We have put together photos representing some of the “special” guitars leaving Jim’s shop. Most of these are highly “custom” guitars featuring prized woods and special inlays. All photos by Jim Olson
Zac Brown’s “Spider” guitar. Serial # 1677
A very special Brazilian Rosewood cut-away with an LS ( lucky strike ) Redwood top with 42 style Paua top treatment. Wide Paua and radial cut Brazilian rosette. Curly Koa binding and end wedge, as well as a one of a kind neck, using curly Koa for the outer neck laminates. Zac worked with inlay artist Larry Robinson to design the Alaskan Inuit Eskimo art inlays.
SJ non cut-away #1670
Tree Mahogany back and sides Moon Spruce European top Brazilian Wide Paua rosette Paua shell top edge with 42 style treatment Paua back center strip and end wedge borders Ebony fingerboard with Paua shell edging Vine piece inlay on fingerboard and ebony bridge Ebony head front veneer with partial vine inlay Tree head back veneer with ebony binding
Tree Mahogany with a Cedar top
Another highly figured Mahogany from the infamous “Tree. Western red Cedar top. Paua top edge with Paua 42 style fingerboard treatment. Paua back center strip and end wedge borders. Brazilian Rosewood and “wide” Paua rosette. Paua fingerboard and headstock perimeter edging.
Full vine inlay on fingerboard with Paua infilled “O” on ebony headstock. Brazilian Rosewood peghead back veneer with WBW purfling and ebony edging. All inlay and every aspect of construction performed by Jim.
1600th Guitar
“Tree” Mahogany with a European Spruce top. Made special to commemorate Jim’s 1600th guitar. Larry Robinson did the exquisite 1600th inlay on the fingerboard.
#1593 John Mayer Guitar
#1593 was built as a “spec” guitar and purchased by John Mayer soon after. It features Brazilian Rosewood with Koa binding. All inlay and construction performed solely by Jim Olson
#1617 Brazilian / Sinker Redwood
A very usually figured piece of Brazilian with a hint of sapwood. #1617 also has a sinker redwood top. Brazilian and Paua shell rosette. Brazilian binding and end wedge. Paua shell top edge, back center strip, and end wedge borders. Ebony fingerboard with WBW purfling Paua infilled Doves on fingerboard. Ebony peghead front with Paua infilled “O” logo. Ebony peghead back veneer with ebony binding and WBW purfling. Satin Gold tuners with ebony buttons and “O” logo.
#1614 Brazilian Rosewood SJ / Cedar top
SJ body size. Curly Brazilian Rosewood with a Cedar top. Brazilian and wide Paua shell rosette. Paua shell top edge, back center strip, and end wedge borders. Brazilian fingerboard with Paua edging and Paua infilled Doves. Brazilian peghead front with Paua edging and Paua infilled “O” logo. Brazilian peghead back veneer with ebony binding and WBW purfling. Gold Gotoh 510 tuners with ebony buttons and “O” logo. Gold EVO fret wire.
#1598 SJ Brazilian Rosewood / Cedar top
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a Cedar top. Paua top edge, and end wedge borders. Radial cut Brazilian Rosewood and wide Paua rosette. Ebony fingerboard with Larry Robinson inlay. Paua infilled “O” logo on ebony peghead. Brazilian peghead back veneer with WBW purfling.
The Alien
One of the more spectacular examples of the “Tree” Mahogany this guitar was named the “Alien” because when viewed from a distance you could see what resembled and Alien in the figure. A cedar top with 42-style top inlay and Paua end wedge borders. Wide Paua rosette set in radial cut Brazilian Rosewood. Tree Mahogany head back veneer and Paua infilled “O” logo. Larry Robinson did the inlay work on the fingerboard.
Brazilian Cedar SJ with Cedar top
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a cedar top. Paua rosette, back strip and end wedge borders. 12th fret “Ryan” style inlay on ebony fingerboard. Brazilian peghead back veneer.
#1594 SJ Brazilian Rosewood / Cedar top
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a Cedar top. Paua top edge, back center strip and end wedge borders. Radial cut Brazilian Rosewood and Paua rosette. Ebony fingerboard with #1 inlays. Paua infilled “O” logo on ebony peghead. Ebony peghead back veneer with WBW purfling.
#1586 Brazilian SJ cut-away with European Spruce top
Brazilian Rosewood with European Spruce top. Paua top edge, back center strip, and end wedge borders. Paua and Brazilian rosette. Ebony peghead front with Larry Robinson inlay. Brazilian head back veneer with WBW purfling and ebony binding Paua infilled doves and “O” logo.
SJ Brazilian Rosewood cut-away / Cedar top
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a Cedar top. Paua top edge, and end wedge borders. Paua back edge perimeter. Radial cut Brazilian Rosewood and wide Paua rosette. Paua fingerboard and headstock perimeter edging. “Vine inlay pieces on fingerboard and partial vine on Brazilian peghead front. Paua infilled “O”. Brazilian Rosewood peghead back veneer with WBW purfling and special inlay. Paua bridge wing inlays on
Brazilian Bridge.
