What am I Hearing? (Olson SJ Content)

[Glennwillow]

What am I Hearing? (Olson SJ Content)

I think you are hearing the effect of the Engelmann top and maybe some of the BRW adding more treble and sparkle to the sound than I usually hear on mine. I have an Olson SJ with a cedar top and it's quite a bit mellower sounding than the examples I heard. For me, I appreciate the warmer, mellower sound of my Olson, though new strings matter a lot, too.

These days I play my Olson more than any other guitar I have and I have some very nice ones. Doug Young mentioned the Santa Cruz FS model, which I also own. I hardly play that guitar at all; to me, while it's a good fingerstyle guitar for instrumental playing, it does not sound close to my Olson SJ. This SC FS is way brighter even though it has a cedar top like my Olson SJ.

I agree that the price on that guitar, $45K, is kind of ridiculous. But as others have already commented, Olson guitars are expensive even at 25% of that $45K number. My Olson SJ has EIR and it still sounds really good. I have played an Olson SJ with cedar top and BRW back and sides and it did sound even better than mine, but the cost differential is substantial and I was not going to play it. Also, I bought my Olson SJ used, so I paid less.

I think SJ models from Heinonen, Applegate and Pellerin might be worth considering. It has gotten hard to find Olson SJ's for a reasonable price for quite a while.

- Glenn

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

It's just not a very good recording. I'm sure the guitar sounds great in person…

I'd use these just as a starting point, tho, to narrow down what you'd like to check out in person. The guitars will sound different when you play them…

Hi Doug
That is great advice.

The most important thing is a person playing a particular instrument in his/her style, not just what the general public thinks.

My Olson Dreadnought (a rare thing) EIR/Cedar is an amazing instrument, and it's been played by many dozens of people.

It doesn't fare well for those with a heavy grip or heavy flat picking. Just not designed nor built nor setup for it. A person playing my guitar in this fashion would not sound even similar to me playing it.

[jaymarsch]

I have played some guitars by Bill Tippin and Kathy Wingert that are close to the Olson tone so if you are checking out used single luthier built instruments, you might check those out as well.
I have a cedar-topped Wingert that I bought used online back in 2003 and it has a rich, full tone.
Best,
Jayne

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by s2y

I can't say BIG had a lot of Olson "clones" that I'm aware of.

I mentioned BIG only because it's an AGF associated event where there seem to be a fair number of nice guitars and a comfortable place to try them out and talk to the luthiers (I haven't attended).

In spite of most answers here, including my own, my impression of the OPs question is not so much "how can I find an Olson sound-alike", than "what's appealing about this sound?", and it may be that the Olson component has little to do with it. Given that the other option given is a Collings, which is entirely different high quality guitar (kind of like saying "I really like chocolate, but I might have strawberry instead"), my guess is that he's just hearing the sound of a good guitar, and there are so many to choose from, and so many flavors to try, many of which may have whatever it is that's attractive about the Olson recording. So my suggestion is, go try out a range of high-end guitars. Visit Dream in Asheville, or go to a luthier-oriented guitar show, etc. That may help answer the "what is it that I like?" question.

[EnsgnOfIndustry]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Doug
That is great advice.

The most important thing is a person playing a particular instrument in his/her style, not just what the general public thinks.

My Olson Dreadnought (a rare thing) EIR/Cedar is an amazing instrument, and it's been played by many dozens of people.

It doesn't fare well for those with a heavy grip or heavy flat picking. Just not designed nor built nor setup for it. A person playing my guitar in this fashion would not sound even similar to me playing it.

Agree. I’ve heard it said that listening to acoustic guitar videos is more an exercise in listening to different microphones and their placements. Also, I have no interest in playing bluegrass or ragtime, so it’s particularly hard judge a guitar when the player is playing that style.

In any case, I try to listen to these videos with the best phones I own, and try to pick out particular notes and strings. Of course, that’s no way pick a $10k plus guitar.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by EnsgnOfIndustry

Agree. I’ve heard it said that listening to acoustic guitar videos is more an exercise in listening to different microphones and their placements. Also, I have no interest in playing bluegrass or ragtime, so it’s particularly hard judge a guitar when the player is playing that style.

In any case, I try to listen to these videos with the best phones I own, and try to pick out particular notes and strings. Of course, that’s no way pick a $10k plus guitar.

Hi EOF
I listen to videos either on my Bose 5:1 system on our living room setup, or I listen on my BOSE desktop speakers hooked to my computer.

If they are worthy of a deeper dive, I pull out my Sennheiser wired cans (either my sealed or open-air ones) and give it a less affected by rooms etc listen.

Then if really interested I begin asking around to see if any friends own any of these instruments so I could get hands-on. I'm willing to travel a couple hundred miles where there are guitars living with people I have made acquaintances with who have invited me to visit and play/jam.

By making opportunities, and digging around I have had the opportunity to play some really amazing guitars. I also now own three handbuilt instruments and some better than average 'others', the youngest of which has lived 13 years in our home. I have lots of guitar-friends as a result…

I hope you get to scratch some itches…musically.

[mguynn]

I owned an 2000 Olson SJ with a cedar top with Indian Rosewood b/s’s and
I currently own 2 Applegates SJ’s . I have a cedar top with Indian Rosewood and one with Moonspruce and Madagascar RW b/s’s .
The cedar top Applegate does feel and sound quite similar to the Olson I owned but Olson’s have a snappiness and a more metallic quality with very nice kind of sparkly overtones.
It is interesting to note that JT played a special build Yamaha at the time Jim Olson dropped off one of his Olson’s in his hotel room .
I asked Brian Applegate if he could more exactly replicate the Olson tone and he said that he could but I am sure he would only do it if Mr. Olson oked it.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

I mentioned BIG only because it's an AGF associated event where there seem to be a fair number of nice guitars and a comfortable place to try them out and talk to the luthiers (I haven't attended).

