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Add to Compare2010 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce
2010 Olson SJ. Need we say more? A played-in beauty that’s opened up handsomely and ready for more action. Done up gorgeous with additional Abalone trim and rosette at the top. Indian Rosewood body upgraded with an Engelmann Spruce top to set it apart from the usual Cedar Olson crowd. The result is a bit more edge and power that makes the midrange crisp and articulate. Ready to make this one yours? Shout before it’s gone!
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 1308
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2016 Olson JT Clone, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Absolutely gorgeous. Here we’ve landed a 2016 Olson James Taylor Clone—upgraded with premium Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and amber-dark Cedar top. The initial run of the James Taylor signature model was so popular that Jim has built several Clones over the years, and we’re so excited to have managed to get this recent build in.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 1516
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.375 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare1998 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
A powerhouse SJ from the one and only Jim Olson that’s opened up handsomely since 1998—spruced up with a tree of life vine inlay and an effortless setup. Straight-grain Indian Rosewood with Cedar and Jim’s five-play neck; additional Pearl trim to make it pop; and tortoise-style bindings for a bit of a vintage nod. This Olson sounds, frankly, gorgeous. The treble overtones are powerful and articulate in particular, and the voice overall has incredible balance across the registers.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 745
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare1995 Olson Parlor, Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
This is a special treat for all you Olson fans! Jim only ever built about 11 Parlors, and has stated several times that he won’t ever build any more—and this is the only example we know of with both a Brazilian Rosewood body and a florentine cutaway. German Spruce on top, plus the tree of life fretboard plus headplate inlays, further set it apart. This is a powerful, punch-above-its-weight Parlor with a wide, wide open voice and easy playability. 25.4” scale with a 12 fret neck for that sweet spot between power and warmth, and the right amount of round pop to the trebles in true Parlor style. This one’s been played in since 1995, originally owned by Nashville Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Pat Alger to make sure it’s opened up handsomely, and also comes with a dual source Fishman pickup plus Fishman Pocket Box external preamp which sounds gorgeous and accurate right out of the gate.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 582
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - German, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare1992 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Here’s a special throwback for all you Olson fans. This beauty comes to us from 1992 with Indian Rosewood body and a Cedar top, florentine cutaway, and some lovely Abalone dove inlays along the fretboard to match the Abalone top trim and MOP rosette. We love how much this Olson has opened up; it’s got an incredible amount of projection and dynamic range, with good headroom for a flatpick, and also sensitive to a lighter fingerstyle approach as well.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 394
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare1999 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Fresh setup and singing! What better way to experience the joy of an opened up instrument than this 1999 Olson SJ? Cedar over Indian Rosewood with cutaway and upgraded Orpheum position markers, L.R. Baggs Element VTS pickup, and brand new stainless steel frets—this Olson plays like grass-fed butter, with a voice to match. It’s a natural choice for fingerestyle; takes well to strumming as well. As Paul would say, this one’s got gears. And everything comes wrapped up in a custom Calton case for safety on those rare moments you won’t have this Olson in hand.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerpicking
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, Brazilian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce
Oh, we love it when a guitar’s woken up, wide-eyed and singing. This Olson from 1996? Belts it right out. The voice is rich and quick, lively—energetic and velvety at the same time. The mid 90s are some of our favorite Olson SJs, and this one is no exception. There’s just something special about the string energy and overall projection that’s particularly engrossing. And of course, this beauty is upgraded with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Engelmann Spruce on top for added power, plus Abalone appointments for good looks. Weighs in a little over four pounds, and still rocking the same glassy setup from when it rolled off Jim’s bench in ’96. Get it while you can!
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, tweed, 654
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2010 Olson Collector Series #1300, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
To celebrate #1300, Jim Olson pulled off a beautiful feat of lutherie that’s adorned with the inimitable Larry Robinson’s inlay work along the fretboard. “1300” is inlaid at the ninth fret in Black MOP and silver dust, with fine silver vines entwining around it among Paua Abalone leaves and Black Abalone flowers. The body boasts a fabulously figured Brazilian Rosewood back from Jim’s private reserve stash, and a Master Grade Cedar top for the classic Olson sound. BRW bindings, rosette, and heelcap; gold Gotoh 510 tuners; classic Calton flight case in burgundy.
