How to Identify Old Olson Guitars
Leo Kottke, Patty Larkin, Kathy Mattea, Lou Reed and James Taylor all own one. So do David Crosby, Sting and David Wilcox. All of these musicians own Olson guitars. James A. Olson of Circle Pines, Minnesota, has been making handmade guitars since 1977. For a few of those years, Olson had an apprentice or assistant, but more recently he has worked solo, turning out at least a dozen guitars each year. Olson guitars are easy to identify and date by using a few clues from the guitar and information from the company website.
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Instructions
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1
Examine the interior of the guitar for a paper label. Look through the soundhole to see if a paper label has been attached to the wood back of the guitar. If there is a paper label present, the guitar is one of the first 250 made by Olson. The label should have a signature and a number. It may be necessary to use a magnifying glass to read the number.
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2
Look through the soundhole again, up toward the neck block. At the base of the neck, still inside the guitar, read the number and date inscribed by laser from the wood block. All Olson guitars made after the first 250 have this marking.
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3
Take the mirror and place it so that the interior front is visible. Each Olson guitar is signed and dated on this guitar part before it is constructed. This information should agree with the information discovered in Step 2.
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4
Examine the guitar and write down any particular features, including the types of wood used or the type of inlay done on the guitar body or neck. Inlay patterns, including shapes, designs and any monogram, are important identifiers. If the wood type is unknown, note the stain color, such as light or dark red, blonde or nearly black. Digital images of the inlay will assist in quickly identifying the guitar.
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5
Log on to the company website to explore the Players' Gallery (see Resources). Since Olson has made less than 1,500 instruments, the guitar may have belonged to one of the more famous players in the gallery.
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Email the Olson Company through its website (www.olsonguitars.com, see Resources). Note the information that was found in Steps 1 through 4 and provide a digital image, if possible. The company maintains records regarding the manufacture of each guitar, including the person purchasing the guitar, the date and the specifications made for construction. Since the company is a two-person operation, allow adequate time, several weeks, before calling.
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Telephone and leave contact information for a representative to return the call, if the company has not returned the email. The Olson Guitar company may be reached at (763) 780-5301.
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Tips & Warnings
An Olson custom guitar currently costs from $12,500 and takes nearly a year to build. Its quality will be immediately apparent. It should feel heavy and the finish should be fine, typically with elaborate inlay and exotic woods. Both the 6- and 12-string models are made in the Jumbo, Dreadnought, SJ (Small Jumbo) and Parlor (with 12-frets) models, with the SJ marking the most sales. Check the company website for the exact dimensions for each model including depth, length of the body, tail block depth, and width at the bout and waist of the guitar.
