Anyone know of Dennis Olson mandolins? Fisher, MN

[Arthur doyle]

Hi there, new to the forum. I'm looking for information on dennis olson mandolins out of fisher, Mn.

There is one for sale near me. Looks like a well made I instrument and the guy doesn't want much. All I can find is one that sold on goodwill web site in ND for $280.00. Same model. And I'm in western north carolina. So these instruments seem to travel. If anyone has any info let me know. Thanksa for your time!
Shane doyle

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/64070719

[MikeEdgerton]

I raced bicycles with a guy named Dennis Olson many years ago in Portland, Oregon. I'm sure it isn't the same guy and there's no mention of a Dennis Olson anywhere on the Cafe except this thread. If that mandolin presented itself to me at that price I'd probably buy it just because.

[rcc56]

A google search for Dennie Olson Fisher MN yields a Dennis Irving Olson, 79 years old; and a Dennis I. Olson I, 80+ years old. Different family members are shown for each listing, so their may be two elderly Dennis Olsons in Fisher. Others with the same name are shown living in neighboring areas.

Can't find any references to Olson mandolins.

Handmade, for sure. Appears to be finished with a modern product rather than nitrocellulose lacquer or traditional spirit or oil varnish. My guess is that the maker was in it more for a hobby than for a business.

[Jim Garber]

From the one on SGW it looks like an amateur builder. F-holes looks rough and the pearl name on the headstock. It could be a decent player possibly. Here are some photos of the SGW one:

[MikeyG]

Dennis Olson and I built mandolins as a retirement hobby from 2006 until last year (2018). We stopped last summer for lack of energy. We sold a few but gave away most to friends, relatives and charities. Dennis will be 80 years old on April 30. He's a wonderful and patient guy with a great sense of humor. Being a retired carpenter, he is a real craftsman. He basically taught me all the steps. We numbered our mandolins. He took the odd numbers and I had the even numbers. We built one-at-a-time. I would guess that he built over 30 mandolins while I built 17. Our shop was right outside his house in Fisher, MN. I live about 30 minutes away. Dennis doesn't have Internet access but I'd be glad to communicate with him on behalf of any Cafe members.

MikeyG

[MikeEdgerton]

Dennis Olson and I built mandolins as a retirement hobby from 2006 until last year (2018). We stopped last summer for lack of energy. We sold a few but gave away most to friends, relatives and charities. Dennis will be 80 years old on April 30. He's a wonderful and patient guy with a great sense of humor. Being a retired carpenter, he is a real craftsman. He basically taught me all the steps. We numbered our mandolins. He took the odd numbers and I had the even numbers. We built one-at-a-time. I would guess that he built over 30 mandolins while I built 17. Our shop was right outside his house in Fisher, MN. I live about 30 minutes away. Dennis doesn't have Internet access but I'd be glad to communicate with him on behalf of any Cafe members.

MikeyG

That is excellent, thank you for posting this information. Please extend our best to him.

By the way, I'm guessing you were the G in O & G.

[Jim Garber]

Ah that clears up a lot. If MikeyG had something to do with this then it might very well be a good sounding and playing mandolin. Please excuse my comments above. Those were based on guesswork.

[MikeyG]

Ah that clears up a lot. If MikeyG had something to do with this then it might very well be a good sounding and playing mandolin. Please excuse my comments above. Those were based on guesswork.

Jim - No need to excuse your comments - you call 'em as you see 'em. No offense was taken. Thanks for the kind words.

Mike - Yes, I'm the G of G&O Mandolins. Here's a photo of my favorite build: an oval A from 2008. If you zoom in on the sound hole, you can discern the labels we used:



The top was colored with egg white - that was Dennis' suggestion.

MikeyG

[DHopkins]

A thread like this is one of the reasons this forum is so important.