Many/most hardwoods remain too heavy to be adequately responsive when they reach their ideal structural thickness. Only a few are even close to the ideal which many conifers seem close to. Of the several hardwoods I have used for tops, Catalpa stands alone for me as better than adequate, and I have mixed it with other hardwoods with great results. If Koa were not such a strong statement on its own, it could top other Tonewoods, but it is often visually overpowering. My most recent all Koa will hold its own with just about any guitar, and might be even better with a more robust back and sides despite the odd appearance it would hold for many of us.
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