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1998 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
James Olson hit a great chord early on, and his guitars’ music has only gotten sweeter with time! This 1998 SJ is the classic Olson, Indian Rosewood and Cedar with bird inlays across the board, and with 20 years’ playing its voice has blossomed handsomely.
Excellent string-to-string balance, with a well-tempered bass response that fills out the voice without overpowering it. The trebles are impressively clear, and fingerstyle arrangements especially will bring out that clarity in spades. A slick setup and slim neck profile combine for deliciously easy playability, and the guitar is overall in great shape.
The Olson SJ is an industry standard in the boutique fingerstyle world, and this ’98 beau is no exception.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2002 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Liveliness and balance characterize the tone of this gorgeous 2002 Olson SJ in Rosewood & Cedar. It’s opened up handsomely over the past 15 years and offers a rich, dynamic response under even a delicate touch. There’s a modicum of added warmth to the trebles from the Cedar top, and they’re filled to the brim with colorful overtones that have a blooming effect after the initial attack. Lots of depth to the voice: digging in with a flatpick yields a huge projection that doesn’t easily top out.
The body is trimmed in Abalone, Jim’s dove inlays flying across the fretboard, and the fit-n-finish is so good it almost looks like a new guitar. Tortoloid bindings, 5-ply Mahogany neck, Calton flight case for maximum protection; there’s little room for critique. An excellent fingerstyle guitar in standard, DADGAD, and beyond.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1996 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
You’d think we’d get tired of playing Olsons, we get so many in, but to be completely honest we’ve never yet been bored with one of Jim’s guitars in hand. This SJ is from 1996, the heart of one of our favorite periods for Olsons: here you’ll find a great example of the balanced voice and quick response that define Jim’s tone.
The slim 5-ply neck and slick setup almost make it too easy for the left hand! Indian Rosewood back and sides, Cedar top (an Olson classic), Calton flight case, Baggs LB6 pickup—what more could a guitarist ask for? A bit of extra juice in the trebles, an ounce of extra warmth in the lower mids? Well step right up, this Olson has both.
It’s opened up into a sweet crooner in the past 20 years, and the neck is still in great shape and there’s heaps of meat left on the saddle! Regrets you may have a few, but bringing this guitar won’t be one of them.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.38 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2002 Olson SJ Brazilian/Cedar
If the finish here is satin, then the voice of this Olson is pure velvet. We put this 2002 SJ through every tuning, every genre, every combination of picks and nails we could think of, and each time the voice remained clear, strong, and articulate. The full effect of the classic Olson sound in a Brazilian–Rosewood-and-Cedar package. James Olson has only ever used a satin finish on an extremely small number of his guitars (read: fewer than five to date), further setting this SJ apart from the crowd.
This one’s been babied since birth and has practically no play wear across the body or the neck. In spite of that, the voice is delightfully opened-up and consistent; if played gently the treble overtones swell, if played with gusto the bass revs its engine but doesn’t drown out the other registers. We’re basically looking at fingerstyle perfection with six strings (and oh yeah, an L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup! And a sweet TKL tweed case!). This particular Olson was originally built for none other than DADGAD extraordinaire Pierre Bensusan, and you can see Pierre’s name written on the top if you look inside with an inspection mirror. Hence the satin finish (and maybe we’re projecting, but this Olson does sound stellar in open tunings like DADGAD).
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1997 Olson SJ Indian/Cedar
Every Olson has that trademark clarity and playability which has made Jim such a household name in the fingerstyly guitar world–but not every Olson comes so beautifully opened up as this 1997 SJ (#682) in Indian Rosewood and Cedar. As a result of being formerly owned by a professional musician and recording artist, this Olson has blossomed into a sweet-voiced SJ with incredible warmth and depth in the mid-to-lower ranges, and snappy, articulate trebles on the other end.
You can play this Olson as gentle as a lamb and still get an easy richness, or dig for some crunchy Blues and those bass strings can growl in a throaty roar. The setup is slinky and low for fast and easy playability, and a K&K Pure Mini passive pickup is installed, so this SJ is equally ready for the studio as the stage.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2008 Olson SJ Clone of JT Signature Brazilian/Cedar
This guitar is a clone of the James Taylor Signature Model Special Edition which is no longer available through James Olson‘s shop, complete with all of the same features, including a jaw-dropping set of Brazilian Rosewood. We absolutely adore this Olson SJ, because it has the voice that has made Olson famous: brilliant, rich, simultaneously sensitive and powerful. Truly, this is a world-class instrument in every way. From the double inlaid doves of Mother-of-Pearl surrounding Abalone, to the warm, responsively voiced Cedar top, this is as close to a James Taylor Model as you can get without Taylor’s signature on the heelblock. We’ve been fortunate enough to have played dozens of Olsons as they pass through our shop, and SJ #1256 is easily one of the best of Olson’s best work.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2000 Olson SJ East Indian/Cedar
Another fine Olson to grace our shop! This 2000 SJ further proves that Jim Olson found a lutherie sweet spot in his voicings early on and has steadily built on that impressive foundation since then: the voice is bell-clear and balanced, and the low and fast setup toes the line to a T for both fingerstyle and flatpicks. This single-owner Olson has seen some serious time on stage with its former performing owner, and has opened up handsomely. With a K&K Trinity pickup and mic (plus external preamp), this Indian Rosewood-and-Cedar SJ is a force to be reckoned with both on the familiar stage and the intimate recording booth.
