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.

Here’s an exceptionally rare, all black Olson Dreadnought model. James confirmed that he’s only built one or two of these gorgeous black guitars. This one is adorned with custom Abalone inlays including the full name ‘Olson’ on the headstock and a full top border, rosette and backstrip of Abalone as well. This beautifully maintained guitar has a stellar voice, clear and full of that Olson sparkle, but with a big Dread timbre that makes it a rare instrument capable of anything from fingerstyle to flatpicking and strumming. This is a singular and special guitar with a look that’s all it’s own. Includes a Calton Flight Case.

This beautlful Olson sold before it hit the website. Classic Rosewood/Cedar with Doves and serious tone….

This is a wonderful custom made Olson that was ordered with unique woods and appointments that make it very special and boy does it sound good. The body is crafted from Ebony and Engelmann giving it a voice that is both full and warm but also clear and sparkling at the same time. It’s very resonant with big sustain. The custom wood inlay and border on the fingerboard give this one a life all it’s own.

For the 2011 Woodstock Luthier Showcase, John Osthoff decided to pull out all the stops, or carbs in the case of this cannabis inlaid OM. Suited up to impress with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and a Sinker Redwood top, and this dark, moody visual matches perfectly the warmth and richness of the voice. Evo frets for longevity, an easy setup for fingerstyle, and a curvy C profile neck that feels great in hand. Snakewood bindings and a Spalted Maple rosette set off the cannabis inlay package at the bridge and fretboard, and Cosmo Black Gotoh 510 Delta tuners do the same at the headstock.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier invitational, fingerstyle, brazilain, salvage, 420, evo, ameritage

John Osthoff has taken all of the disadvantages of a traditional Jumbo–overbearing dimensions, poorly balanced registers, unresponsiveness to light attack–and melted them away from the guitar before you now, until nothing but a smoothly articulate voice and exceedingly comfortable body remains which responds beautifully to a range of modes, from ballad to Bluegrass. Outfitted with a Manzer Wedge, this is a Jumbo which feels much more like an SJ in your arms; you’d be hard-pressed to call these voluptuous curves anything but comfortable. Thanks to a gorgeous, figured set of Koa for the back and sides, which is paired with a Sitka Spruce top, Osthoff’s Jumbo has a bright, dry tonality that’s superb for fingerpicking and lends itself to the smooth balance across the registers. This guitar might be from 2007, but to look at it you’d swear she was brand-new: there are virtually no signs of play wear (aside from the well-opened up voice). Coupled with an Ameritage hardshell case, it won’t be hard to keep it in pristine condition for many years to come.