(Shown: K24ce)
Overview: As a tropical hardwood, a koa top will initially project a sparkling, focused tone, especially together with koa back and sides. But much of koa's sonic appeal comes with time and play — as the wood matures, its low-end character will emerge, yielding more warmth, depth, and sweetness with an added touch of overtone bloom in the midrange.
Origin: The Big Island of Hawaii
Goes Well With: Fingerstylists who play more with the pads of their fingers and tend to have a meatier touch or flatpickers who want the clarity in the treble range to cut through to the front of a mix. As the wood matures, strumming and fingerpicking will grow warmer and more resonant.
