Koa
One of the most visually stunning woods available, with golden hues and often with dramatic figure. Koa is characterized by a tone that is both clear and sweet. The voice grows over time, from sweet to sweeter. Clear and sweet. The wood “opens up” the more the instrument is played, expanding the midrange, for an even richer, sweeter tone over time. Due to its popularity, it is harder and harder to find top-quality koa. Limited supply has driven up prices in recent years, making koa expensive, and therefore rarely found in production guitars. Has the stiffness and clarity of rosewood, but with the warm, light tones of mahogany. Similar in weight and strength to black walnut. Colors range from brown to gold, with rich and varying grain, tending toward curl or flame figure in old-growth trees. Koa is a fast-growing tropical hardwood, native to the Hawaiian Islands. It requires up to 200 inches of annual rainfall. As a nitrogen fixing plant, it is perfect for growing in the young volcanic soil of the Islands
