensive guitar but not yet ready to invest in a more costly long-term instrument, this Austin offers several meaningful improvements while remaining within the budget-guitar category.

The existing cosmetic wear also makes it a reasonable choice for informal playing environments where the occasional bump or additional scratch may be less concerning than it would be on a premium instrument.

Our Final Assessment

This Austin is an affordable, restored short-scale electric guitar with several unexpectedly favorable qualities.

Its Korean-made Jin Ho tuners, ceramic single-coil pickups, hand-fitted bone nut, improved electronics, Gilmour switching, and completed setup provide useful features beyond those commonly found on an unmodified budget instrument.

However, the visible cracking around the neck pocket remains an important consideration. Although inspection revealed no visible separation within the exposed laminated wood, the underlying condition cannot be guaranteed without further examination.

The guitar also retains minor cosmetic imperfections and evidence of previous finish work that should be considered part of its overall condition.

For a buyer comfortable with these disclosed imperfections, this Austin represents an opportunity to own an affordable, compact, and thoughtfully refurbished guitar suitable for practice, travel, and informal playing.

At Back From The Dead Guitars, we believe the remaining imperfections deserve the same honest documentation as the improvements made during restoration. Our goal is to help every buyer understand exactly what they are purchasing.

Another guitar given a second chance to make music.