The Next Olson SJ Build - Brazilian/Italian Spruce

690MBCOMMANDO · #1 01-31-2009, 09:03 PM

Ok Gang - Here are details on my next Olson SJ build, I've been pretty busy so no chance to get the pix up:

- SJ Body Size
- Master Brazilian Back and Sides (Dark Old Growth Straight Grain)
- Cutaway
- Mastergrade Italian Spruce top from "THE TREE OF MUSIC" (with his new spruce top design)
- Radially cut Brazilian rosette w/Abalone rosette
- Matching Brazilian Headplate, Backplate and heelcap
- Brazilian binding around body, headstock (violin line purfling and
ebony binding around headstock)
- Paua around the soundboard
- Paua Backstripe
- Paua around V of the endpin
- Paua “O” Logo
- Paua fingerboard border w/ blank fretboard (no markers)
- Paua Around headstock
- Fossilized Walrus Ivory Set
- Gold Gotoh Delta Tuners (Ebony Knobs)
- Clear Pickguard
- LR Baggs LB6 Pickup
- Deluxe Calton Case with “O” Logo (Honey Beige w/Granite – Pewter Interior)
- Gold Strap Button

Here is the set of Braz - nearly extinct dark chocolate straight grained (this will be so dark that it may be close to African Blackwood - rarest of the rare and sought after even in the "old days"). Jim said this thing tapped out unbelievably so it'll be fun to see how it turns out especially paired with this particular top

Here is a picture of the Italian Spruce from "The Tree of Music" - I chose this on my trip out to Jim's shop this past summer. Very impressive taptone and absolutely stunning in person. This will be the first time Jim will be using Italian from "The Tree of Music". He had only a few pieces of it so I was lucky to get one (note the tight, straight perfect grain):

(also note the background - it's not a piece of black velvet, it's actually the Brazilian Rosewood from my set - IT'S REALLY DARK!)

Well it's already being built and here is a picture of it sanded (and lightened up a tad to show the grain):

Backstripe and cutaway are in!

I had to make a decision on the Brazilian binding so I had the following choices (light Braz, Brazilian from "the beam" that my first SJ was built with, and dark braz from my current set):

Frankly all three would have been nice, but I elected to go with the matching dark braz since it will really make the blue paua pop! In addition, all braz on my guitar (headstock, backplate, binding, rosette, etc.) will come from the same set of back and sides....

More info to come folks!

Taylorplayer · #2 01-31-2009, 09:12 PM

You will be keeping that in a humidity controlled vault - right? That is going to be simply amazing. I am very excited for you (but not half as much as you are, I'm sure).

woodnwire · #3 01-31-2009, 09:39 PM

Great looking woods, Commando! BTW, I have an Olson SJ on order and will be one serial number behind yours! Mine will be Brazilian (from the "Beam") and cedar with all the bells and whistles...

I'll try to post pics of the set of Brazilian later...very nice!

Check your PMs...I sent you one about a week ago.

Vic

rgregg48 · #4 01-31-2009, 09:42 PM

C"mon Comando,, now you're your just showing off..

Just cut to the chase,, show the next 48 builds and

have it over with!

(Aw im just jiving ya,, good luck on the next, however many-)

Rick

690MBCOMMANDO · #5 01-31-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodnwire

Great looking woods, Commando! BTW, I have an Olson SJ on order and will be one serial number behind yours! Mine will be Brazilian (from the "Beam") and cedar with all the bells and whistles...

I'll try to post pics of the set of Brazilian later...very nice!

Check your PMs...I sent you one about a week ago.

Vic

Hi There - Yes congrats on the build and "all the bells and whistles" is totally the way to go when you go cedar and braz from the beam! I absolultely love mine and glad that it worked out for you. If it sounds anything like mine it'll be AMAZING - never played anything like it!

Please share your pix if you are inclined as we go through the process together.

690MBCOMMANDO · #6 01-31-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgregg48

C"mon Comando,, now you're your just showing off..

Just cut to the chase,, show the next 48 builds and

have it over with!

(Aw im just jiving ya,, good luck on the next, however many-)

Rick

Hahaha

(how did you discover my master plan to recreate a old growth straight grained brazilian rosewood tree in my living room?

).

Seriously though, I'm pairing down....

woodnwire · #7 01-31-2009, 09:59 PM

Commando,

Here is my set of "Beam" brazilian...

Vic

690MBCOMMANDO · #8 01-31-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodnwire

Commando,

Here is my set of "Beam" brazilian...

Vic

Very cool contrasting grain pal! Old growth straight grain it next to impossible to come by so congrats on a GREAT find!

keyshore · #9 01-31-2009, 10:03 PM

Hey 690MBC

That's absolutely fantastic, that guitar is going to be out of this planet.

One of these days, i am going to visit the US and search the entire state of connecticut with a fine tooth comb to look for you!!

BTW please remember me in your will!!

Best,

Keyshore

tpp · #10 01-31-2009, 10:25 PM

Looks like this will be a special guitar. I think you will need to have a side-by-side photo and sound comparison posted with the Ryan Blackbird.

690MBCOMMANDO · #11 01-31-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpp

Looks like this will be a special guitar. I think you will need to have a side-by-side photo and sound comparison posted with the Ryan Blackbird.

Hmmm...they are pretty different guitars each with their unique tone. I'm not sure if I mentioned it but when I was out in MN last year I played several spruce topped Olsons at his shop and MAN THEY WERE SO MUCH FUN TO PLAY. They had that characteristic Olson tone but they also had that added punch from Cedar.

Jim is going to use really light bracing on my so it should really be something (I hope

)

Glennwillow · #12 01-31-2009, 10:38 PM

Holy Cow! That is going to be an amazing guitar! I would expect this guitar is going to sound amazing, too. What gorgeous woods!

Congratulations!

- Glenn

690MBCOMMANDO · #13 01-31-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Holy Cow! That is going to be an amazing guitar! I would expect this guitar is going to sound amazing, too. What gorgeous woods!

Congratulations!

- Glenn

Thanks Glenn - one more note after seeing your other post. This piece of Braz is over 50 years old and should be impressive and tapped out ridiculously good.

rgregg48 · #14 01-31-2009, 11:02 PM

Gee COMANDO,
Oil executive?
The following is a rude and highly personal question, which you
should not answer,, but someones got to ask
How weathy are you anyway?

(el crapo question, but somebody had to be the gadfly, and ask
so i volenteered!

Rick

690MBCOMMANDO · #15 01-31-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgregg48

Gee COMANDO,
Oil executive?
The following is a rude and highly personal question, which you
should not answer,, but someones got to ask
How weathy are you anyway?

(el crapo question, but somebody had to be the gadfly, and ask
so i volenteered!

Rick

I'm not in oil, but I'm VERY good at profitably growing companies