Looking at 3 sets of koa for a back (top is spruce) for a new build. Must choose one, and I'm leaning a direction. Wanted to see if folks have a similar opinion.
I voted 3 also. The sapwood is cool, but I am partial to an even interesting grained instrument. Seems more classic; I suppose that makes me pretty conservative .
Any one of the three would make a fine back, you have a hard, but very personal, choice to make. Good luck!
Yes, 4A (AAAA) is better than 3A (AAA). The more A's the more figure and color it should have.
I'm not sure what organization is the arbiter of wood grading.
Yes, 4A (AAAA) is better than 3A (AAA). The more A's the more figure and color it should have.
I'm not sure what organization is the arbiter of wood grading.
AA = straight grain a.k.a. Select
AAA = light curl
AAAA = medium curl
AAAAA = master grade, high curl
LMII says...
"LMI uses a 4A grading scale for soundboards (2nd, 1A (A), 2A (AA), 3A (AAA), 4A, (AAAA), and because we have been around for so long, many other suppliers use a similar scale. Unfortunately, this does not mean that all suppliers grade wood the same way we do. What we call a 2A soundboard could easily be called a 4A grade soundboard by someone else. It’s a frustrating situation for everyone involved and there seems to be little interest in, or method for, coming to a consensus."
Another Tonewood vendor publishes grades of koa as:
"A. Little or no curl; off-quarter cuts allowed
AA. Medium curl, generally quartersawn
AAA. Full curl, generally quartersawn
MASTER. Premium full curl, quartersawn"