Koa soundboard opinions

[RJVB]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

2008 Taylor GS LTD Fall Limited

I would have believed it if someone tried to sell that one as myrtlewood!

Out of curiosity: koa is an acacia wood. Are there other acacia species (from less exotic locations) that give good tonewood? Mesquite (should at least smell good ) or Robinia would be a lot more sustainable.

[musicman1951]

I played a Martin 000-28K Authentic that was one sweet sounding guitar. If you can build one with that sound and sustain go for it. But if you're looking for more of an all around do everything guitar the Spruce makes more sense.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by RJVB

I would have believed it if someone tried to sell that one as myrtlewood!

Out of curiosity: koa is an acacia wood. Are there other acacia species (from less exotic locations) that give good tonewood? Mesquite (should at least smell good ) or Robinia would be a lot more sustainable.

Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia Melanoxylon) comes to mind and is used by Taylor, Cole Clark, and other brands. I've had a 2016 Taylor 322ce with Mahogany Top and Tasmanian Blackwood body and it sounded wonderful!

[RJVB]

Yes, blackwood sounds wonderful. I hadn't yet put it down as an acacia, but if it's really endemic to Tasmania it is hardly less exotic than koa...

[rlgph]

I have a 00-size 12 fret with Taz blackwood B&S and redwood top made by Darrin Hippner that sounds wonderful also -- VERY similar to a 00-18 Authentic that i recently sold. (When i talk about sound, it is from my perspective as a player. I don't know how it sounds out front.)

[thomastedder]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

I played a Martin 000-28K Authentic that was one sweet sounding guitar. If you can build one with that sound and sustain go for it. But if you're looking for more of an all around do everything guitar the Spruce makes more sense.

Not looking for an all-around guitar. I plan to build at least 10 more. I don’t know if I can build one as good as Martin or not, but my first one is almost finished (putting on laquer today) and I am very pleased with how it is turning out.

[gmel555]

Originally Posted by thomastedder

Sounds like not many people like a Koa top

I'll add my "vote" to what I'm reading above with the clarifier that I've played several wonderful koa topped guitars, but in every case they were guitars with a number of years of play on them. New koa tops as others say seem to take quite awhile to "return your love". If I were a new luthier I'd probably want more instant gratification/feedback on my first several builds...but that's me.

[jrdavies]

Originally Posted by thomastedder

I’d love to, but don’t know any.

Any reason for the 12 fret 000 suggestion? Will that mellow it down?

You might try sending them an email and introducing yourself, with a brief description of what you are working on. The worst case is you don't get a reply. You could also post something over in the Custom Shop section here as there quite a few luthiers regularly post there.

I like smaller 12 fret guitars. My limited experience with guitars with Koa tops is that they are quieter than guitars with Spruce or Cedar tops. So a 00 guitar might be too small.

If you search through past posts in this section of the forum there are some informative discussions on all Koa guitars. If I remember correctly WadeHampton and AlohaChris provided interesting comments.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Stonehauler]

Taylor has some all Koa wood guitars available. I would highly advise you look at them to see how an all Koa wood guitar differs from others. I honestly found them too dark for me.