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PROCESS

When you order a JBH guitar, I will carefully handcraft every part to your specifications. Each instrument is truly 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. All of the metal pieces (truss rod, tuning machines etc) I order direct from the highest quality manufacturers.

APPROACH

I design and build guitars in a variety of styles. Above all, I am motivated by the need to make instruments 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 Northwest model, my standard model, is a popular starting point for many. I have been lucky enough to spend time with several guitar builders of the highest caliber, and a background in fine arts and metal working also informs my process.

MATERIALS

I use lumber 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 including standard and unusual tonewoods: apple, cherry, red cedar, port orford cedar, yellow cedar, ebony, imbuia, madrone, african, honduran and cuban mahogany, maple, myrtle, redwood, east indian, brazilian and madagascar rosewood, italian, korean, german 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!

HOW TO ORDER

To acquire a JBH stringed instrument, begin by contacting 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 $500 down payment will secure your position on my order list. Current wait time is approximately 6-8 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 about what I might build based on the work pictured, but I am always willing to pursue unique projects, so don't hesitate to ask!

Current base prices are: acoustic guitar $4500, electric guitar $1299, bouzouki and mandolin $3250, oud $3000, Raga guitar $5000. All prices include a custom case. Flight cases are available by request for an additional charge, and are required for international shipping.

INSTRUMENTS

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

I build a variety of guitars but I have two standard guitar models. The FS or fingerstyle has a wider, deeper body, warm rich tone and very responsive touch. The NW or northwest is about the size of an OM, and has a full, balanced response. Please contact me for specifications.


ACOUSTIC GUITAR GALLERY
  • NW Model - Applewood
  • NW Model - Redwood
  • FS Model with Cutaway
  • Signature Fir Tree Inlay
  • FS Model with Soundports
  • FS Model - Cedar

SATURN ELECTRIC

Please contact me for specifications.


SATURN ELECTRIC GALLERY
  • Saturn Electric Guitar
  • Saturn Electric Guitar
  • Saturn Electric Guitar
  • Saturn Electric Guitar
  • Saturn Electric Guitar

BOUZOUKI

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.


BOUZOUKI GALLERY
  • Side Hole Bouzouki
  • Cittern
  • Bouzouki with Mosaic Rosette
  • Bowl Back Mandolin
  • Bouzouki
  • Long Scale Bouzouki

OUD

I build short-scale, Turkish-style ouds with either traditional or Pacific northwest-inspired appointments. I also build floating bridge, long-scale arabic style ouds. Please contact me for details.


OUD GALLERY
  • Turkish Oud
  • Turkish Ouds
  • Arabic Oud
  • Arabic Oud - Walnut
  • Oud Rosette

RAGA GUTAR

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.


RAGA GUITAR GALLERY
  • Raga Guitar - Spruce
  • Raga Guitar Cutaway
  • Raga Guitar - Redwood
  • Raga Guitar - Juniper

FEATURED ARTISTS

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.

MEDIA

Video

JBH Thank You For

Video

Raag purvi - Brandon McIntosh - JBH Raga guitar

Soundcloud

Raag Hansadvhani - JBH Raga guitar 3

TESTIMONIALS

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

Contact

JBH Guitars

Josh Humphrey
915 E. 1st Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926

(541) 954-2621

jbhwoodworking@yahoo.com

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All Rights Reserved.