Each JT Signature Model guitar bears a label personally signed by both James Taylor and Jim Olson, visible through the soundhole. Inside, the neck head block is laser-engraved with the “James Taylor Signature Model” designation, in addition to the serial number and year of construction.
Jim will craft a total of 100 JT models: 80 “Standard” JT models, and 10 each of two “Special Edition” JT models that supplement the standard model with special appointments and woods (a Special Edition Model is pictured above). The Standard JT model is available for $15,000. Special Edition models command higher prices; contact Jim directly for further information.
Specifications:
Special Edition JT models share the basic specifications of the standard model, but supplement them. Ten Indian rosewood special edition JT models will be built with these additional appointments:
In addition, ten Brazillian rosewood special edition JT models were built with the above appointments, but substituting select Brazilian rosewood for the guitar back and sides. All of the Brazilian JT Signature Model guitars have been sold.
“Asked about his custom-made guitar, Taylor says, It has very low action. ( Jim ) makes a guitar that is very stable, very reliable. All of my Olson’s have lasted– I’ve played them on the road and they have stoodup well. I’ve abused them terribly, but he is around to fix them, so that’s a crucial relationship we have.“
There aren’t many players and luthiers as inextricably linked as James Taylor and Jim Olson. Guitar players are a notoriously fickle bunch, prone to acquisitiveness, seemingly more likely than most to covet thy neighbor’s toys, but Taylor defies the stereotype, and he has been faithful to Olson since the latter found a way to get one of his guitars into the hands of the former way back in 1989. Jim has built eight guitars for James over the years, starting with an unsolicited SJ with a cutaway. Read the Full Article at FretboardJournal.com