When you order a JBH guitar, I will handcraft every part to your specifications. Each instrument is a one-of-a-kind work of art designed to your exact needs. Every wooden piece, down to the smallest binding & purfling, is handcrafted by me in my shop. Dual action micro-adjustable truss rods are handmade by Blanchard guitars. Tuning machines and strings are ordered direct from the highest quality manufacturers.
I have been designing and building guitars since 2006. Above all, I think of guitars as tools capable of creating incredible music. From completely original designs to historical copies, my work is inspired by the work of great luthiers before me. The FS model is my latest design, an OM-inspired model. I also have two dreadnaught models, a No. 2 size and a few others. I have been lucky enough to call Robert Ruck a a mentor, and spent as much time with him and several other guitar builders of the highest caliber during my early years.
I use tonewood from a variety of sources, thoroughly dried and acclimated to my shop for many years before being crafted into an instrument. I have a comprehensive selection of standard and unusual tonewoods: african, honduran and cuban mahogany, east indian, brazilian and madagascar rosewood, koa, mango, apple, red cedar, port orford cedar, yellow cedar, ebony, imbuia, madrone, maple, myrtle, redwood, italian, korean, european and sitka spruces, black and claro walnut, and yew, to name a few. If you are curious, just ask what else I might have available!
To acquire a JBH stringed instrument, contact me at (541) 954-2621 or jbhwoodworking@yahoo.com to discuss any details about your order. Once you are satisfied with the specifics of your instrument, a $1000 down payment will secure your position on my order list. Current wait time is approximately 9-12 months to completion.
I am accepting orders for the models you see on this site, as well as custom and hybrid instruments. You can get an idea for what I build based on the work pictured. I am always willing to pursue unique projects, so don't hesitate to ask!
Current base prices are: acoustic guitar $6500, Saturn electric guitar $2500, bouzouki and mandolin $4000, oud $3500, Raga guitar $7000. All prices include a custom case. Flight cases are available by request for an additional charge, and are required for international shipping.
The FS model has a wider, deeper body, warm rich tone and very responsive touch. The NW is slightly slimmer and has a more focused sound. The D1 is like to a Martin dreadnaught with a tighter waist, while the D2 is larger and more rounded. The S2 is based on the Martin Size 2 model. Please contact me for specifications.
Currently offering the SC (single cutaway) and the SC2, the DC (double cutaway), and a Tele-style model. Pickup layouts, bridges and scale lengths are all customizable. Featuring Lollar pickups. Please contact me for specifications.
I build flat-top and archtop instruments. I call the longer scale, bigger bodied instruments 'irish bouzouki' and the short scale 'octave mandolin'. Strings and tunings can be customized to your preference. Please contact me for details.
I build short-scale, Turkish-style ouds with either traditional or Pacific northwest-inspired appointments. Please contact me for details.
The raga guitar is specifically designed for Hindustani-style music on guitar. It features a full set of sympathetic strings and chikari strings as an option. Please contact me for details.
Roger Fisher owns two custom built JBH instruments. He is an American guitarist primarily known as one of the founding members of the band Heart. His tenure lasted from 1967 until 1980. In 2013 Fisher was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Heart.
Eric Ederer designed and commissioned the nautilauta in 2011 from JBH guitars. The instrument features a body design based on the nautilus shell, and has frets to accommodate Turkish, Arabic, Persian, and Just intonation.
Photo courtesey of Daniel Cossu
Award winning Segovia-trained guitarist/composer Andre Feriante owns a custom JBH flat-back oud. He is currently developing a show based on the history of the guitar, and featuring almost a dozen stringed instruments from around the globe.
Norway native, Espen Wensaas is a powerful force in the burgeoning Nordic music scene. Espen Wensaas tours, records and performs regularly using two JBH instruments. Pictured above is his custom Nordic Cittern, completed in 2016.
I had my guitar there last night, and it sounded like a million bucks- for the rest of the night after my set people were coming up and asking me about the guitar. The more I play it, the better it sounds. Thanks for building it, for putting so much of yourself into it. It's a keeper, for sure.– Joe Green
Just wanted to let you know, I have connected really well with the flat back Oud you made me. You did a remarkable job, and there have been no problems. Thanks again for going the extra mile, having this instrument with the custom features has changed my life. No kidding!– Chris Henke
