Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging. Jim seemed to sense the struggles we were in and to relate on a personal level. The workmanship was great, but really not any better than most of the high end Martin and Collings guitars.

We had stretched as far as we could financially to make it to the guitar show that year as I was still starting out as a luthier and lets just say it was quite an adventure. Hand Built & Exceptional Sound. . It sounds so good, plays so flawlessly, and is an absolute gem on an instrument. 2006 Olson SJ Standard model guitar, Serial # 585. Gave it a few obligatory strums, then gingerly handed it back to him. An Unofficial forum for those who love Martin instruments - Founded by Steve Stallings. For those of you that know, this is a great As soon as I entered the shop there it was, The Fadal. for a starting price of $13,000+, and I have heard that James Olson may be He began to tell us stories of the struggles that he and his family went through in his early days. owner is a Grammy winning Hawaiian songwriter and instrumentalist.

It is so rare that a person has the skills to make a guitar, tune it, and artistically refine it so well, and on top of that also have the capacity to engineer such wonderful systems to streamline the work in a way that doesn’t detract from the unique handmade element his guitars possess. They do not sound like Martins however, and so not sure how u could compare them. He told me it cost him $4000--and I was afraid to touch it!

Shapers in the background and Jim’s home-made thickness sander in the foreground and jigs everywhere. Might have been a diamond in the rough, but oh my, what a diamond!! I jammed one evening a few years back with a fellow who had an Olson. . There were far too many to mention here in this article. The Olson SJ has only been in my home music Since James Taylor was my inspiration for playing the guitar in the first place, that meant a lot to me personally. great build quality--extremely nice wood work. We seemed to bond that day, as Jim so kindly and generously shared his experiences with us of his tough beginnings, and of the wonderful breakthroughs that came later as a result of his walking by faith and never giving up. Please check the fields highlighted in red. 29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? James Olson Guitars. Olson SJ Acoustic Guitar . Because James Taylor was one of my first inspirations to begin playing the guitar  (long before I even knew anyone could make their own guitar), I couldn’t resist including a video of him playing his Olson guitar to finish off this article, enjoy! You’ll also receive emails with our best content to help build better guitars. He might not be a virtuoso instrumentalist – always using the guitar to accompany his voice — but there’s a … After all a bannana doesnt taste like steak.

Just Enter Your Email Below To Get Started! Each one has a specific operation that it helps him accomplish. This incredible guitar is a gem. I see this guitar as a prime collectible: one that can only appreciate in value with the passage of time.

To the left is the sanding room complete with many sanders (one for each grit) and a downdraft table, as well as the various fixtures and other little contraptions Jim has fashioned over the years to help him work faster and more precisely. This is the pinnacle of a great builder's art. Required fields are marked *. This seller has not set a shipping cost for Turkey. It is extremely even and balanced from highs .

Olson has sold them all, there won't be anymore. Oops, looks like you forgot something. I arrived early in the morning and even as I pulled into the driveway I was already impressed. This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Very nice guitars. Tom is also the author of the guitar making book/DVD set - The Art Of Lutherie - published by Mel Bay, and has written for and been featured in may publications both in print and online as well as several television and film spots. Looks great. Hand Carving An Archtop Guitar: Time-Lapse Video & Photo Timeline. It has that great Olson sound to match! I played one a few years ago. Kerfing Clamps & How To Build Your Best Guitars, Magnetic Mapping For Floating Guitar Pickups, Retractable Casters Installation & Review, The Luthier’s Guide To Tape For Guitar Making, Stewmac Luthiers Vice & Gift Card Giveaway, Hand Split Tone Bars (A simple way to improve your next guitar), Dust Collection – The Ultimate Luthier’s Guide. Ive never had the opportunity to play an Olson, though have seen a couple at open mikes, and hacve seen artists like David Wilcox play theres- though now he travels with a Rainsong. The ultimate machine. It has a 1 13/16" nut width and some nice fretboard inlays. 2006 Olson SJ Standard model guitar, Serial # 585. absolutely perfect, and it has a great setup.

I sat about 10 feet in front of Patty Larkin while she played her Olson at a small Milwaukee show.

This incredible guitar is a gem. Hand built by master luthier James Olson. I'm looking to sell my 2000 James Olson SJ, This one has some beautiful upgrades. It is signed by James Taylor and the builder, James Olson. If you have ever wanted to own an Olson this As always, you really have to find a way to try them yourself to see if you like them. To meet someone so sincere and so humble in spite of his great success was very inspiring and left me feeling the same way I did the first time I met him years ago; wanting to be more like him when I grow up.

I am the second owner of the guitar, the former But Jim’s gentle and humble spirit as he greeted us and throughout the visit seemed to make the Fadal and grandeur of it all a little bit more approachable. Guitar Truss Rods: Which One Is Best For Your Next Guitar? This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, Queen Annes Revenge, loyal sea dog, grog. better than good condition except for some scuff/dirt marks. I agree with one of the posters that it sounded much better for fingerstyle than flatpicking. He can produce in the range of around 50 guitars a year I understand -- when the demand is there. Better hold on to you wallet with both hands - one of these (even used) will leave a huge dent. If you click the little “i” in the upper left it will display info about each photo. Fingerstyle was nice on the cedar-topped jumbo, but not amazing. Jim has made guitars for players such as; Sting, Phil Keggy, Paul McCartney, and many others, and of course — James Taylor. Certainly an impressive sight! He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. His years old Olsen was the most exquisite, articulate acoustic I think I have ever heard.

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Talked to the soundman after, and he said it was pretty much straight up with very little EQ or effects.