2001 James Olson SJ Cedar and Koa Natural, Near Mint, Original Hard, $15,499.00
Offered here is easily one of the finest acoustic guitars that Capital Guitars has ever had in it's inventory, a 2001 SJ built by James Olson. Artists like Phil Keaggy, James Taylor, Leo Kottke, Graham Nash and Kathy Mattea can play any make of instrument they like, yet they and many, many other top flight artists play guitars built by James Olson. This is a very special guitar indeed.
The Olson SJ, or small jumbo, is a medium-sized instrument. It is just 15" wide at the lower bout and about the same size overall as an OM or 000. It has a 14-fret neck, a 25.35" string scale, a 1.75" nut width and 2.25" string spacing. This guitar sports a Western Red Cedar top. This is a feature found on most Olson guitars and one that along with light weight construction techniques and special bracing, gives Olson guitars their characteristic tone and responsiveness. This back and sides of this particular instrument are made from custom-ordered master-grade Koa, which gives this guitar the crispness and note clarity you typically get with Rosewood, but with the warmth and fat tone of Mahogany. The neck is a five-piece laminated affair, another feature that Olson guitars are known for. The neck has a sleek, low profile shape that is quite easy to navigate.
The sound of this guitar is more than equal to all the hype that I had read about Olson guitars. Just listen to the provided sound sample and I think you will agree. Even my poor playing cannot hide the majestic tone and clarity of this instrument. It plays with ease of a Taylor acoustic and is set up with 12th fret string heights of 5/64" on the low E side and 4/64" on the high E side with plenty of saddle remaining. This is a guitar that is an absolute joy to play and gorgeous to behold.
This one-owner instrument has been adored and played little over the past fifteen years. It appears to have been kept under humidified glass, as I mistook it for a new instrument the first time I picked it up. It is near flawless condition in all respects, frets included. Even the condition of the original tweed case is like that of a new one, as though the case too had been kept in another case.
I am often asked "what is the best acoustic you've played?" Well, to date, this Olson SJ is that guitar. If you are looking to spoil yourself, look no further.....
Capital Guitars
Capital Guitars accepts payment via PayPal, credit cars via PayPal, wire transfer, or via bank check. Guitars ship only after payment clears. See something you wish to purchase? To pay via Paypal, just click the 'Buy Now' button, or send an email to capitalguitars@gmail.com indicating the guitar you wish to purchase, where you live (for calculating the shipping cost and NYS sales tax if applicable) and confirm the email address you use for Paypal. We will send you a Paypal invoice referencing the specific guitar being purchased. Just follow the prompts in the Paypal email to pay for your guitar. Once we receive your cleared payment we will contact you with tracking information and a paid invoice. That is all there is to it! Shipments to locations within the State of New York are subject to imposition of applicable New York Sales taxes. Trade proposals involving quality gear are welcomed! Email me a pic or two of your proposed trade and a brief description of its condition and we will let you know what we can allow you in trade. We also do LAYAWAYS! All layaways require a non-refundable up-front payment equal to 20% of the purchase price. Your deposit holds the guitar for you, with 60 days to pay the balance. Contact us via email for more details.
Shipping to Continental US addresses is via FedEx Ground, with flat rate shipping of $60 to Eastern time zones, $70 Central and $80 Mountain/Pacific. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is $100. A phone number at the shipping destination is required. Other shipping services, including express services and international shipping are available at our discretion, just contact us for a quote.
Refunds of the original purchase price less shipping and a 10% restocking fee may be requested within 48 hours of delivery. Exchanges within one (1) week of the original date of purchase may be made for an item of equal or greater value at the discretion of Capital Guitars. Where permitted herein, items must be promptly returned at the buyer's expense, in the same condition as received with all accessories and paperwork included. Sale items, purchases that are made via layaway, those involving trades and/or international shipping are considered final except upon an error by and at the discretion of Capital Guitars. All deposits are non-returnable. Our apologies, but we are a very small operation and returns are extremely time consuming and costly.