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Add to Compare2011 Osthoff Woodstock OM, Brazilian Rosewood/Sinker Redwood
For the 2011 Woodstock Luthier Showcase, John Osthoff decided to pull out all the stops, or carbs in the case of this cannabis inlaid OM. Suited up to impress with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a Sinker Redwood top, and this dark, moody visual matches perfectly the warmth and richness of the voice. Evo frets for longevity, an easy setup for fingerstyle, and a curvy C profile neck that feels great in hand. Snakewood bindings and a Spalted Maple rosette set off the cannabis inlay package at the bridge and fretboard, and Cosmo Black Gotoh 510 Delta tuners do the same at the headstock.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier invitational, fingerstyle, brazilain, salvage, 420, evo, ameritage
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.375 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.625 in Woods Redwood - Sinker, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2007 Osthoff JS Koa/Sitka
John Osthoff has taken all of the disadvantages of a traditional Jumbo–overbearing dimensions, poorly balanced registers, unresponsiveness to light attack–and melted them away from the guitar before you now, until nothing but a smoothly articulate voice and exceedingly comfortable body remains which responds beautifully to a range of modes, from ballad to Bluegrass. Outfitted with a Manzer Wedge, this is a Jumbo which feels much more like an SJ in your arms; you’d be hard-pressed to call these voluptuous curves anything but comfortable. Thanks to a gorgeous, figured set of Koa for the back and sides, which is paired with a Sitka Spruce top, Osthoff’s Jumbo has a bright, dry tonality that’s superb for fingerpicking and lends itself to the smooth balance across the registers. This guitar might be from 2007, but to look at it you’d swear she was brand-new: there are virtually no signs of play wear (aside from the well-opened up voice). Coupled with an Ameritage hardshell case, it won’t be hard to keep it in pristine condition for many years to come.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.31 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Koa 
Add to CompareNew Osthoff Woodstock FS Higuerilla/Cedar
Fresh from the 2015 Woodstock Invitational Guitar Showcase, we’ve got John Osthoff’s newest creation just itching to be played. Dubbed his Woodstock FS, this model features a Port Orford Cedar top and Higuerilla back and sides to create a voice with an even blend of big, warm projection and clean, balanced tones across the registers. Thanks to Osthoff’s lightweight build, the Woodstock FS has superb projection and the sort of sweet sustain that fingerstylists look for: open and passing chords ring very full and crisp, and Drop D lets the Port Orford Cedar’s warmth overflow.John’s eye-catching aesthetics help round out the image of this beautiful instrument. Featuring Sapwood bindings across the headstock, Ebony fretboard, and body and Osthoff’s handmade Japanese Maple Leaf inlay, you’ll want to play this one in a room with a mirror. Be careful with the Canary and Rosewood spiraling rosette, though–it’s easy to become hypnotized–or is that the sweet, rich tone?With deep, comprehensive articulation for fingerstylists and excellent construction for projection, this Woodstock FS from John Osthoff is ready to get down to business.
Add to CompareNew Osthoff GP Mahogany/Italian
This Osthoff GP was hand chosen by us at the Woodstock guitar show, it was special right when we picked it up then, even in that loud environment. When we finally got it back here to the shop the first thing that was said when we all played it was “Wow.” This Osthoff is a full stop, jaw dropping, double taking kind of guitar, and that doesn’t do it justice. The tone is like hot mulled cider with a little honey and whiskey thrown in. There is no string on this guitar that doesn’t sing sweetly and have individual character. There really is only one way to fully understand how incredible this guitar is, and that is to come in and experience it in person. John kept the appointments simple on this one, old Mahogany and a perfect set of Italian Spruce, it is clean and elegant lines here. We are glad he chose not to fancy this one up to much, the tone of the guitar is the all out star, come in and hear this thing before someone buys it, The DG crew are already eyeing it pretty heavily for themselves!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Mahogany 
Add to Compare2007 Osthoff 000-12C African Blackwood/Italian
Sustain is the first thing you might notice when you strum a chord on this wonderful Osthoff 000-12C guitar; the warm, clear tone seems to last forever. Maybe the culprit is the rare African Blackwood back and sides, or the Italian Spruce top. Both are premiere tonewoods coveted by builder and player alike. John Osthoff also voices this beautiful small-body guitar to be open and alive. It’s extremely comfortable to hold, the 12 fret neck reduces the reach of the left hand, but the cutaway insures full access to 15 frets. A sweetheart for sure.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Blackwood - African 
Add to CompareNew Osthoff 000-12C African Blackwood/Italian
John Ostoff builds his fine acoustic guitars in Becket, MA. His passion and commitment to perfection are clearly evident in this African Blackwood and Italian Spruce 000-12C. This is an expressive, beautiful instrument, with a superb feel. It also features a side soundport, Brazilian Fingerboard and Bridge and stunning flamed Koa Bindings from head to toe. If you’ve never played one of John Osthoff’s guitars, now is a good time to try. These don’t come up on the open market very often, and this is a great opportunity to get a barely used instrument without the wait.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 24.75 in Nut Width 1.72 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Blackwood - African 
John has been involved in the “music industry” for close to 30 years. Starting in high-school bands and continuing in a variety of “working” bands, John has shared the stage with some very talented musicians. In addition he has provided stage and sound support for some well know touring acts including, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters, The Marshall Tucker Band, Jon Pousette-Dart, Jonathan Edwards, John Hall, Jess Klein, Bill Morrissey, and Bill Staines.
John started to dream about building guitars as a teenager but wouldn’t have the resources to start lutherie until much later in life. He says, “I actually had the parts on order for a bass guitar in 1980, but the store I placed the order with went out of business. My road to guitar building isn’t a complicated one, but it did take many turns before I actually installed my first fret into a fingerboard.”
As a young man, John spent about 5 years working as a toolmaker. He says, “That part of my life gave me experience in tools, jigs and fixtures, that transferred to lutherie quite well.” After toolmaking, John spent a good number of years as an electronics technician and a brief stint as a software engineer prior to becoming a school teacher. “Teaching is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, but the schedule allows me to become more involved in lutherie. During school breaks, I am able to visit and study with some really great people.”