He can build his guitars very quickly.

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.

I thought my OM-18V blew it away in every category, which is the closest thing I have in size to compare it to. Nickel Schaller tuners with Ebony buttons. for a starting price of $13,000+, and I have heard that James Olson may be

He told me it cost him $4000--and I was afraid to touch it!

Jim has made guitars for players such as; Sting, Phil Keggy, Paul McCartney, and many others, and of course — James Taylor. The ultimate machine. Olson SJ Acoustic Guitar . I jammed one evening a few years back with a fellow who had an Olson.

Very nice guitars. Simply put, the guy is a genius. I see this guitar as a prime collectible: one that can only appreciate in value with the passage of time. When the orders come, he builds. It sounds so good, plays so flawlessly, and is an absolute gem on an instrument.

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. James Olson Dreadnaught ... James Taylor’s acoustic guitar style has been instantly recognizable since the early 70s, and has influenced countless singer-songwriters since. This is the pinnacle of a great builder's art. "Now if you'll excuse me, tonight's bad decision isn't going to make itself.". It is extremely even and balanced from highs to lows and is an exceptional recording instrument. He poured his heart out as he walked us through nearly every step of his process, explaining each fixture and specialized station that he had developed in his brilliant workflow.

I agree with one of the posters that it sounded much better for fingerstyle than flatpicking. 2006 Olson SJ Standard model guitar, Serial # 585. taking off all of 2014 so new built guitars could become backlogged. Jim’s setup is every luthier’s dream, the nice piece of land, the beautiful workshop out back within walking distance.

Strumming with a pick was not great at all. I think they are ridiculously over-priced. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, Queen Annes Revenge, loyal sea dog, grog. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging. Not many people have the persistence and diligence to never give up on such a huge undertaking. Jim explained how each step is executed and he demonstrated how the different body molds and other jigs and fixtures worked. Certainly an impressive sight!

I am the second owner of the guitar, the former My journey to visit Jim Olson of Olson Guitars began a long time ago in California at the Healdsburg Guitar festival in 2003 where I had a chance encounter with a master luthier who up until then I only knew as, “the guy who makes guitars for James Taylor”. Required fields are marked *. . It has a 1 13/16" nut width and some nice fretboard inlays. He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

There were far too many to mention here in this article. better than good condition with a few tiny scratches and dings, but nothing He can produce in the range of around 50 guitars a year I understand -- when the demand is there. The Olson SJ has only been in my home music Jim seemed to sense the struggles we were in and to relate on a personal level. They are beautiful guitars and look incredibly crafted. Hand Built & Exceptional Sound. Now, each guitar is hand made by James Olson, costing as high as $15,000. Might have been a diamond in the rough, but oh my, what a diamond!! I arrived early in the morning and even as I pulled into the driveway I was already impressed. This seller has not set a shipping cost for Turkey. Considering the fact that I've never owned an Olson, I go back quite a long time with playing many of them. 2006 Olson SJ Standard model guitar, Serial # 585. Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape. I'd actually rather have a standard Martin than an Olson.

. Not to be negative, but I played a couple of Olson's.

You can view and learn more about his guitars by visiting his website: tbguitars.com, I look forward to getting your new book/dvd in the mail soon. 29 Do you see a man skilled in his 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. Opinions? We swapped guitars for awhile that night, and after playing his Olson for awhile, I found myself preferring my M-38. is your chance. But that's just my subjective opinion. This incredible guitar is a gem. Hand built by master luthier James Olson. Each one has a specific operation that it helps him accomplish. absolutely perfect, and it has a great setup. . 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. If you change your mind, you can unsubscribe anytime.

James Olson started building guitars in his home in the 80s, but took too long to make them to turn a profit. Thanks. 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. He might not be a virtuoso instrumentalist – always using the guitar to accompany his voice — but there’s a … Since James Taylor was my inspiration for playing the guitar in the first place, that meant a lot to me personally. It is in After all a bannana doesnt taste like steak. it wasn't super loud and didn't resonate as much as say one of the authentic D-18's i owned. James Just Enter Your Email Below To Get Started!

Since that fateful day, he has become my friend and one of the few people I look up to. It is extremely even and balanced from highs

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. Talking with Jim, and listening as he explained so many wonderful things to me, seemed to help me as a luthier, an artist, and as a person in general. By viewing the slide show at the top of the page you can see all the photos of my visit to Olson guitars. He began to tell us stories of the struggles that he and his family went through in his early days. The price went up when JT started using one. My journey to visit Jim Olson of Olson Guitars began a long time ago in California at the Healdsburg Guitar festival in 2003 where I had a chance encounter with a master luthier who up until then I only knew as, “the guy who makes guitars for James Taylor”. Talked to the soundman after, and he said it was pretty much straight up with very little EQ or effects. I'm looking to sell my 2000 James Olson SJ, This one has some beautiful upgrades.

This was back in 93-94, when the only guitar I owned was my $125 1974 Gianini. Muddy. room and in a recording studio. If you want a new one, you may want to order soon. owner is a Grammy winning Hawaiian songwriter and instrumentalist. Looks great. Please check the fields highlighted in red. Hand Built & Exceptional Sound. For those of you that know, this is a great Tom Bills has been hand crafting one of a kind custom guitars for the top players and collectors around the world since 1998.

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. Jim shared with me the stories of how he started using the CNC, he had it for an entire year, working long days every day, before he could finally begin to make guitars with it. 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. It’s quite an amazing story. If you have ever wanted to own an Olson this

As a luthier, especially an artsy, one-off kind of luthier like me, Jim’s shop is like going to one of the 7 wonders of the world. It come with the original tweed case, which is in This incredible guitar is a gem. It comes with the original hard case. The adventures and the experiences that unfolded for each unique situation were amazing to hear. The only Olson I ever "played" belonged to my brother-in-law (at the time) who had just received his long-awaited custom order. Gave it a few obligatory strums, then gingerly handed it back to him. I sat about 10 feet in front of Patty Larkin while she played her Olson at a small Milwaukee show. Golden Nehru Jacket Award, Friends of The Gopher Society. It has that great Olson sound to match! They dont have the strong bass of a Martin but why should they, they are an Olson. Hand Carving An Archtop Guitar: Time-Lapse Video & Photo Timeline. So many people hear of Jim’s famous Fadal CNC and have the idea that he can just push a button and a guitar pops out, but I can assure you that it is far from true.

great build quality--extremely nice wood work. After a little catching up and visiting, Jim began the tour. One of my favorite things about being a guitar maker is that I can always find more to learn, which I did for sure with Jim Olson. You’ll also receive emails with our best content to help build better guitars.

This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Olson has sold them all, there won't be anymore. It might have been fitting to have the Darth Vader imperial march music playing in the background, this thing is legendary, at least in my mind. Since James Taylor was my inspiration for playing the guitar in the first place, that meant a lot to me personally.