Koa guitar in Oahu.

Hey all.

Visiting Oahu and I've noticed several performers at hotels and bars who are playing what looks to be guitars made out of Koa wood. I asked a couple of them where they go it but the only things I have been able to get out of them is that they are custom.

Along story short, anyone know of any local Guitar makers who use koa wood?

Aaaah, you said "guitar"

That'll teach me to skip over posts.

I think Eric DeVine makes Koa guitars.

Pono makes guitars . . . check their website for more info.

Taylor uses koa...

http://http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/woods/body-woods/hawaiian-koa

~Michael

aloha,
might be better able to help you if you were more clear in your definitions. if you have some pictures, that would help.

"koa guitar" can mean any number of things. is it guitar completely, (top, back, sides & neck) made of koa or is it a koa body with different wood neck?
what size guitar was it? a smaller body or a full size dread, was it set up steel strings or nylon?

by "local" do you mean hawaiian local or mainland (panorama city) local?
imho, custom hawaiian luthiers tend to make the best koa bodied or complete guitars because they have the longest history with working with koa, the most hands-on experience of understanding how to best voice the resonance of the wood & access to the best grades.

not many mainland luthiers work with koa because of the cost versus other more available tonewoods.
i know several that would be glad to make one if you could supply the wood.
hope this helps,
mahalo nui,
nate