Curly Koa pics

billcarr · Apr 6, 2013

Totally fascinated by my own curly Koa uke. Not only the sound but also the way the wood appears to be alive and move in waves as the light hits it at different angles.

Would be cool to see photos of other curly koa ukes. Here is mine.

Bill

Raygf · Apr 6, 2013

That is lovely koa! I heard someone doing a review for a shop use the term chatoyan t to describe the effect. It's a jeweler's term used to describe tiger's eye and other stones with a changeable luster. I think it's a very fitting term. My walnut and curly koa ukuleles are real gems to me.

wayfarer75 · Apr 6, 2013

Got lucky with my Kelii--the wood is fairly curly.

"Chatoyant" is a great word.

mm stan · Apr 6, 2013

Wow Congrats all that are some nice ukes....makes me so jealous...

bluesuke · Apr 6, 2013

Raygf said:
That is lovely koa! I heard someone doing a review for a shop use the term chatoyan t to describe the effect. It's a jeweler's term used to describe tiger's eye and other stones with a changeable luster. I think it's a very fitting term. My walnut and curly koa ukuleles are real gems to me.

That is a Beautiful Glyph. Is that new? I don't remember seeing that on his website .

Raygf · Apr 6, 2013

bluesuke said:
That is a Beautiful Glyph. Is that new? I don't remember seeing that on his website .

Thank you! It will be 2 years old in July. The picture does not do it justice. Here's a recent video with it. Watch in 720p. I consider myself very fortunate to own one of Dave's ukuleles and to have met him and consider him a friend. He lives 30 minutes from me. What a great guy. I wish he were taking orders, I would love a myrtle mezzo soprano Glyph. Maybe some day.

EDIT: People have been asking for a tab for this. I use the one at Dominator Ukulele Tabs. Thanks Dom! (I do not play it as written.)

Frax · Apr 6, 2013

One of the most beautiful curly koa I've ever seen is the one made by Gérard. MUST see :

http://www.ukulele.fr/forum/index.php?topic=13935.msg151429#msg151429

My hugest mistake is I haven't purchased this beauty. And it's too late now...
I just love its waves, sweet honey tan

edit : I understand you guys, your curly koa babies are just awesome !!!

gerardg · Apr 6, 2013

Thank's Frax.
Here my Soprano Pineapple, winter 2009-10 made...
O.P.F. (Danish Oil).
Love the way mahogany neck going darker with years...

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

gerardg · Apr 6, 2013

Love also this curly koa bookmatched headplate veener.
From a soprano longneck 16" scale, pineapple body...

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

hobblecreek · Apr 6, 2013

Collings has three absolutely stunning custom Koa ukuleles on their website. I am lucky to own the UC3 they used for "regular" instrument photos.

The Big Kahuna · Apr 6, 2013

hobblecreek said:
Collings has three absolutely stunning custom Koa ukuleles on their website. I am lucky to own the UC3 they used for "regular" instrument photos.

View attachment 51445 View attachment 51446 View attachment 51447

Holy crap! Antique violin sunburst, my favourite finish on any instrument (ok, so it looks a bit stupid on a gong, but you know what I mean).

Anyway, my babies...first, the nicest piece of Koa laminate you'll see on a Fender NoHea:

And my other Uke:

Raygf · Apr 6, 2013

That is very nice laminate on the Fender and a great big
+1
on this beauty!

The Big Kahuna said:
And my other Uke:

wickedwahine11 · Apr 6, 2013

My Kamaka and Kamoa have some curl, and I would absolutely love a KoAloha tenor with some curl. My Kanilea is curly koa though.

wmboy · Apr 6, 2013

The most fascinating curls that I have seen are on Koa Kanilea K1C Premium. Bookmatched top and back have 3D curls running sideways and a deeper wood figuring layer beneath. My dealer saw two 八 figures, which stands for 8 in Chinese characters. Making it an almost compelling reason to buy this uke for display. Tone wise is very warm, mellow.

Gadzukes! · Apr 6, 2013

I've always lived this one from DeVine:

The Big Kahuna · Apr 6, 2013

wmboy said:
The most fascinating curls that I have seen are on Koa Kanilea K1C Premium. Bookmatched top and back have 3D curls running sideways and a deeper wood figuring layer beneath. My dealer saw two 八 figures, which stands for 8 in Chinese characters. Making it an almost compelling reason to buy this uke for display. Tone wise is very warm, mellow.
View attachment 51453 View attachment 51454 View attachment 51455

Oh man, that's unbelievably beautiful!

The Big Kahuna · Apr 6, 2013

I'm pretty sure we aren't going to get a similar thread to this, asking for people to post Cedar pictures

GASguy · Apr 6, 2013

I know that there is koa out there with more curl, but I like the way my Kaneli'a super tenor looks; and since someone previously posting included walnut, I included my Kaneli'a flame walnut tenor.

Patrick Madsen · Apr 6, 2013

My Webber Baritone and wonderful Griffin Tenor

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Apr 6, 2013

Curly koa is nice to look at but don't be fooled by a pretty girl's face. Sometimes the plainer ones are a better match for you. There is a LOT to consider when choosing koa as a tone wood. Curl only satisfies the visual aspect. Some curly koa I see used on ukuleles are a disaster waiting to happen down the road.

Curly Koa pics

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