Guitars
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2001 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Ah, what sweet delights twenty years offer up. This 2001 Olson SJ is gorgeous from tuner to tail, and has a voice to match—Cedar over Indian Rosewood for the classic James Olson-James Taylor sound. Smooth, bell-like trebles fill out the voice with resplendent overtones that remain clear, rather than muddy. Very well-cared for, this 2001 Olson is looking fantastic for its age, and has a glassy setup to boot. The top is trimmed out with fine herringbone, while the fretboard position markers are actually snowflakes, a detail we don’t see as often on Olsons.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 981SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
1997 Olson SJ Cutaway, East Indian Rosewood/Cedar
We bet this Olson was a powerhouse when new in 1997. Now, some thirty odd years later, it’s even more so—with the added sweetness, power, and breathiness that comes with opening up for a few decades. This is such a wonderful example of Jim’s work from the late 90s. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar on top, plus a florentine cutaway and tortoise-style bindings and herringbone appointments.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 716
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
1992 Olson SJ, Single Owner, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Here we’ve landed an early Jim Olson SJ, this time from 1992! Of course Jim was already at guitar #406 by then. This beauty has been well cared for by its single owner in all that time and is in great playing shape. Indian Rosewood body with Sitka Spruce on top sets it apart from the Rosewood-Cedar Olson sound, and this one has a bit extra oomph and power as a result. It’s still excellent for fingerstyle, but holds up well under a flatpick too. Upgrades include a forentine cutaway, Abalone trim plus Tortoise-style bindings, and Jim’s signature O headstock inlay plus MOP dove fretboard inlays. And the classic L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup to round it all out!
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 406
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.375 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
2010 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 
2016 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 
1998 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 
1995 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 
1992 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 
1999 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 
1996 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 
2010 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 
2017 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 
1999 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 
2010 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 
2015 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