Instruments
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Add to Compare1985 Olson Jumbo, Indian Rosewood/Alaska Sitka Spruce
Now here’s an Olson that stands apart from the crowd! Very well-known for his Small Jumbos, Jim also has built a number of full-size Jumbos, and this gorgeous sunburst number from 1985 proves to us that he’s just as capable with the bigger size. Wide awake and quick! This one features a three-piece Indian Rosewood back, Sitka Spruce top, and some good-looking snowflakes in MOP at the fretboard and bridge wings. The red sunburst is an uncommon feature for an Olson, and we love how it lets the Sitka grain shine through. Being from 1985, this one has some play wear and the fine finish checks appropriate for a guitar of this age, and our repair staff recently went over it for a clean bill of health. Looking for the big centerpiece to your collection? This Olson Jumbo is just the supersized ticket.
Other keywords: james taylor, james olson, fingerstyle, 143
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.813 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2002 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
Opened up and singing like sweet baby James himself, this 2002 Olson SJ Cutaway is dressed up and ready for action. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, classic 5-ply neck and slinky setup, then upgraded with specs to match the James Taylor Signature model with Abalone trim, downward facing MOP doves on the fretboard to contrast the doves flying upwards from the bridge wings. We’ve only seen a few Olsons with these downward-facing doves, and the look is striking. Tone wise, this one has great balance across the registers, and an extra dose of sparkle not only in the trebles, but also the mids and a touch of the bass. Add an LB6 pickup and tweed case, and you’ve got the complete package.
Other keywords: lutherie, jim olson, james olson, fingerstyle, 1021, phil keaggy
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare1990 Olson Dreadnought Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Here’s an Olson that stands out among even Olsons–a 1990 Dreadnought Cutaway with Indian Rosewood body and Sitka Spruce top. The intervening thirty years have seen lots of great music pass between the strings, and the voice is quite lively and wide awake. Quick and energetic, notes like to shoot up and away from the guitar in a way that would makes certain the player can shine through the mix. Herringbone trim and tortoise-style bindings, plus the ubiquitious MOP dove inlays, makes for a classic 90s Olson.
Here’s an additional performance with our own Allen Shadd: https://youtu.be/sYOJNZFcR_8
Check out this additional video featuring Al Petteway: https://youtu.be/o-9qjrwDFd8
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james taylor, james olson, dreadnaught, stika, 258
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2020 Olson JT Clone, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Lean in a bit, cuz this one’s got lots of headroom. And how could it not? It’s a James Taylor Olson Clone from 2020, after all. Heirloom-grade Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (also at the rosette and bindings), Cedar top, Abalone treatment throughout plus doves along the fretboard. A truly gorgeous guitar. Tonally, we’re impressed by how well this responds to a harder attack, given its Cedar top, but as we said this is one Olson that you can really lean into. Strong, glassy, exquisite balance across the strings. Everything we’ve come to expect from an Olson, but this one goes all the way to eleven. Jim’s fit and finish is flawless throughout, and the SJ is finished in high gloss to make these tonewoods leap out at you. Slinky setup too, icing on the cake.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 1612
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare1994 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
The only thing better than an Olson? An Olson SJ that’s been played in and opened up for a few decades. This number from 1994 is just such a guitar—excellent articulation and balance, perfectly clear and engrossing. We love this one for fingerstyle in Open D, but honestly it’s a winner in any tuning. Indian Rosewood body with Sitka Spruce on top, plus tortoise-style bindings and herringbone trim. Setup is gossamer, and in really great shape overall, especially considering it’s almost three decades old! Snag this one before it’s gone, or we decide to keep it for ourselves.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4, 524
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare1994 Olson SJ Cutaway, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
There’s magic, and then there’s magic. This 1994 Olson SJ Cutaway gets it on both ends: first, it’s got Jim Olson’s masterwork hands voicing every element to perfection, and second, it’s got the ineffable qualities of time and music. This Olson has been played extensively for nearly 30 years, and has blossomed oh so sweetly. The voice is immediately lyrical, rich and balanced. There are so many melodies under the strings and along the fretboard. Indian Rosewood body with Cedar on top, florentine cutaway, and Jim’s trademark MOP dove fingerboard inlays. Additionally, this one has been outfitted with a dual pickup system, combining a Fishman rig with a Sunrise soundhole pickup and two output jacks at the tail. Running both at once gives you a faithful sound, and the Sunrise pickup especially helps bring out tap style play.
Hands down, this Olson has handled a ton of good music, and it’s got room for so much more. Our repair staff has recently drop filled and buffed the top so it’s looking great, and they refretted it for effortless playability. Plus, this comes in an older, bombproof Calton case to keep it safe.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, 511, fingerpicking, strap lock
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2018 Olson SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Oh so lovely! And oh so gone. This glass-smooth stick of dynamite sold before we could even list it. Not surprising, considering it’s a 2018 Olson SJ Cutaway with heirloom grade Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar that’s trimmed out for the heavens.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, james taylor, 5-ply, fingerpicking, 25.4
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.375 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2001 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 
Add to Compare1997 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 
Add to Compare1992 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 
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