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 the early 1990s, 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, Russ Barenberg, Kathy Mattea, Sting, and many others. But most of the 60 or so guitars Jim is able to build each year go to players of less renown, although of perhaps equally discriminating taste!
IN STOCK: 2004 Olson SJ
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Bubinga Back and Sides
Sitka Spruce Top
BRW Top, Fretboard & Headstock Borders
Rosette of BRW w/Maple Inlay
Fretboard w/#1 Inlay Pattern w/Koa & BRW
"O" Headstock Logo of BRW w/Abalone Border
Brazilian Rosewood Binding, Purfling, & End Wedge
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
Call for Price |
IN STOCK: 2002 Olson SJ - 25th Anniversary Model
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Adirondack Top
Cutaway
BRW Top Border
Koa Bindings & Back Strip
3 Ring BRW & Abalone Rosette
Vine Inlay from 10th thru 16th Fret
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/"O" Logo & MOP outline
25th Anniversary Plate in MOP @ bottom of Fretboard
Gold Satin Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons & "O" Logo
Burgundy Calton Case w/ "O" Logo |
Call for Price |
IN STOCK: 2000 Olson SJ #911
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Adirondack Spruce Soundboard
Cutaway
Herringbone Top Border & Backstrip
Abalone Rosette
Faux Tortoiseshell Binding
Diamond Inlay on Fretboard
BRW Headstock Veneer w/MOP "O" Logo
Gold Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
Call for Price |
IN STOCK: 1998 Olson Parlor
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
German Spruce Top
BRW Bindings
Abalone Rosette
Olson #1 Inlay on Fretboard
Herringbone Top Border & Back Strip
12 Frets to the Body
25.5" scale length
Gold Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
Call for Price |
SOLD: 2011 Olson SJ #1335
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood from 'The Beam" Back & Sides
European Spruce Top
Zebra Wood Custom Rosette
BRW Top Border
BRW Bindings and Back Strip
BRW Headstock Veneer w/Zebrawood "O" Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2004 Olson James Taylor Signature SJ
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James Taylor Model #1122
Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Abalone Top Border
Abalone Rosette
Abalone Back Strip
Abalone Dove Inlay on Fretboard
BRW Bindings
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Abalone
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w "O" Logo/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case
This guitar is in new condition with less than 1 hr of playing time. |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2004 Olson SJ #1109
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
Rosewood Binding
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Olson #1 Fretboard Inlay
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP Olson Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Baggs P/U
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 1998 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Cedar Top
Tortoiseshell Binding
Dove Inlay Pattern on Fretboard
Abalone Top Border, Headstock Border, Rosette, and Back Strip
Baggs P/U
Chrome Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2003 Olson SJ #1054
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
BRW Top Border
BRW/Koa/BRW Rosette
Koa Wood Dove Inlay on Fretboard
Flamed Koa Bindings w/Flamed Koa Backstrip
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Koa
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
Flamed Koa Body Binding
Abalone Dove Fretboard Inlay
Abalone Top Border, Rosette, and Back Strip
BRW "O" Logo w/thin Abalone Border
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Olson SJ #1168
Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
Abalone Top Border
Abalone Rosette
Abalone Back Strip
Abalone Dove Inlay on Fretboard
BRW Bindings
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Abalone
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w "O" Logo/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2002 Olson SJ - 25th Anniversary Model
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
BRW & Abalone 3 Ring Rosette
Abalone Top Border including around bottom of Fretboard,Back Parameter Border, Back Strip & Headstock
Flamed Koa Bindings
Tree of Life Abalone Fretboard Inlay
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/Abalone Vine Inlay & Abalone "O" Logo w/ MOP outline
Back of Headstock has Ebony Veneer w/ 25th Anniversary Plate in MOP
Gold Satin Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons & "O" Logo
Burgundy Calton Case w/ "O" Logo |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2002 Olson SJ #1029
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Adirondack Spruce Top
Cutaway
Abalone Top & Headstock Border
Abalone "Tree of Life" Fretboard Inlay
Flamed Koa Bindings & Back Strip
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/Abalone "O" Logo
Baggs P/U
Chrome Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2002 Olson SJ
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#1005
Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Tortoiseshell Binding
Abalone Top Border, Rosette, and Back Strip
BRW "O" Logo w/thin Abalone Border
Pick-up
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2007 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Adirondack Spruce Top
Dove Fretboard Inlay
Rosewood Binding
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP Olson Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Adirondack Spruce Top
Cutaway
Dove Fretboard Inlay
Rosewood Binding
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP Olson Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
BRW Top Border
BRW/Koa/BRW Rosette
