Hawaiian Koa (Acacia Koa)

Koa is known to be one of the most beautiful woods ever. Native from the Hawaii Islands, its color may be highly variable, but in most cases offers a golden or reddish-brown hue, with darker brown and black streaks. The grain is often figured, in flamed or curly figures. The quartersawn cuts often show a unique, iridescent shimmer, and a very peculiar D-like aspect.
Tonally Koa is regarded as a middle choice between Mahogany and Rosewood. It has pronounced and detailed mids, while the bass range is dry and clear, somehow less warm than Mahogany. The treble range is sparkling and crispy, with a drier harmonic spread than Rosewood. In some ways, the treble range may resemble the Maple’s one. Overall, Koa offers a balanced, detailed tone, with great attack and projection. It is well known that a Koa guitar may be sometimes hard and dry when new, but will continue to mature steadily, developing a more vibrant tone along with playing time.
Koa is used for back and sides, and sometimes also soundboards for acoustic guitars for both tonal and aesthetic reasons. In the electric world, it is used as a top, usually coupled with Mahogany bodies.