Official Luthiers Forum!

Okay OLF Wood suppliers, I'm on the prowl for a killer set of Koa B&S. A phone call from a friend who lives in Maui resulted in a commission for a Koa guitar. My stash includes only a barely flamed set and may not do for this guitar.

And an informal poll, what do you think, Adirondack or Sitka for a versatile guitar with unknown style user? My Sitka is prettier than my Addy, but I can get some Addy or Carpathian for a reasonable price.

Check with Steve at Colonial. He has fabulous Koa. The best I have ever laied my hands on.

I second the Colonial recomendation. I have a few sets, they have nice color and lots of flame, but best of all, they are are nicely aged.

Bruce, I recently built an OM of some of this Koa with an italian spruce top. It is the one that Mike Wong plays in the Mpeg section.

I was very happy with the sound of this wood combo for the most part. The guitar had a sparkle to it remonisant of say, a cedar top guitar.

If you think your client may like something a little darker tonally, I might choose the sitka, or engleman.

this is of course a very subjective area to get into, and I try not form any hard opinions about tonal characters of tops based on species alone.

as you get to know you client better Im sure you will dial in on a great choice.

Matt

Thanks Michael and Matt, Koa procurement is definitely on the to do list. I hadn't considered Englemann, why not, I have some pretty BC stuff from Ed.

If you don't find what you are looking for at Colonial Tonewoods then shoot Bob Gleason at Pegasus Guitars an email. He has some nice Koa too.

Here is another guy you could try.

Kevin Murray - Blue mountain acoustics & Exotic Wood works
www.bluemtnacoustics.com

I think I saw him offering some nice koa on ebay a while ago. I haven’t had any of his koa myself, but I have purchased other wood from him and it is great.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Good for you Bruce...Congratulations on the new Commish.
WalterK

I have made a few purchases from Kevin as well. Great set of ziricote and some mahogany. Good guy and easy to deal with. Probably would get more attention if he had pics on his site but he does respond quickly with pics if asked. He sells alot on ebay.

There is a guy from Hawaii that sells Koa on ebay and has some real nice sets...actually bought 2. the ebay name is anmura. couple hours left on 3 sets. check that out. you can probably email and get some better sets. never noticed more than 2 or 3 on there at a time.

Thanks guys. I've always admired guitars made with the curly Koa. Since this guitar is destined to return to the Islands it needs to be nice material.

I'm finally back online everyone! Remind me never to move again! I'll be posting some mastergrade koa sets on my site next week. If you need something sooner send me an email and I'll forward the pics to you ahead of time.
Thanks,
Steve Roberson, owner
colonialtonewoods.com

Thanks Steve, you come highly recommended. Doesn't cost a thing to look, thank you.

Bruce--I fear getting yet another name out here (too many choices can be paralyzing--like looking at a Chinese restaurant menu). But like you say, it doesn't cost anything to look. You mmight try Bruce Creps of Notable Woods in Washington. www.notablewoods.com
Ask about his "Retirement Koa". If you want a dark amber to dark chocolate colored set, this is it.

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

If the customer is on Maui, why not have him send you the set he
wants?

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Yes, he's a General Contractor on the Island. Do you know of a contact on Maui?

Bruce....

You can also try Pegasus Guitars (sorry Steve), Bob's on one of the islands over there and is a great guy to work with. He always has good stuff on his site...

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Bruce,

Bart Potter is a good contact for Koa, but I believe he has a minimum order of $500 (which isn't all that difficult to do with Koa prices the way they are)...