Olson 1984 Dreadnought

[6ixxer]

I saw dream guitars has this Olson dreadnought for sale and I was blown away by how "cheap" it is compared to all other Olson guitars I have seen. Just wondering what your thoughts are on why it doesn't hold the same value as his SJ models.

https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/19...pruce-139.html

[gitarro]

Originally Posted by 6ixxer

I saw dream guitars has this Olson dreadnought for sale and I was blown away by how "cheap" it is compared to all other Olson guitars I have seen. Just wondering what your thoughts are on why it doesn't hold the same value as his SJ models.

https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/19...pruce-139.html

The dreadnought is not the model that Jim Olson made his name with - that being the SJ model made famous by James Taylor. Other artists who use Olson also invariably use the SJ model like Phil Keaggy and David Wilcox. As a result, it is usually the cheapest type of Olson guitar you can buy.

As well, this particular one is comparatively quite old indeed for an Olson.

[erhino41]

You had my hopes up for a second. [emoji16] even a "cheap" Olsen is unaffordable to me. Fine guitar, though.

[frances50]

Beautiful guitar and sounds really nice. Good price for an Olson.

[Dwight]

It sounds great and is an affordable entry point for sure.

[Cams]

Lovely. I played a nice Olson parlour over the weekend. I'd love to try that dread.

[The Bard Rocks]

I find that - often - the first guitars a maker puts out are cheaper than the others. Which only makes sense; they get better at it the more experience they have. And after a luthier has retired or died, their prices - often - take a dip. You might think they'd go up since no more are being made, but I think "out of sight, out of mind" plays a role.

[Carmel Cedar]

It’s a lovely guitar. However, it has a crack in it (fully disclosed). Cleared/repaired so it’s almost sure to be stable and not impact tone, but in my experience, value takes a major hit in such a situation.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by 6ixxer

I saw dream guitars has this Olson dreadnought for sale and I was blown away by how "cheap" it is compared to all other Olson guitars I have seen. Just wondering what your thoughts are on why it doesn't hold the same value as his SJ models.

https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/19...pruce-139.html

Hi 6ixetc

Has nothing to do with the properties, but the model. I own a 1993 Olson Dreadnought - EIR/Cedar - and the going rate on Dreadnought Olsons is in the $8000 range (has been for years). The Spruce top might not be the combination most of us associate with Olsons (traditionally Rosewood/Cedar).

Olson Dreadnoughts are much rarer (James told me in 2005 he's built around 80-some Dreadnoughts). But rare or not, the SJ is the sexier of the models he builds. And the SJ cutaway seems to be the most popular.

[DenverSteve]

Okay - from an Olson price-point it's less expensive. For a guitar, in its shape, with repairs and fret wear, to me, it's not cheap or properly priced. To me, one would would be better served to spend the same money on a new Charis. there's nothing better built than a Charis and few that sound or play as well.

[gitarro]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

Okay - from an Olson price-point it's less expensive. For a guitar, in its shape, with repairs and fret wear, to me, it's not cheap or properly priced. To me, one would would be better served to spend the same money on a new Charis. there's nothing better built than a Charis and few that sound or play as well.

Another two names for olson type guitars are Brian Applegate and Drew Heinonen. They were once Jim Olson's assistants working in his shop and so they have first hand knowledge of Olson's processes. Applegate has since gone on to establish more of his own tone but Heinonen will still build with jim Olson's blessing an SJ model with exactly the same specs.