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2003 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
2003 Olson SJ, crafted with Indian Rosewood and Cedar. Though just barely old enough to celebrate its 21st birthday (at the time of publication), this guitar has been impeccably preserved, showing none of its age. Adorned with stunning Abalone dove inlays, abalone trim, and a beautifully detailed rosette, it embodies Olson’s timeless elegance. True to Olson’s reputation, it features the iconic LB-6 Pickup, making it equally at home in a cherished collection, the recording studio, or ready to captivate on stage.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2000 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
From the year 2000, we have a classic, gorgeously appointed Olson SJ Cutaway. Featuring Indian Rosewood for the back and sides, and Cedar on top, it’s equipped with an LB6 pickup, ready for both stage and studio. Art Nouveau inlays and abalone outlining the top and rosette complete the stunning aesthetics. This guitar has all the elements one expects from Jim Olson, and after 24 years of playing, it’s fully opened up—warm and sweet.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, James Taylor, lR baggs, calton, 941
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2010 Olson SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Pure glass from trebles to bass. The voice mixes up handsomely across the registers, lots of velvet riches from note to note. And this is hardly surprising, coming from a 2010 Olson SJ Cutaway dressed up with extensive vine inlays and Brazilian Rosewood body plus Cedar top. The voice has opened up heaps since 2010; the L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup sounds great to boot. Jim’s guitars are exceptionally collectible, and the added Abalone appointments further set this one apart from the crowd.
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, mainstage, james olson, phil keaggy, fingerstyle, 1336, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1992 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Built in 1992, this Olson SJ has seen lots of music in its almost 30 years, previously owned by Christian powerhouse Israel Houghton, and still plays great today. Indian Rosewood back and sides with Cedar on top, Jim’s classic five-ply Mahogany/Cedar/Rosewood neck, MOP dot inlays in lieu of the more common doves, and a Fishman Matrix Infinity dual source pickup system has been installed to carry you faithfully onto the stage. Our repair staff has recently reglued the bridge and dressed the frets, giving this Olson an effortless setup to keep the good music flowing.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, tkl, 362
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2007 Olson SJ Cutaway Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
We see a litany of “Holy Grail” guitars here at the shop. This 2007 Olson SJ is certainly one of them! Not only is it absolutely gorgeous visually but also sonically. Incredible Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar are the magical ingredients for this shimmery and overtone rich axe! Trimmed out in Koa as well as having more Brazilian Rosewood practically anywhere Jim could manage. It’s no wonder these are so sought after.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, bespoke, calton, LB-6, L.R. Baggs, 1209
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2002 Olson 25th Anniversary SJ Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
It’s safe to say that this 2002 25th Anniversary SJ from Jim Olson, is proof positive that Jim has long hit his stride. Jim pulled out all the stops on this one. Decadent and rich in presentation and timbre. This instrument is mesmerizing in more ways than one. This is the quintessential and superlative of Olson Guitars. Cedar on top, complete with gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood back and sides; These are not just the ingredients for an amazing guitar, but for an amazing Olson.
Other keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, mainstage, James Taylor, fingerstyle, milestone, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2002 Olson Jumbo Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Spruce
Pack a little more oomph in your Olson experience with this 2002 Jumbo! Jim’s so well known for his SJs, but pound for pound we love his fulltilt Jumbos too: you get all the sparkle and balance that are standard to one of Jim’s guitars, but with the added depth and presence that only a bigger box can offer. Indian Rosewood body with Sitka Spruce top, florentine cutaway, and Jim further upgraded this beauty wiht striking Abalone trim for the top and rosette, plus headstock, and inlaid intricate fleur-de-lis style position markers along the fingerboard.
Very well cared for and ready for more action! Snag this big boy Olson before it heads home with another.
Other keywords: james olson, james taylor, flattop, lutherie, luthier, 1027, avs tweed
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.781 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2000 Olson SJ, Striped Mahogany/Sitka Spruce
Here we got a gorgeous example of Jim Olson’s work, with some atypical wood combinations. Mahogany and Sitka Spruce is by no means an unheard of combo, but Jim is mostly known for his Rosewood and Cedar guitars. So this 2000 SJ really stands out from the mix and brings some fresh flavor to the table. A quick voice, snappy and punchy. Playability is classic Olson, very easy on the hands. Slender net profile. Looking for a unique Olson to add a splash to your collection? Ready for the plucking!
