Osthoff OM-The Tree for Woodstock

[John Osthoff]

I just got the tree OM strung up yesterday. It is still tuned a full step down and the set-up is really rough. I strummed a couple of chords on it, and so far it sounds good. It will be interesting to see how the tone progresses over the next week or so. I am going to let set over the weekend and hopefully on Monday bring it up to pitch and do the initial set-up.

I snapped a couple of quickie photos, (excuse all the dust please)



Yup, there is a very light sunburst on the back and sides.

[Richard Mott]

John, do you ordinarily phase in the full string tension over several days? Beautiful instrument by the way!

[John Osthoff]

Originally Posted by Richard Mott

John, do you ordinarily phase in the full string tension over several days? Beautiful instrument by the way!

Thanks Richard, Yes I do tend to phase in the tension. How quickly I do this varies on how fast I need to get the guitar ready but usually one day a full step down, bring it up to tension the next day and then do a rough (closer) set-up. When I have more time I give it more time (although probably not needed.)

[John Osthoff]

Here are a couple more shots:

I used some cut-offs of the tree for the headplate and stealth truss rod cover.




The back has a rosewood overlay with a little burst on the satin finished neck shaft

[mikealpine]

Looks beautiful, looking forward to seeing this in Woodstock!

[nootis]

Beautiful guitar John!

I really enjoyed playing your 45 style "twins" at B.I.G. This one looks just as tasty. If I only we could own them all!

- Dan

[j. Kinnaird]

beautiful work John...I love it.

[John Osthoff]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Looks beautiful, looking forward to seeing this in Woodstock!

Thanks Mike, I look forward to seeing you too at Woodstock. Take this one for a spin if you have the time.

Originally Posted by nootis

Beautiful guitar John!

I really enjoyed playing your 45 style "twins" at B.I.G. This one looks just as tasty. If I only we could own them all!

- Dan

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

beautiful work John...I love it.

Thanks Dan and John,

Here are a couple more shots.

Please forgive all the dust. I do plan to take some glam shots at bit later.



On the rosette, there is certainly a nod to tradition with the 3-ring motif but used a little more shinny stuff.

[John Osthoff]

Here is one more shot that (I think) better represents the color of the mahogany, as it is a little less red than the previous picture. It is hard to get the color balance just right even though I set the color balance temperature to match the lights.

[soma5]

Compensated nut? I didn't notice that on your guitars at BIG but I might not have been looking at the nut...

[Haasome]

Beautiful and classy John!

[John Osthoff]

Originally Posted by soma5

Compensated nut? I didn't notice that on your guitars at BIG but I might not have been looking at the nut...

Hi Al,

Yeah they all had the compensated nut, even the archtop. If you notice my bridge, the saddle does not angle like most other guitars. The saddle is wide enough to work with the compensated nut and set-up the intonation.

By the way, it was good to meet and talk with you at BIG, make sure you come by when you are at Woodstock.

Originally Posted by Haasome

Beautiful and classy John!

Thanks Paul

[Steve Kinnaird]

John, this guitar is just sunning. But really, you could use some more pearl.
Next time, don’t be so parsimonious.

It was great visiting with you at BIG!

Steve

[soma5]

Hi John, interesting about the overall compensation technique. I have a very good guitar that needed to have the nut compensated, even with a tilted saddle compensated in the usual way. I had a very good guitar tech at that time who has since moved away.

I’ll definitely stop by at Woodstock. It will be good to see you again.

[SprintBob]

John,

It was great to meet you at BIG. While I am not an archtop player, I really enjoyed looking and listening to the acoustic archtop you brought. This guitar looks just scrumptious. I’m sure it will sound beautiful. Is it sold to a client?