It’s a feat just to have reached 1300 guitars in a lifetime, and this work of art is a proud testament to Jim’s career and passion.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerpicking
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2017 Olson Series 1 James Taylor Clone, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
James Taylor and James Olson are two names which need no introduction. Here we find ourselves with a recent 2017 Clone of the original Series 1 James Taylor signature Olsons which can more than make that introduction. Indian Rosewood back and sides with Cedar on top, of course, with dark blue and green Abalone appointments and MOP dove inlays. No cutaway, weighs just over four pounds, and plays like grass-fed butter. The original Series 1 JT Olsons are obsessively desirable and hard to find, and this Clone gives you all the look, feel, and tone of the originals with the advantage of being right here, right now.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilidng, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar, fingerpicking, paua abalone, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2017 Olson 40th Anniversary SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Sinker Cedar
We’ve seen a number of incredible Olsons over the years, and lately we’ve been lucky to see even more. This one is a particularly juicy gem, the only guitar Jim built in commemoration of his 40th anniversary as a builder! Accordingly, only the highest grade Brazilian Rosewood was used for the back and sides, paired with a golden-brown Sinker Cedar top and 42-style Abalone trim. Flamed Koa bindings pair up with a full vine inlay along the fretboard and headplate, with a Brazilian Rosewood backplate to set off the Gotoh tuners. The classic L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup was installed by Jim at the time of construction, and this fantastic SJ Cutaway has been lovingly cared for these past three years.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilidng, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar, anniversary guitar, fortieth anniversary, fingerpicking, paua abalone, MainStage
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare1999 Olson Parlor, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
This sweet little package was in our hands then out the door in a matter of hours! One of James Olson’s gorgeous Parlor guitars from the 1990s, it’s no surprise that someone snatched it up so quickly. The voice is strong and clear, with great separation of notes and a bell-like cadence. Considering that Olson’s SJs have such a vigorous and powerful voice, it’s not surprising that this 1999 Parlor should also have that kind of strength. The Western Red Cedar provides a rich, warm timbre to the instrument, and Olson picked a tight-grained Indian Rosewood set to complement and round out the sound. This little cannon, as a result, is a powerful and dynamic guitar, with sublime playability and tone. This guitar comes with the original Calton Flight Case.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.31 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2010 Olson SJ Cutaway, Ziricote/Sinker Redwood
One of the more unique Olson guitars we’ve seen! This beautiful SJ from 2010 has striking Ziricote back and sides with a Sinker Redwood top, Rosewood bindings, and Rosewood dove inlays across the fingerboard. An L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup brings you faithfully onto the stage, and the fingerstyle response both amplified and acoustically is superb.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Redwood, Ziricote 
Add to Compare2015 Olson James Taylor Clone, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
James Taylor + James Olson = pure bliss. Check out our latest James Taylor SJ Clone, this time from 2015 with gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar on top (of course!). Abalone dove inlays along thee fretboard, Abalone trim and appointments, and the glassy, smooth-sailing tone that’s made both Jim and James famous. This beauty is a single owner in exquisite condition, hardly more than a fingerprint to be found! And to keep it just as safe n sound, a custom Hoffee flight case.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilidng, james olson, james taylor, quilted mahogany, figured mahogany, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2015 Olson James Taylor Top Tier Clone SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
James Taylor does it right, and so does James Olson. This JT Copy is an absolute powerhouse, orchestra-in-a-box, a room filler. Built in 2015 as a clone of the ultra primo top tier James Taylor Signature Olson with a set of BRW that Jim was planning to keep for himself for a retirement guitar, this Olson plays like organic, grass-fed butter, and soaks up fingerstyle arrangements like a sonic sponge. Abalone appointments (right down to the dove inlays along the fretboard), Florentine cutaway, and of course the L.R. Baggs LB6 undersaddle pickup for the classic James Taylor/James Olson amplified tone. The Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, and Cedar top, were handpicked by Jim for the original owner of this guitar, a personal friend of both ours and Jim’s! And to round it all out, this beauty has been Plek’d to perfection! An easier-playing Olson we challenge you to find.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilidng, james olson, james taylor, red cedar, 5-ply, fingerstyle, bespoke guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian
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!