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, 923, fingerstyle, james taylor
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Mahogany Add to Compare1995 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Owned by Cheryl Wheeler, no less! This 1995 Olson SJ, dubbed “Olive Oil” by Wheeler, is from one of our favorite periods of Jim’s career. Olsons from the mid 90s just have a special color and openness that is a joy to experience, and this one’s got it in spades. It’s been played in and opened up handsomely (thanks, Cheryl!), is in excellent playing shape with a slender neck and 1 11/16” nut, L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup, and a bombproof Calton flight case with custom Small Dog cover. Cedar top over Indian Rosewood body, non cutaway, and weighs in at about 4.75 pounds.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, fingerpicking
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2000 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
So much tone packed into one guitar. Our 2000 Olson SJ in Indian Rosewood and Cedar has opened up handsomely, and is still in gorgeous shape. Lush bass response pairs nicely with an articulate midrange and trebles that have that elusive blooming quality that makes a note sound fuller and richer a moment after the initial attack. The perfect toolkit for the fingerstylist, and an L.R. Baggs pickup to carry you faithfully onto the amplified stage. DADGAD and beyond, or keep it in standard all day long—the note separation and slinky setup will keep you more than entertained.
Other spellings: olsen, oilson, oson, flingerstyle
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1996 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
This SJ comes to us as a well preserved example of Jim Olson’s handiwork from the 1990s. A build date right in the middle at 1995 puts this beauty at 29 years young today, and it’s still going strong and ready for action. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, and both have been trimmed out with addtional purflings and Abalone for a striking, outstanding aesthetic. You’ll find an intricate series of fleur-de-lis position markers and at the bridge wings extend the pearl motif; ditto for the headplate trim. The end result is a dressed-to-the-nines ’95 Olson SJ.
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, james taylor, fingerstyle, 237
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2011 Olson SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
A sumptuous feast is this 2011 Olson SJ. Chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood, rich Red Cedar top, and aodrned from head to tail with extensive and well-executed Abalone inlays. The fingerboard is replete with a tree of life vine; the headstock and top are trimmed out; and the rosette ties together Brazilian Rosewood with Abalone at its center. This beauty has been well cared for and is in excellent shape. A masterstroke from the man himself, Jim Olson.
Other keywords: james olson, james taylor, 1374, fingerstyle, petteway, brazilain, fingerpicking
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1997 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Mid-to-late 90s Olsons all have an extra expressive quality, and this 1997 SJ Cutaway is no exception. It’s been played in and opened up too, and is wide awake and singing today! Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, micro herringbone trim plus MOP dove inlays. An installed L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system, plus Calton flight case, are added bonuses. Additionally, this 97 Olson has been upfitted with modern Gotoh 510 tuners for added tuning ease. The original Schallers are included in the case.
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, jim olson, james taylor, 701
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.688 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1996 Olson SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack Spruce
Several years back we had the pleasure of having David Wilcox’s personal Olson in the shop–and this 1996 SJ we have in today is just two serial numbers away from that one! Also appointed with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Adirondack Spruce on top. The Brazilian even appears to be a sequential set from David’s. This one, #659, has a quick and crisp voice that’s wide open after almost three decades of music have passed through its fibers.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james taylor, small jumbo, fingerstyle, adriondack, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2004 Olson SJ, Koa/Sitka Spruce
Here’s an Olson SJ to set you apart from the crowd–outfitted with Presentation Grade Koa back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood bindings (plus rosette), and Koa/Maple fleur-de-lis position markers all along the fingerboard. We’ve seen so many Rosewood/Cedar Olsons over the years, and we’ve loved every one of them, but it’s great to see a new wood combination from Jim to spice things up with this 2004 build. Accordingly, the voice is quick and punchy, has a bump in the mids that really sings out when you play big chords, and all that while maintaining the sparkle in the trebles that Olsons are all known for. The result is an energetic SJ that manages to play and sound familiar and fresh at the same time.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, stika, 1117, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Koa
James A. Olson (“Jim”) has been handcrafting acoustic flattop guitars since 1977. His instruments began getting national attention in the mid 1980s, after Phil Keaggy commissioned the first cedar-topped Olson SJ guitar and began playing Olson guitars almost exclusively on his acoustic albums and in concert. In 1989, James Taylor purchased three of Jim’s guitars; through Taylor’s visibility, Olson guitars became known and prized by a wide variety of players around the world. Today an impressive number of well-known players in styles spanning fingerstyle to bluegrass to country to pop are proud Olson owners, including Leo Kottke, David Wilcox, James Taylor, Graham Nash, Sting, and many others. But most of the 40+ or so guitars Jim is able to build each year go to players of less renown (like those of us who contributed to this site, and perhaps like you), although of perhaps equally discriminating taste!