In spite of most answers here, including my own, my impression of the OPs question is not so much "how can I find an Olson sound-alike", than "what's appealing about this sound?", and it may be that the Olson component has little to do with it. Given that the other option given is a Collings, which is entirely different high quality guitar (kind of like saying "I really like chocolate, but I might have strawberry instead"), my guess is that he's just hearing the sound of a good guitar, and there are so many to choose from, and so many flavors to try, many of which may have whatever it is that's attractive about the Olson recording. So my suggestion is, go try out a range of high-end guitars. Visit Dream in Asheville, or go to a luthier-oriented guitar show, etc. That may help answer the "what is it that I like?" question.

Fair point. I can be too literal at times. Next year I might ask to hear the real deal.

Lots of OMs, a few mod ds, 00s, DNs, and the occasional 0000.

[EnsgnOfIndustry]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

I mentioned BIG only because it's an AGF associated event where there seem to be a fair number of nice guitars and a comfortable place to try them out and talk to the luthiers (I haven't attended).

In spite of most answers here, including my own, my impression of the OPs question is not so much "how can I find an Olson sound-alike", than "what's appealing about this sound?", and it may be that the Olson component has little to do with it. Given that the other option given is a Collings, which is entirely different high quality guitar (kind of like saying "I really like chocolate, but I might have strawberry instead"), my guess is that he's just hearing the sound of a good guitar, and there are so many to choose from, and so many flavors to try, many of which may have whatever it is that's attractive about the Olson recording. So my suggestion is, go try out a range of high-end guitars. Visit Dream in Asheville, or go to a luthier-oriented guitar show, etc. That may help answer the "what is it that I like?" question.

Well summarized. I had been thinking of getting a “modern sounding” RW OM (Collings being pretty typical of that) and stumbled on to these Olson videos, which led me to the SJ body style, which I’m not at all familiar with. And, there was a different sound I was hearing from these guitars that is appealing, and I was wondering what factors (most to least) may be contributing to this difference.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by EnsgnOfIndustry

Well summarized. I had been thinking of getting a “modern sounding” RW OM (Collings being pretty typical of that) and stumbled on to these Olson videos, which led me to the SJ body style, which I’m not at all familiar with. And, there was a different sound I was hearing from these guitars that is appealing, and I was wondering what factors (most to least) may be contributing to this difference.

To me, the SJ body generates much more bass than an OM body can. The internal volume is notably larger and so is the size of the top. I like both body shapes but use one or the other for different types of music.

This is a video I did some time ago comparing a Collings OM1A, a Santa Cruz OM/PW, and an Olson SJ. It may be useful to you.



- Glenn

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

To me, the SJ body generates much more bass than an OM body can. The internal volume is notably larger and so is the size of the top. I like both body shapes but use one or the other for different types of music.

This is a video I did some time ago comparing a Collings OM1A, a Santa Cruz OM/PW, and an Olson SJ. It may be useful to you.



- Glenn

I remember when you first posted this, Glenn. Such beautiful playing. Each guitar is special in its own way, but your Olson really stands out imo.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by sinistral

I remember when you first posted this, Glenn. Such beautiful playing. Each guitar is special in its own way, but your Olson really stands out imo.

Thanks so much, Sinistral. Much appreciated. Carl Miner has come up with so many lovely melodies on the guitar.

I guess you can hear why I have been favoring my Olson in recent years.

- Glenn

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by EnsgnOfIndustry

I’ve recently become intrigued by SJ guitars after a slight detour while searching for the right OM Rosewood. I think I may have veered way out of my league with these Olson guitars. I’m drawn to this particular guitar as an example (link below. No affiliation). Most notably, I hear rich ambient overtones with retained clear string to string definition. I further hear a crisp bass response (I believe the second video is standard tuning); all coming through with a light touch. For those in ‘the know’, what am I hearing most? That is, what factor(s) is/are contributing to this particular character? The SJ? The top (I thought it was cedar but it appears to be Engelmann). Is it the BRW? The Olson? The perception of unobtainium of $45k? I ask in part to help guide me toward a less expensive yet similar sounding guitar. Was thinking Collings OM2H with a German top.

https://www.guitargal.com/collection...osewood-guitar
Oh, and this one as well:
https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/in...ood-cedar-701/

Still pricey, but not in the stratosphere, a Drew Heinonen guitar. Drew apprenticed with Olson, and with Olson's endorsement, now makes a guitar to the Olson SJ specs. I have one of his guitars, and it is a very very nice guitar.
https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/in...ele-cedar-035/

[EnsgnOfIndustry]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

To me, the SJ body generates much more bass than an OM body can. The internal volume is notably larger and so is the size of the top. I like both body shapes but use one or the other for different types of music.

This is a video I did some time ago comparing a Collings OM1A, a Santa Cruz OM/PW, and an Olson SJ. It may be useful to you.



- Glenn

Great touch. And super helpful. I forgot why I was listening to the video with a purpose for a minute…. The OM1 appeared to have great note separation. Very precise sounding. The SC was noticeably louder than the OM1 and had a reverb to it, and the notes on the high E were a little harsher. The Olson had the reverb, didn’t sound as loud as the SC (in the recording), but was just a bit smoother or rounder than the SC in all areas but most notably on the plain string notes.

[GuitarsFromMars]

Glenwillow, that was nice.

OP-I will play my Applegate until I die. I got one of Brian Applegate's PHD SJ's in IRW/Sitka, that has me rethinking what I know about these woods in a guitar build. This is the only acoustic I still play. It's exceptional.