Like to play in DADGAD? So does this Olson! The bass really roared once we dropped our tunings and the trebles remained crisp and present. Moreover, this Olson will travel safely from cab car to music hall, from the airport to the studio, wrapped up in a custom Calton flight case.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.78 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods xx, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare2006 Olson Parlor Brazilian/Red Cedar
We’ve got another jaw-dropper here from legendary luthier James Olson. Jimhappily built this one as a custom order for a good friend of ours, and he clearly enjoyed his work, executing the binding with figured Brazilian Rosewood and Abalone trim. This is a stunning parlor model, something James doesn’t get to build too often, and it’s beautifully appointed, flawlessly executed. The voice is nuanced and dynamic, bringing a powerful and articulate low-end to the mix, perfectly balanced with crystalline trebles and a warm, responsive middle register. The thunderous tone of Olson’s SJs is found here in a compact and infinitely playable package: Brazilian Rosewood and Red Cedar make this a true gem from this Minnesota Master.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2010 Olson SJ Brazilian/Cedar
We are extremely excited to offer you this 2010 Olson SJ today! This masterwork has got all the sweet spots covered: Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Western Red Cedar top, Olson’s trademark 5-piece neck of Mahogany, Maple, and Rosewood. Olson’s bindings are all Brazilian Rosewood—as is the rosette, in a beautiful radial arrangement of grain patterns—and everything’s trimmed with Abalone and wood lines. Olson’s doves demarcate the Ebony fretboard, and rich Brazilian Rosewood adorns both the top and bottom of the headstock. Rosewood bridge: check. Ebony Gotoh 510 tuners: check. Perfect fit and finish: check.
All of those beautiful components, when assembled with Olson’s calibre of Luthierie, yield a guitar which puts all others to shame. To call an SJ a ‘sound cannon’ is almost cliché—but this is an SJ which sets the bar at an almost unreachable level. Each register, from low to high, absolutely sings; it’s like there’s three or four guitars playing at once. The tone is rich, decadent, vibrant. Everything, from note separation to setup, is perfectly balanced. It’s practically perfect.
This guitar comes with an L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.38 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2002 Olson SJ Indian/Cedar
Jim Olson is one of the most successful luthiers the industry has ever seen, and for some very good reasons. Olson guitars are laser precise, from one guitar to the next you know exactly what you are going to get, flawless craftsmanship and superb tone. This is a 2002 SJ in East Indian Rosewood and Cedar. As expected this SJ is beautifully built and finished, but the tone is the real star. Top end shimmer and controlled bass and mid sections make this a perfect fingerstyle instrument, every note is captivating and draws you in further and further. You won’t ever want to put this thing down.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.31 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1992 Olson SJ Indian/Cedar
Here we have a near perfect 1992 Olson SJ in East Indian Rosewood and Red Cedar. If you are looking for a low number (364) Olson in pristine shape and that has a killer voice, look no further, this is your guitar. The voice of this guitar is sweet and warm with a pleasant roundness to the trebles that is hard to find in brand new guitars. Considering this guitar is twenty three years old, it is astounding that it is in such great shape, this really is like getting a new guitar but even better as it has that broken in voice!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.31 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.22 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1996 Olson SJ Brazilian Rosewood/Adirondack (Red) Spruce Belonged to David Wilcox!
Here we have one of the most open and full sounding Olson guitars we have ever had! This is an SJ in Brazilian Rosewood and Adirondack (Red) Spruce with a five-piece rosewood neck. In addition to being made by one of the world’s foremost and most highly respected luthiers, the magic of this guitar’s tone is that has spent a major part of its life in the hands of the stellar songwriter David Wilcox.
If you know of David you know that he can really make a guitar sing, and the fullness and openness of this guitar stand testament to the years of work that he put into it. There is no telling how many loving notes and songs have been played through this instrument, all serving only to enhance and enrich the tone of this incredible Olson. Our own Al Petteway commented that this is the best Olson SJ he has ever played. In fact, Al even used this guitar to record songs on multiple albums. This SJ comes with all the pickups David uses in his touring guitars, all of which combine to produce a huge wall of sound when plugged in. Come try this one out for yourself and see the stuff that legends are made of.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2013 Olson SJ Brazilian/Cedar
There are few Luthiers working today as well known as James Olson, Many famous players have his guitars, Phil Keagy, Leo Kottke and James Taylor just to name a few. This is a 2013 Olson SJ model in Cedar and Brazilian Rosewood. The Olson voice is represented in full force here, it is all sweet tones, big full bass with with round and warm trebles. This one is elegantly appointed and in pristine condition.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2003 Olson SJ – Custom Presentation Brazilian/Adirondack (Red)
Jim Olson has been building some of the finest fingerstyle guitars for decades now, and very few of them have been as fine as this presentation model. Jim spared absolutely no expense on this guitar. Every material used is the best that can be found, from the Red Spruce to the jaw dropping set of 5a Brazilian Rosewood, that’s five A’s ! The woods themselves are pretty enough on their own, but Jim took it one step further by adding Abalone purflings and a truly impressive Abalone tree of life inlay. Bearing all of those things in mind it would be easy to overlook tone, but play it once and the tone of this guitar will haunt you forever. This is Olson tone at its finest, wonderfully clear with great note separation. Jim makes precious few of the presentation model, grab this one up while you can, it’s sure to be a lifetime instrument.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.25 in Nut Width 1.77 in String Spacing 2.2 in Woods Spruce - Adirondack (Red), Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1998 Olson SJ Flamed Koa/Sitka Near Mint Condition
The Olson SJ is a world renowned instrument, known for its dense, sparkly highs, incredible midrange, and that “James Taylor Sound.” Well here we have one that will have you picking your jaw up off the floor: with dynamite Sitka Spruce and absolute Primo Koa, this is an Olson that looks as good as it sounds! When Jim’s incredible voicing meets tonewoods like these, the result is a guitar that you’ll spend half your time playing and the other half staring at in wonder.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.31 in Nut Width 1.69 in String Spacing 2.13 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!