Koa Wood Dove Inlay on Fretboard
Flamed Koa Bindings
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Koa
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Adirondack Spruce Top
Cutaway
Rosewood Binding
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP Olson Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2006 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
Rosewood Binding
3 Ring BRW/Abalone Rosette
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP Olson Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2003 Olson James Taylor Signature SJ
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James Taylor Model # 1072
Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Abalone Top Border
Abalone Rosette
Abalone Back Strip
Abalone Dove Inlay on Fretboard
BRW Bindings
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Abalone
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w "O" Logo/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2000 Olson Parlor Guitar
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Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
Sitka Spruce Top
Abalone Top Border including around Neck
Abalone Rosette and Back Strip
Floral Fretboard Inlay @ 7 thru 13
Bubinga wood binding
Black and White wood top Border
Gold Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
This is the Parlor Guitar that was used in the Olson Magazine Ads. |
SOLD |
SOLD: 1997 Olson SJ
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Mahogany Back & Sides
Sitka Spruce Top
Tortoise-Shell Bindings
Abalone Rosette
Herringbone Top Border
Chrome Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2003 Olson SJ #1088
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Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
BRW Top, Fretboard & Headstock Borders
Rosette of BRW w/Maple Inlay
Fretboard w/#1 Inlay Pattern made with Koa and Maple
"O" Headstock Logo w/Koa Center & Abalone Border
Brazilian Rosewood Binding, Purfling, & End Wedge
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2004 Olson 25th Anniversary SJ
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Abalone Top Border, Back Border, Back Strip, Fingerboard & Headstock Borders
Brazilian Rosewood Bindings
Tree of Life Abalone Fretboard Inlay
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/Abalone Vine Inlay & Abalone "O" Logo w/ MOP outline
Back of Headstock has BRW Veneer that matches Back & Side Wood w/ 25th Anniversary Plate in MOP
Gold Satin Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons & "O" Logo
Burgundy Calton Case w/ "O" Logo
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2007 Olson SJ - Collector Series
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Master Grade Cedar Soundboard
BRW Bindings
BRW/Paua Abalone Rosette
Paua Top Border w/42 Style Fingerboard Extension
Paua Back Strip and Butt Wedge
Olson's #1 Fretboard Inlay Pattern
Ebony Peghead Front & Back w/ Paua "O" Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Baggs P/U
Calton Case w/ "O" Logo
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SOLD |
SOLD: 1996 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
Tortoiseshell Binding
Olson’s #1 Inlay Pattern on Fretboard
Abalone Top Border, Headstock Border, Rosette, and Back Strip
K & K Pure Mini P/U
Chrome Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2003 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Soundboard
Cutaway
Herringbone Top Border
Abalone Rosette & Backstrip
MOP Dove Inlay on Fretboard
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP "O" Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2007 Olson SJ - Collector Series
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Quilted Sepelle Back & Sides
Bearclaw Sitka Soundboard
Snakewood Bindings
Paua Abalone Rosette
Paua Top Border w/42 Style Fingerboard Extension
Paua Back Strip, Back Border & Butt Wedge
Paua Fingerboard & Headstock Border
Paua Full Vine Fretboard Inlay Pattern
Paua Partial Vine Inlay on Headstock & Bridge Wings
Sepelle Peghead F & B w/ Paua/MOP "O" Logo
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Baggs P/U
Calton Case w/ "O" Logo
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SOLD |
SOLD: 2003 Olson SJ
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Brazilian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Top
Cutaway
BRW Top Border
BRW/Koa/BRW Rosette
Koa Wood Dove Inlay on Fretboard
Flamed Koa Bindings
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/ "O" Logo in Koa
Satin Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
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SOLD |
SOLD: 1999 Olson SJ
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Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
Cedar Soundboard
Cutaway
Herringbone Top Border
Abalone Rosette & Backstrip
MOP Dove Inlay on Fretboard
Ebony Headstock Veneer w/MOP "O" Logo
Chrome Schaller Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2001 Olson SJ
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Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
German Spruce Top
Cutaway
Brazilian Rosewood Binding
Olson’s #1 Inlay Pattern on Fretboard
Abalone Top Border, Rosette, Bridge Inlay and Back Strip
Chrome Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons
Calton Case |
SOLD |
SOLD: 2002 Olson SJ
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Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides
Cedar Soundboard
Cutaway
Flamed Koa Body Binding
Abalone Top, Back and Headstock Border w/matching Abalone "O" Logo
Abalone Back Strip
Olson "#1" Inlay Pattern on Fretboard
Inlay on Bridge and Back of Headstock
Ebony Veneers on Front and Back of Headstock
Brazilian Rosewood/Abalone Circle Rosette
Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners w/Ebony Buttons |
SOLD |
