New Kostal Build - OMC Koa/German Spruce (nearing the finish line)
 

I'm on Jason's schedule for a mid 2020 12 fret OMC commission for what I believe will be a superlative fingerstyle instrument so I'm starting this build thread. The only activity that will happen this year will be Jason looking for a set of master grade koa that will be used in the build.

Based on my desire for a balanced and sweet tonal response and my impressions of my Taylor K-22 all koa 12 fret versus my higher end guitars (Froggy Bottom, SCGC, Collings, and Robinson), we both came to the conclusion that the combination of German spruce and koa will produce an exceptionally sweet, balanced, and orchestral sounding instrument. My K-22 is a wonderful guitar and I find it's tone to be exceptional but from a sustain and resonance standpoint, it's almost like the gain knob is turned down a bit compared to the same parameters as my higher end guitars.

I'll be spending this year figuring out final aesthetic details to work out (rosette, end graft, binding, etc.) but very excited to be a future Kostal owner. Stay tuned.

Jason Kostal seems like a great guy and my lord his guitars are magical. I picked up a pre-owned 00 and it has changed how I perceive all my guitars now! Enjoy the process!

First update for 2020. Jason presented the koa sets he selected for me and I settled on this one. The figuring looks spectacular and Jason told me he was very excited with the tap tone he got from it. I love koa and I'm super excited to have a luthier of Jason's ability to build me this guitar.

Looking forward to meeting Jason at BIG at the end of March.

https://i.imgur.com/ndnXJqD.jpg

Congratulations just does not seem enough. I can confirm Jason is one heck of a great guy. I am so happy I got to meet and know him at last year's B. I. G. Looking forward to getting together again this year with him and you Bob. That Koa is absolutely out of this world. You must be through the roof with excitement.

Nice Koa!
 

Congrats, Bob--Looks like you have some killer Koa to start off with!

As Tom mentioned, Jason is a great guy and one awesome luthier!

Will you be taking delivery of this guitar at BIG(er)?

Hope so, so that we can all break it in for you! :D

It will be great to see you there either way...

That is some killer koa! I am also waiting for my build to start, so I'll live through you in the next weeks :)

Cheers,
Tom

Congratulations wow that’s a significant jump from your current stable

^ this!

I know it's a lot more coin but Jaon's guitars are truly magical instruments. I think you are going to be delighted with how it sounds and responds, not just with how it looks (superb koa BTW).

Cheers,
Steve

That Koa is stunning! Looking forward to see it come together :)

And we have started. Back and sides are in progress. Looking at early December completion. Might be a good time to visit Phoenix!

Here's the spec's:

OMC
German spruce top/Master grade Koa back and sides
12 fret, 25" scale, 1-13/16" nut width


https://i.imgur.com/JJV0fum.jpg

That koa under finish is going to drop jaws!!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing this build unfold!!!!

I have a Kostal "00" in German and Master Koa. Very similar specs...12 fret and short scale. It's an exceptional guitar, and far and away the best Koa piece I've owned. I think you'll be really pleased. Mike

Nice, let the fun begin!

Absolutely gorgeous Koa...WOW!! Should be an awesome guitar!!

Oh, boy! Here ya go!! Love it!!