Ordering, Buying & Pricing

How to get one?

Available for Sale

John has worked with many Guitar Dealers over the years and most experiencea have been very good. Currently he is working exclusively with Robin at Guitar Gallery in Nashville Tennessee, USA. Hearing positive feedback from customers of hers, she does a great job of showcasing guitars. If you are interested in purchasing one of John’s guitars, rest assured working with Guitar Gallery will be a great experience.

Currently Available

How Much?

Pricing

The base price for Artisan and Classic Series guitars is $7,350. This includes all standard features, with a Sitka spruce soundboard and your choice of mahogany or rosewood back and sides. Artisan and Classic instruments ship in a lightweight CrossRock case when available, or a custom‑fit Ameritage case for non‑standard body sizes.

The base price for the Vintage Series is $5,950 for a Style 18 model with mahogany back and sides. A Style 28 model is $6,450, featuring rosewood back and sides. Both versions include an Adirondack spruce soundboard, period‑inspired appointments, and Waverly open‑back tuners in the spirit of the pre‑war era.

Upgrades in this series are intentionally limited to substituting the back and sides with Madagascar or Brazilian rosewood. Vintage Series guitars are delivered in a period‑correct Gieb‑style case.

‍Standard Features include:  The Artisan Series and the Classic series also come standard with AAA Sitka Spruce or Cedar top, Mahogany or Rosewood back and sides, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, one piece Mahogany neck double sides, a titanium truss rod, John’s Stealth truss rod cover, Gotoh 510 Tuning machines, Hardwood Binding and purfling (top and back), custom rosette, bone nut and saddle. Also a bound headstock, bound fretboard, side purflings

Custom Options

The prices listed below are as accurate as possible at the time they are published. Individual sets of tonewood vary, and highly figured or exceptional pieces may carry an additional cost. As the prices of materials, cases, and tooling change, I may need to adjust certain items. Any changes will be clearly explained and reflected in a final quote, and I will always do my best to honor the pricing listed here.

Tonewood - Tops

II choose tops first for tone, stiffness, and density; appearance comes second. Every soundboard goes through a series of tests, and some of the most visually striking sets are rejected if they don’t meet my tonal standards. The prices listed reflect AAA‑grade wood at minimum. Master‑grade sets, when available, may carry an additional cost. Alternative top materials—such as Port Orford cedar or hardwoods like koa or mahogany—may also be available.

Englemann Spruce                                  $250

Lutz Spruce                                  $250

Bearclaw Sitka Spruce                                  $250

Adirondack (Red) Spruce                                $400+

Sinker Redwood                                  $400

European Spruce                                $400+

German MoonSpruce                                  $550

Select Western Red Cedar                                  $400

Master Grade available                              inquire

Tonewood - Back & Sides

There are many tonewoods suitable for back and sides, with rosewood and mahogany serving as the traditional benchmarks. While these woods do contribute to the overall voice of the guitar, I think of them as the sizzle on the steak—an enhancement to the foundation established by the soundboard. As with tops, I select back and side sets for their tonal qualities first, but I also appreciate the visual character each species brings. Pricing varies widely depending on figure, rarity, and availability; exceptional Brazilian rosewood sets can exceed $2,500, and highly figured sets from the famed “The Tree” mahogany have sold for $10,000 or more.

Prices listed are for high‑quality, standard‑grade back and side sets. Premium figure, rarity, or exceptional provenance may carry an additional cost.  I also have a number of interesting and uncommon back and side sets in the shop—far more than I can list here.

Wenge                                 $250

Walnut                                 $250

Quilted Mahogany                                 $500

Honduran Rosewood                                $500

Koa                                 $750

Cocobolo                                 $750

African Blackwood                               $1500

Brazilian Rosewood                             Market

The Tree” Mahogany                             Market

Custom Features

Players often add personal touches such as slotted headstocks, cutaways, abalone purfling, or Style‑45‑inspired trim. Most upgrades are priced individually so you can choose exactly what you want—upgrade the bridge pins to fossilized walrus ivory, for example, without changing the nut or saddle. When options naturally pair well, I can sometimes offer a package price.

There are many other custom touches available—from small details to full original inlay designs—far more than I can reasonably list on a single page.

Abolone Rosette                              $250

Abolone Top Purfling                              $400

Manzer Style Wedge                              $400

Slotted Headstock/Waverlies                              $500

Ryan Style Bevel                              $750

Style 45 Abalone                            $1500

Custom Inlay                           inquire

Custom Cases

Every guitar includes a high‑quality hardshell case appropriate to the model. If you prefer a different case—Cedarcreek, Hoffee, Calton, or another option—I’m happy to upgrade at current market value.

Have One Built Just for You

Commision

Commissioning an Osthoff guitar is a straightforward and personal process. After selecting the model, you’ll choose the tonewoods and options that best suit your playing style and aesthetic preferences. I’m always happy to make recommendations to help you create a one‑of‑a‑kind instrument that fits your needs. Once the details are finalized, your guitar will enter the build queue based on your position on the list.

Terms

  • Retainer A non‑refundable $1,000 retainer is required to secure your place on the build list and lock in current pricing.*
  • Construction Payment A payment equal to 50% of the final cost is due before construction begins.
  • Final Payment The remaining balance is due prior to delivery.

*If changes to the design are requested later in the build process, the final price may need to be adjusted based on current material and labor costs. Any adjustments will be clearly explained and reflected in the final quote.

Returns

I’m confident you’ll be happy with your guitar, and I will do everything I can to ensure it meets your expectations. If there is something you’re not satisfied with, I’ll work with you to make it right. If you are still not satisfied, you may return the guitar within a 3‑day trial period.

Refunds will include all payments minus:

  • The initial retainer
  • Shipping charges
  • Advertising costs
  • and any work required to make the guitar resalable (for example, removing personalized inlay or performing necessary repairs)

Refunds are issued after the guitar has been resold.