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Add to Compare2004 Olson SJ, Koa/Sitka Spruce
Here’s an Olson SJ to set you apart from the crowd–outfitted with Presentation Grade Koa back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood bindings (plus rosette), and Koa/Maple fleur-de-lis position markers all along the fingerboard. We’ve seen so many Rosewood/Cedar Olsons over the years, and we’ve loved every one of them, but it’s great to see a new wood combination from Jim to spice things up with this 2004 build. Accordingly, the voice is quick and punchy, has a bump in the mids that really sings out when you play big chords, and all that while maintaining the sparkle in the trebles that Olsons are all known for. The result is an energetic SJ that manages to play and sound familiar and fresh at the same time.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, james olson, james taylor, stika, 1117, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Koa 
Add to Compare2016 Olson SJ, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
This Olson has an extra helping of articulation and expressiveness that makes it a handsome companion for a wide range of styles. Of course it’s excellent for fingerstyle, but it also holds up well under a flatpick. Great note separation across the registers, with a top end that’s got extra oomph and glassiness. This 2016 Olson SJ Cutaway comes with Jim’s dove inlays along the fingerboard, Indian Rosewood body with Cedar top, and an L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup. Ready for a vibrant, energetic IR/Cedar Olson? It’s only a strum away.
Here’s an additional demo of this beauty: https://youtu.be/XgGGr_Vb_tw.
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, 1521, fingerpicking, james taylor
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
Add to Compare2020 Olson JT Clone SJ Cutaway, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Articulate, glassy, effortless. And a lifetime collector piece–this 2020 Olson James Taylor Clone is the complete package. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, chocolate-dark and moody, with Cedar on top, Abalone trim and dove inlays, florentine cutaway, BRW/Abalone rosette, and gold hardware. A L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup for the classic Olson/James Taylor amplified tone, and acoustically the voice is drop dead gorgeous. Smooth response across the registers, excellent dynamism with a light or aggressive attack, or anything in between. Articulate depths plus bell overtones in the upper registers, what more could you ask for?
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, jim olson, 1619, brazilain, lr baggs, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2001 Olson Custom Presentation SJ, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
This Olson is sure to become the centerpiece of your personal guitar world. A custom Presentation SJ from 2001, this beau comes in brick-red Brazilian Rosewood & Sitka Spruce, with Abalone trim throughout—right on across the fretboard in sprawling vine inlays. Figured Koa bindings, Gotoh 510 tuners with the Olson “O” logo, and a Florentine Cutaway round it out. Oh, and an L.R. Baggs Lyric pickup to boot. Jim spared no expense with this one: the materials are better than the best. We love how he rings in the Abalone around the soundhole with additional layers of Brazilian Rosewood, and the quick-n-easy setup that’s butter to the touch. Jim has built an incredible career of guitars, several thousand to date, but only a handful stand out like this Presentation SJ.
Here’s an additional demo of this beauty when we had this guitar in 2019: https://youtu.be/TPam9UnWPrw.
Other keywords: james olson, jim olson, james taylor, fingerstyle, fingerpicking, brazilain, calton, flight case, phil keaggy, custom guitar, presentation guitar, presentation grade
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.45 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2020 Olson JT Clone, Brazilian Rosewood/Cedar
Slice of heaven. It’s always a pleasure to have an Olson in the shop, but this 2020 JT Clone takes the cake for wide open, sweet mids, and the classic top end sparkle that Jim’s known for. Additionally, being a JT Clone this model has been seriously upgraded with chocolate-dark Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides with Cedar on top, BRW rosette and bindings, extensive Abalone trim and dove inlays along the fingerboard, plus an L.R. Baggs LB6 pickup.
This is more than a collector’s piece. It’s more than a great-sounding guitar. It’s a lifetime instrument.
Other keywords: lutherie, james olson, james taylor, 1618, mainstage, fingerstyle, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2013 Olson JT Signature, Indian Rosewood/Cedar
A chance to own a particularly desirable and collectable Olson! This 2013 James Taylor Signature Series 1 model is one of only 80 such instruments built by Jim, based on Taylor’s personal Olson with dove inlays, Abalone trime and rosette, and here featuring a tight-grained Indian Rosewood body plus Cedar top. Very well cared for, this guitar is very minty and plays like butter. The voice has a great mix of sweetness, power, and definition across the registers. The kind of guitar that makes even wrong notes sound good.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbuilding, james olson, fingerstyle, 1429, signature guitar
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Indian 
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
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!