What Is Figured Koa Wood

Posted 2010 01 21 12 27 am.

What is figured koa wood.

I am looking at a couple of takamine guitars one thats also figure koa. The problem with koa. The spirit of the volcano lives in this tree and radiates from the lumber. If koa is quarter sawn 20 to 50 bf.

Koa lumber with a premium curl can strain your wallet for 60 to 120 bf depending on the intensity of the figure and the reputation of the exotic wood dealer who is selling it. The price of koa may vary as much as any species of hardwood in the world. The grain is interlocked which often causes curly figuring. Koa wood is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain patterns.

Curly koa is also unmatched in price with highly figured material for guitar sets priced as high as 150 bf. I know of no other wood possessing the chatoyancy or range of colors of koa. Most acacia koa has some kind of figure or light or stress curl on it. Any info would be appreciated.

Color ranges from almost white blonde golds honey golds reds all the way to chocolate walnut colors the most varied wood coloration of all woods imo. Thus the supply of koa wood depends significantly on storm frequency. Old growth trees contain the most figured lumber. Is it solid koa wood or a koa veneer on top of another layer.

Plain koa or koa that has no changes in color or figure can be purchased from 15 to 20 bf. Chris allen of koa wood hawaii in kurtistown hawaii cost of koa wood.