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Speaking of Olson
Man, if I only had $10,000 I’m sure I could win the bid for David Wilcox’s Olson. Take a look at the photos.
This really does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Maybe I should take up a collection…
Man, if I only had $10,000 I’m sure I could win the bid for David Wilcox’s Olson. Take a look at the photos.
This really does seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Maybe I should take up a collection…
Comments
Too rich for my blood. I'd love to own an Olson, of course (a friend has one and I've played it). For now, I'm sticking to the Taylor 810, which is not only more affordable but a great all-around fingerpicking/flatpicking guitar. I also have a Martin 00 series acoustic, and a couple of Fender and Gibson electrics.
But besides the Taylor, they've all seen heavy wear and play, and I doubt they're worth much. The Guitar business lately has become like Harley-Davidson: they cater to Boomers with tons of money to spend on relics of childhood nostalgia replete with fripperies such as gilding, herringbone inlays, fret markers, and eccentric finishes and paint.
Yeah, I'm sure I'll never own one. Especially if he never takes orders again. I'm in Minnesota this week, and I will be going through Minneapolis a couple times. I spoke with Mr. Olson last friday and may drop by to see his shop. I've never even played an Olson. How does your friend's Olson play?
The Taylor 810 is one I've considered for my next guitar.
The Taylor 810 is one of the nicest guitars I've ever played, really. Not only is it just the right price-point for me, an amateur musician, but Taylor is revolutionary in that they've streamlined the production of the cedar stock used for the most important wood in the guitar. If you get a chance and you're near El Cajon CA, stop by the Taylor Shop for a tour. It's great.
I took this Taylor I have down from the wall and played it for about an hour, trying nearly everything I know. Classical Segovia stuff. Bluegrass with a flatpick. Jimmy Page tunes. Celtic songs. Leo Kottke runs. And it all sounded great. Taylor makes a playable guitar--the neck is not an electric guitar neck, like a Takamine, but it's very playable and they're set up good out of the box. Not a single dead spot on the neck. Good value for the money. And while playing this guitar, it spoke to me, you know? I stood up and said, "wrap it up, I'm taking this baby home" to the salesman.
That was when I was just a young buck. For a long, long, time, this guitar was the most expensive thing I owned, my most prized posession. It's been all over the country with me, and even to the UK.
As for Olson, well, Mr. Olson doesn't need my recommendation. He's practically the Guarini of the acoustic guitar. Superlative. Ever note has presence and separation. If I were a corporate lawyer or stockbroker, I'd probably have one.
I forgot to say that I used to have a few beers with a guy who is a big-name luthier. He took me to his shop a few times, and showed me what to look for in an acoustic guitar when buying.
One of the things I do is what I call "the glue test." You should put the guitar's soundhole right up to your face, Jimi Hendrix-style, as if you're playing with your teeth. Look inside the box, and pay attention to the edge where the rosewood (or whatever) sides meet the back of the guitar. If you see any glue whatsoever, put it back and try another. You should NOT see any dried glue squeezing out at all. This is a sign of shoddy, rushed workmanship.
Of course, you should play the guitar in question up and down the neck as much as possible to get an idea of the neck feel. Hit a harmonic on the 12th fret, and tune it to the open string that way and see if it holds tune. That's another crucial test.
Taylor appreciates hand craftsmanship, but they incorporate technology that can improve upon hand work. For example, a computer-guided laser cuts the top and back of the box to exact dimensions, improving the fit to where the only discrepancy in tolerance is the variation in the wood used. That's why I've never seen messy glue jobs on a Taylor. They're careful enough for a guitar that isn't totally hand made.
Thanks for the tips. I definetely keep those in mind.
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