Instruments
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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 
Add to Compare2018 Olson SJ, The Tree Mahogany/Cedar
Jim Olson is at the top of his game, and playing this Tree Olson is like standing on top of a mountain—but much, much warmer. We love just how warm, responsive, and enveloping this 2018 Olson SJ plays. And why be surprised? Highly figured The Tree Mahogany back and sides with a pale Cedar top—of course it’s going to sing like a blazing fire. Individual note definition comes with a whole host of rich, velvety overtones. Built only yesterday in 2018, this Olson is basically new, plays like a dream, and boasts intricate floral and thorn inlays along the fretboard from the inimitable Larry Robinson. An honest-to-god collector’s passion.
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, Mahogany - The Tree 
Add to Compare2019 Olson Collector Series, The Tree Mahogany/Italian Spruce
To celebrate his 1600th guitar, James Olson pulled out all the stops. This SJ comes bedecked with shockingly beautiful Blue Paua Abalone, The Tree Mahogany back and sides, and an Italian Spruce top from the Fiemme Valley. Larry Robinson executed an impressive inlay scheme along the fretboard to celebrate this milestone guitar. Honestly, one builder reaching 1600 guitars? Simply incredible. This one came in, and went right back out the door before we could even list it.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Italian, Mahogany - The Tree 
Add to Compare2018 Olson SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
As new as it gets, without standing at the front of the line! We’ve landed a like new 2018 Olson SJ Cutaway in Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar that’s simply incredible. Abalone appointments, Abalone dove inlays, and an exquisitely effortless playability all combine for maximum resonance. Jim’s guitars speak completely for themselves, and this 2018 SJ is no exception: clarity, dynamism, and playability are the name of the game.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2011 Olson SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar, Brazilian Rosewood Neck
A piece quite unlike anything we’ve seen from Jim Olson: a Brazilian Rosewood neck SJ Cutaway with extensive and exquisite Abalone inlays from tuners to tail. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides paired with Cedar make for Jim and James Taylor’s hallmark sound, and we have an L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup installed to carry that tone straight from the studio to the stage.
This 2011 Olson is one of the most impressive guitars we’ve ever seen come out of Jim’s shop, and it’s not just the woods (although woah, these woods are absurdly beautiful, and we’ve only ever seen a Brazilian Rosewood neck once before, on the McConnell Jordan built for Paul)—the voice is crisp to a “C,” with flawless intonation along the fretboard and balanced from bass to treble. A perfect fingerstyle guitar with family heirloom appointments.Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, BRW, brazilian neck, calton, bespoke, one of a kind
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare1984 Olson Dreadnought, Indian Rosewood/Spruce
Here’s an Olson that stands apart from the crowd: an Olson Dreadnought from all the way back in 1984. Indian Rosewood and Spruce, Jim’s hallmark 5-ply neck, and the same easy playability you’ll find on his more common SJs. The voice is very even and balanced across the registers, and loved it when we dug in for a more aggressive response. Being nearly four decades old, this Olson has its fair share of play wear and finish checks, but we’ve gone over it toe to tip to make sure everything is ready to roll—this one’s got a clean bill of health. Additionally, there’s a Fishman Matrix Infinity pickup installed that’s killer; ready for the stage today, the recording studio tomorrow.
Other keywords: james olson, olson guitars, james taylor, allen Shadd, flatpicking, bluegrass, flatpick, herringbone, 28-style, schaller
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.3125 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Indian