Why Koa?

Koa is a widely used tonewood, especially in higher end guitars. While both visual appeal and quality of tone are highly subjective, there are some characteristics we think most people would agree with.

The tone sits between mahogany and rosewood. It’s not particularly boomy or overly deep and has smooth highs without too much chime. Koa really seems to shine in the mid range when new and becomes sweeter up and down the range as it ages and is played. Because of the “right out of the box” mid range and responsiveness to light touch, it really shines for finger pickers and players who like to play dynamically.

The look of koa varies, like all woods do, from standard grains to highly figured and colored. Generally, it is more expensive than mahogany and rosewood for equivalent grades because it is more rare and highly figured koa offers a different aesthetic value. From a luthiers perspective, koa is a stable wood that allows for working and shaping without losing strength- making it a great choice for guitar building.

Many players will say koa opens up quicker than other woods and gains an “old guitar” sound faster. That may be true, but most people don’t buy guitars for the way they may sound in the future; they choose them for the way they sound now and the way they feel in their hands when they play. The way they look is also important- a great looking guitar can inspire us.

This Lowden F-34+ with an Adirondack Spruce top and koa back and sides is an instrument that inspires with its clean, traditional lines and prominent koa grain. Whether quietly picking or adding emotion with heavier dynamics, it shines as a guitar that plays with you and isn’t just played. The pairing with a bright Adirondack Spruce top compliments the mellow tone of koa, or the other way around if you prefer.