The Classic Series
Classic shapes. Modern execution.
Five Expressions of the Classic Tradition
The 0‑12 is a compact, 12‑fret guitar inspired by early 19th‑century instruments and reimagined through John’s modern building approach. Despite its small footprint, it delivers a surprisingly full and confident voice — proof that a well‑designed small‑body guitar can carry far more power than its size suggests.
The 00‑12 offers a slightly larger platform while retaining the intimacy and responsiveness of a traditional 12‑fret design. Rooted in historical proportions but built with John’s modern structural approach, it produces a warm, open voice with impressive projection for its size.
The 000‑12 blends the elegance of a 12‑fret body with a wider lower bout, creating a guitar that feels both classic and versatile. Its longer air cavity and bridge placement give it a rich, balanced tone with exceptional sustain — a refined take on a timeless design.
The OM is the most versatile model in the Classic Series, offering a balanced, articulate voice suited to fingerstyle and light to moderate strumming. With its 14‑fret neck and refined proportions, it delivers clarity, responsiveness, and a modern feel while honoring its traditional roots.
The AS (Auditorium Series) is a body shape I introduced more than twenty years ago and have recently revived with updated fixturing and my current building approach. It offers a wide, balanced voice in a comfortable, versatile body, and I look forward to presenting new examples as it returns to the lineup.
The Classic Series
The tradition you know, the craftsmanship you expect
The Classic Series brings together the most beloved body shapes in acoustic guitar history — the 0‑12, 00‑12, 000‑12, OM, and 0000 — and reimagines them through John’s modern structural and aesthetic approach. These instruments retain the comfort, balance, and familiarity of traditional designs while benefiting from the same engineering principles and refined features found in the Artisan Series.
Each guitar begins with a dynamically tested Sitka spruce top, evaluated using sine‑wave excitation to map stiffness along and across the grain. Density, modulus of elasticity, and nodal patterns are measured and fed into John’s custom thickness‑predictor system, allowing each top and back to be voiced with precision before bracing begins. The tops feature John’s double X‑brace system for enhanced responsiveness and structural integrity, while the backs use his adapted radial bracing pattern — an active back design inspired by Trevor Gore’s research and tailored to John’s tonal goals. A composite maple honeycomb bridge patch provides exceptional strength‑to‑weight performance and efficient energy transfer.
Necks are built from laminated mahogany with accents of maple, rosewood, or ebony, and are reinforced with John’s custom titanium truss rod. Stealth truss‑rod access at the headstock, supported by a diamond volute and rear headstock veneer, offers easy adjustability without compromising strength. John’s SSP (Straight String Pull) headstock design improves tuning stability, paired with a fully compensated bone nut and saddle — a system informed by the work of Trevor Gore and the Guild of American Luthiers. The saddle’s 7‑degree back angle enhances downward pressure and maintains intonation even when action adjustments are made.
Standard features include an ebony fingerboard and bridge, Gotoh 510 tuning machines, hardwood bindings and purflings on the top, back, and sides, a back stripe, a traditional rosette, and a wood‑bound headstock with matching rear veneer. Unslotted, individually numbered bridge pins ensure consistent fit and easy tracking.
The Classic Series offers players the comfort and familiarity of traditional body shapes, elevated by John’s modern voicing techniques, structural innovations, and unified aesthetic. These guitars feel instantly recognizable in the hands — yet reveal a clarity, balance, and responsiveness that are distinctly Osthoff
Standard Features
Every guitar I build is unique, but there are certain materials and structural choices I rely on across the Artisan Series. These aren’t “standard” in the sense of ordinary—they’re simply the foundation I trust for consistency, stability, and the kind of modern performance I aim for.
- Ebony fingerboard and bridge — chosen for stability, feel, and long‑term reliability
- Sitka spruce top selected for responsiveness and dynamic range
- Mahogany neck with laminated hardwoods for strength and stiffness
- Custom titanium truss rod paired with my Stealth truss rod cover
- Gotoh 510 tuning machines for smooth, precise tuning
- Hardwood bindings and purflings on top, back, and sides
- Composite Honeycomb bridge patch
- Rear headstock veneer and bound fretboard included on every build
For players who want to tailor an instrument further, I offer a thoughtful range of options and upgrades.
Ordering & Availability
Information on commissioning a new build, current pricing, and where to find guitars that are already available through select dealers.
