Koa Back + Side Set - 042
Koa is sweet and mellow, with unrivaled beauty and an extremely good tonal balance.
- Minimum Dimensions
- Back halves: 8-1/4" x 22" x 0.155" (210mm x 559mm x 3.9mm)
- Sides: 5" x 31-1/2" x 0.130" (127mm x 800mm x 3.3mm)
Hailing from the lush and beautiful Hawaiian islands, Koa is a dense tropical hardwood that has been used on guitars dating back to the 1920s. The warm Hawaiian climate and year round humidity is ideal for growth, allowing Koa trees to exceed 30 inches in diameter within 40 years of being planted. The largest Koa currently on record is a massive 29 feet around.
Tonally, Koa is positioned between Mahogany and Maple, sterfully blending qualities of both. Its mid-range is similar in sound to Mahogany while its top end more closely resembles Maple. It lends itself quite naturally to rhythm playing and yields a more open sound the more it's played ts voice blossoming into a rich, sweet sounding bouquet.
Koa is breathtakingly gorgeous, the colors range from golden amber, to rich browns and blacks, and even occasional hints of purple. And in the higher grades, koa boasts some of the most outstanding figure of any instrument wood available.
It works similar to Mahogany, and bends easily, highly figured sets require a bit more care. Koa has open pores which will require filling prior to finish.
All WOODSTAX items come with our 100% satisfaction promise and no-hassle returns. If you are unhappy with the wood once you get it, simply return it in its original, unworked condition for a full refund or exchange.