Koa Mandolins

[minkus]

I just got back from Kauai and while I was there, I found some beautiful curly Koa wood. I've been building for about 3 years now, so I naturally brought back enough to make 1 maybe, 2 mandos with it. They even rough cut me 6 sides. I love the Koa Uke's, so I though it would be perfect.

But after reading a post about using Rosewood and all the risks with dust & thickness and sound issues, I thought I better throw it out here. Are there any gotchas, things I need to know? Has anyone used Koa in their mandolins? How is the sound? My other question would be should I use Spruce for the top or can I use Koa for it too? Any comments or tips would be much appreciated. Thanks..

PS. Kauai is awesome :grin:

[JEStanek]

Martin made an all Koa cant topped mandolin. Here's a good thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48195) on Koa flat and arch topped mandolins (with photos!).

Jamie

[Dave Hanson]

Flatiron made mandolins with koa back and sides, they were [ are ] top class.

Dave H

[Rob Grant]

FWIW: I would venture to say that Koa is similar to our native "Blackwood" or Acacia melanoxylon. Peter Coombe uses Tassie Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) sussessfully in some of his excellent mandolins.

[barry k]

Heres one made of koa, back and sides. I wouldnt use it for the neck though, probably would be too heavy. It made for a good sounding mandolin

[Greenmando]

Some Koa would be ok for a neck. Some of it is not that stable.
I have been building a F5 with a curly redwood face, the rest all Koa. Have to finish it soon.

[Christopher Standridge]

I think that it is a worth while venture for any builder to attempt building out of koa. I certainly appreciate the work involved in this creation. As it can be softer than mahogany or as dense as hard maple, you will have to carve accorindingly. This stuff was very dense and hard. I use this mandolin as y main gigging mandolin nowadays. It has a warm and woody chop that really compliments the rest of the band but the trebels are strong and strident and sound great when taking a break!

[Justin Carvitto]

This summer I brought back some koa from kauai as well, very curly. I was going to use it on my H5dola... I've decided to bag it for this project and keep with the sugar maple. I'll probably use it for a baratone uke instead. I wanted to use what has worked in the past for an instrument I'll enjoy playing rather than chancing it.

Where did you get your wood?

[minkus]

I got one piece from The Koa Store, but the best place that I found was Hawaiian Scene. They had the best selection and ruff cut pieces for me, including 6 side/rim pieces. They we're supper helpful & patient with my pickiness.

http://www.HawaiianScene.com/

[Justin Carvitto]

Thats where I got mine too. Yeah, they are very nice there.