Flamed or curly Koa is one of my favorite woods for guitars. The natural golden brown colour with dark streaks presents beautifully when the flame and curl are this pronounced. I've mostly used Koa for my acoustic Hawaiian guitars, but once in a while it finds its way onto other instruments that I build.
I'm pleased to present this new model "The Continental". An electric I designed exclusively for The Music Emporium, a stringed instrument mecca located in Lexington Massachusetts. For the top, I used a presentation grade Pommele Sapele cap over a hollow western red Alder body. I fabricated the aluminum tailpiece from 1/8" stock, shaped it and let it in flush to the end of the body. The bridge has an Ivoroid celluloid base with an ebony top, capped in bone. This is the first one that I've made for the Emporium, more of this model to follow.
I just completed this Hawaiian King lap steel for Don Rooke, one of the finest lap steel, Dobro, and Weissenborn /Kona players that you'll hear anywhere. Don fronts and composes for his band, The Henrys, an eclectic mix of roots jazz and world music, featuring various vocalists as well as beautiful textural instrumental landscapes.
