best brace wood for koa

Looking for options on the best brace wood for koa

Sitka spruce

I will follow this with interest. Koa for me is a historical wood that was used on original ukes because that's what locally was available to build instruments. I would think that for the little bracing that is on ukes they likely used koa for that as well. Hopefully someone with knowledge about the inside of ukes can provide more insight.

Sitka spruce

Being from Alaska I do know a thing or two about it. Yes Sitka Spruce is a fine and time proven good brace wood. But like all of the woods of this world they are not all the same. I routinely reject more than half of it I get. It REALLY depends on where it grew and how it was cut. I cut the bracing blanks then I put them in my hands and bend them and tap them. Usually the tighter the rings the better they are. I am not sure that Sitka is the best but I have a lot of it to pick from. I am tempted to try Paduak as it is very strong and rings like a bell. It is always hard to try something new to find out what is the best.

Engelmann spruce is close to Sitka, and may or may not be easier to get.