Cut, Color and Curl

In the old days (????) this type of Koa might have been common place. Now days it is a rarity to have the privilage to work with this type of wood.   This Hawaiian tenor ukulele  exhibits Koa with perfect Cut–meaning quarter sawn or vertical sawn and little out run; great Color–there are three distinct colors to this wood; and, Curl–while not being the smallest or tightest curl, it is consistent and close to spectacular.   Combine the three and you have an outstanding presentation.   I used Mango binding on this instrument with Paua Abalone purfling (I am totally in love with  Mango binding on Koa instruments at the present).  The finger board and bridge are Macassar Ebony.  Tuners are Gotoh UPT 4:1 planetary.  The neck is a lamination of Koa/Koa and Mango to mimOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAick the binding.  Today I strung the instrument up with PHD flourocarbon Hi “G” strings.  I found this ukulele,  in my opinion, to have volume and a warmth that represents the density of this Koa.  This instrument was built primarily for acoustic,  finger-style playing.  I have a few more sets, but…….!
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