J.W. Bosworth Custom Guitars

About Us

And so it began...

On a warm summer morning in 1964, my parents packed me, my two brothers, a cousin, my Grandma and Grandpa and assorted baggage into a shiny new "9" passenger Mercury wood-side station wagon (the "family truckster"). Hitched behind was a popup camping trailer with a big hand-painted cardboard sign taped on the back, "California or Bust!" For the next month, we toured the USA. Have you ever seen National Lampoon's movie "Vacation"? If so, you get the idea...

In a stroke of genius, my grandfather, a former swing band leader from the 40's and 50's, and a musician extraordinaire, gave us young and restless boys a cheap little soprano ukulele with a felt pick and an old chord book to keep us occupied on the long days traveling, cooped up in a crowded car. During the trip, passing the little instrument around, we all learned to play it pretty well. But I'll bet the first week's attempts to make that little box sing were agony for the adults. How many more times could they listen to a ukulele version of The Beach Boy's "Little Deuce Coupe"?

So it was that I began my fascination for the stringed instrument. From that little ukulele (and the coming of the Beatle's), I and my brothers began to learn the guitar. Next came forming and playing in a garage rock band in the later 60's, but then some long sabbaticals away from playing. However, I never lost my love for ukuleles and guitars.

In 1969, while serving in the Navy during the Vietnam war, I had the good fortune to be assigned to a frigate homeported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i. Over the next 3 years, I learned all I could about the Hawai'ian culture, the people of the islands and their music, mostly played to the accompaniment of a ukulele.

On top of all this, I was taught woodworking and carpentry by my father and his father. I've gradually accumulated an incredible array of tools, some decent woodworking skills, and a comfortable workshop here on the farm to house all those tools and projects (more or less).

My career has revolved around computers and software, and I served 28 years in the Navy and Navy Reserves (retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer), but my artistic spirit has been struggling to get out. So in 2007, I formed J. W. Bosworth Custom Guitars and have begun learning more about building guitars and ukuleles from scratch. I've owned many fine instruments over the years: Martin, Epiphone/Gibson, Seagull, Fender, Suzuki 3S, Washburn, etc. and have learned what is really good quality in a musical instrument and examined them to see why. I personally own a Kala KA-FMT spalted flame maple tenor uke with a spruce top and a Kala KA-8 eight string mahogany tenor uke. My favorite guitar is my Seagull Artist Mosaic. I also play an Epiphone Dot archtop electric through a Peavey Transitube 112 EFX amp.

After thirty some years serving the corporate world and the Navy, I now have the luxury of pursuing my goal of building some of the finest instruments you can own. I teach computer programming courses at the University of Cincinnati as an adjunct professor - part-time. So taking the time to patiently build an instrument right is not an issue - as long as it isn't an issue for you. I'm officially classified a Vietnam Era Veteran business. Vietnam vets are considered a minority, but I don't think we are. I'm very active in Vietnam Veteran's of America (1st VP of local chapter) and support all our troops and veterans (if you're a veteran or on active duty, ask for special military pricing).

September, 2007: I've established a relationship with Kala Ukulele Brand to provide fine quality ukuleles to my customers without having to wait for my custom built ukes. Kala is excellent quality at a reasonable price. Please don't buy a 'cheap' ukulele! Trust me, if you buy good quality you're more likely to stick with the instrument, learn it, and fill your life with joy. If you buy 'cheap', the old adage "you get what you pay for" will become incredibly evident. Frankly, a cheap instrument is hard to play and won't satisfy your ear. Invest in your happiness...

Jeff Bosworth
Owner, Luthier