The Osthoff Guitar Series
Four distinct approaches, each shaped by tradition, innovation, and John’s hands‑on craftsmanship.
The Artisan, Custom, Classic, and Vintage Series reflect John’s balance of tradition and innovation. Each line offers a unique approach to tone, structure, and design, giving players a clear path to the instrument that fits their voice
The Artisan Series consists of original Osthoff designs, developed through a thoughtful, modern approach to guitar making
Contemporary body shapes voiced through dynamic testing, double X‑bracing, and active radial backs.
The Custom Series is where your unique vision, is transformed into reality.
Unique body sizes, baritones, cutaways, archtops, basses, and one‑off builds created in collaboration with the player.
The Classic Series thoughtfully re-enginering timeless shapes.
Traditional 12‑ and 14‑fret designs built with John’s modern structural approach and unified aesthetic.
The Vintage Series, pre‑war voices, rebuilt with modern precision.
Close recreations of iconic 1930s instruments, crafted with period‑inspired materials and refined construction
Which Series Fits You?
A short guide to help you find the guitar that matches your voice, your hands, and your musical personality. Each series reflects a different path through my craft — from sculptural one‑offs to refined traditional forms — so you can choose the instrument that feels like home.
The Four Series at a Glance
Essence: Sculptural, expressive, deeply personal
Best For: Players who want a one‑of‑a‑kind instrument where design, materials, and voice come together as functional art.
Why Choose It: Every Artisan build is a conversation — your ideas, my craft, and a shared pursuit of something singular.
Essence: The place for the ideas that don’t fit anywhere else — the odd concepts, the unusual shapes, the “what if” thoughts that need a home.
Best For: Players who have a vision that doesn’t match any standard model, or anyone looking for something truly singular.
Why Choose It: If you can’t find your guitar out in the world, this is where we complete it together.
Essence: Traditional forms, refined execution
Best For: Players who want timeless versatility, balanced response, and a familiar feel elevated by boutique craftsmanship.
Why Choose It: It’s the guitar you already know — only more responsive, more alive, and more thoughtfully built.
Essence: Historically inspired, lightly modernized
Best For: Players who love old‑world tone, dry fundamentals, and the character of early American acoustics.
Why Choose It: Vintage soul with modern stability and playability — the best of both eras.
Design Matters
A guitar is more than its outline. The woods, the lines, the way light moves across a surface — every choice shapes how the instrument feels in your hands and responds to your playing. My design language is intentional, consistent, and rooted in decades of building: clean geometry, quiet details, and materials chosen for both tone and character. If you want to understand how an instrument becomes your instrument, this is where the story begins.