Riddle me this - Koa top - Rosewood back/sides

[Alec the Viking]

Originally Posted by Matt Mustapick

This thread caught my attention since it linked to my koa/ebony guitar. This is the one of two koa-tops I've made, an OM and a baritone, both koa/ebony. Both of them were *very* different than most "normal" koa/koa guitars I've played, in that they both had a ton of beautiful sparkly overtones. By my reckoning they were very nice guitars for strumming because all the overtones caused the notes of a chord to mesh into one big beautiful sparkling wall of sound. Looking for a smooth mellow tone...don't get this guitar. Looking for super-easy pop and projection with a very light touch...look elsewhere. That said, these distinctions are meant only in the context of being picky. I think they were also generally good responsive instruments all 'round. These were slightly peculiar, and really remarkable in their own way.

FWIW

so would you say that koa tops are a viable option with other tonewoods?

[JLed79]

I've toyed with the idea of a koa top over macassar b/s. I don't really care for the sound of all koa guitars until they have opened up though. Just too bright for me. Do you think this guitar would also sound bright?

[Matt Mustapick]

Originally Posted by Alec the Viking

so would you say that koa tops are a viable option with other tonewoods?

Koa tops aren't more compatible with koa backs than they are compatible with any other kind of backs. In my opinion a koa/rosewood is likely to sound quite different than a koa/koa guitar, in much the same way that a spruce/rosewood guitar is likely to sound different than a spruce/koa guitar. It's possible that my first post would give you a suggestion of what that difference could be. Don't be concerned with whether or not certain combinations of woods are "good" or "acceptable", or "better". That's not a useful idea. If you make a guitar out of woods that are generally suitable for making guitars, then it's possible to make a good guitar. Different woods can sound different, just as good guitars can sound different. There are no rules.

[Andromeda]

I thought a Koa top with Rosewood would look terrible but it doesn't!!!! (except for the gaudy pickguard)

[Alec the Viking]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

I thought a Koa top with Rosewood would look terrible but it doesn't!!!! (except for the gaudy pickguard)

where did you see one?

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by Alec the Viking

where did you see one?

In the video linked in post #2.

[Alec the Viking]

Originally Posted by Andromeda

In the video linked in post #2.

I was thinking that you may have found something in the surf.. but yeah, that one doesn't look bad!

[Alec the Viking]

Originally Posted by Matt Mustapick

Koa tops aren't more compatible with koa backs than they are compatible with any other kind of backs. In my opinion a koa/rosewood is likely to sound quite different than a koa/koa guitar, in much the same way that a spruce/rosewood guitar is likely to sound different than a spruce/koa guitar. It's possible that my first post would give you a suggestion of what that difference could be. Don't be concerned with whether or not certain combinations of woods are "good" or "acceptable", or "better". That's not a useful idea. If you make a guitar out of woods that are generally suitable for making guitars, then it's possible to make a good guitar. Different woods can sound different, just as good guitars can sound different. There are no rules.

The question I have is what would it sound like?

[Matt Mustapick]

From previous post #15

Originally Posted by Matt Mustapick

This thread caught my attention since it linked to my koa/ebony guitar. This is the one of two koa-tops I've made, an OM and a baritone, both koa/ebony. Both of them were *very* different than most "normal" koa/koa guitars I've played, in that they both had a ton of beautiful sparkly overtones. By my reckoning they were very nice guitars for strumming because all the overtones caused the notes of a chord to mesh into one big beautiful sparkling wall of sound. Looking for a smooth mellow tone...don't get this guitar. Looking for super-easy pop and projection with a very light touch...look elsewhere. That said, these distinctions are meant only in the context of being picky. I think they were also generally good responsive instruments all 'round. These were slightly peculiar, and really remarkable in their own way.

FWIW

[Alec the Viking]

Originally Posted by Matt Mustapick

From previous post #15

Good man. I read it before.. something in me requires a level of redundancy to really believe what I am reading.

[Matt Mustapick]

all good...