show your koa top guitars

[bforest4]

Let's see some killer koa tops!

[sparky_8]

I'll play
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sparky_8/driskill/finisheddriskillbestangle.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sparky_8/driskill/finisheddriskillangled.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/sparky_8/driskill/finisheddriskillwhole.jpg

Sounds as good as it looks. Cocobolo neck and fretboard, mahogany back, koa top. Has some great midrange to it which is what I was looking for. Seems like a perfect balance between treble and bass.

[JMintzer]

My Thorn Artisan Master #147:

http://pic14.picturetrail.com:80/VOL504/702387/9777149/230550848.jpg

Do back's count?

My Tacoma EK-36C

http://pic14.picturetrail.com:80/VOL504/702387/5915905/75935461.jpg


Jamie

[fretnot]

One of my Heatley Standards...

Koa top, 3 piece Koa neck, and Koa headstock veneer. Is that enough Koa? :drool

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/fullfrnt.jpg

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/fullback.jpg

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/top3.jpg

[sparky_8]

One of my Heatley Standards...

Koa top, 3 piece Koa neck, and Koa headstock veneer. Is that enough Koa? :drool

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/fullfrnt.jpg

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/fullback.jpg

http://www.heatleyguitars.com/BriansKoaStandard/top3.jpg


How does the koa neck sound? I thought about this when I ordered my Driskill but couldn't find anyone that had one. Beautiful guitar you have there.

Jamie,
Yours is ok too. I'll buy it from you for $1600 so you can double your investment. :)

[fretnot]

The koa neck sounds great...like good mahogany. I happen to have a Heatley Standard with a mahogany neck, and that also sounds great, so it is obviously more than the neck. The whole guitar is first class, so that contributes to the sound as well. :AOK

(your Driskill is sweet, by the way!)

[sparky_8]

The koa neck sounds great...like good mahogany. I happen to have a Heatley Standard with a mahogany neck, and that also sounds great, so it is obviously more than the neck. The whole guitar is first class, so that contributes to the sound as well. :AOK

(your Driskill is sweet, by the way!)
Thanks.

I think what you are getting at is that the builder has a lot to do with the way the guitar sounds. Components etc have a lot to do with it to but the hands that build it and the care that goes into what they do contribute a lot to the sound of the instrument.

[fretnot]

Thanks.

I think what you are getting at is that the builder has a lot to do with the way the guitar sounds. Components etc have a lot to do with it to but the hands that build it and the care that goes into what they do contribute a lot to the sound of the instrument.

In so many words, yes. ;)

[WayneM]

Thorn Artisan Standard #100
Inlaid Koa top and Headstock overlay, Stripped Mahogany 1 pc body and neck.
Purfling, nut and bobbins stabilized Maple. PU rings and Fretboard Cocobola.

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/images/gallerypics/100_1.jpg

[sparky_8]

Thorn Artisan Standard #100
Inlaid Koa top and Headstock overlay, Stripped Mahogany 1 pc body and neck.
Purfling, nut and bobbins stabilized Maple. PU rings and Fretboard Cocobola.

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/images/gallerypics/100_1.jpg
That makes for a really cool "binding" on the sides. How deep does the top go in? Sound any different than traditional tops? That's really unique. I love it.

[WayneM]

The inlay top is .25" thick and the body is chambered.
The body sounds like a all Mahogany guitar.
The PU's are Ron Thorns' spec'd modified Wagners.

Not a brite guitar in HB mode..full sounding, but, split the HB's then it cuts right through a mix.

[imissmj]

http://www.chrisandtammy.us/customartist.jpg

[dkaplowitz]

My humble contribution...

http://www02.homepage.villanova.edu/david.kaplowitz/images/guits/HDTfull2.jpg

[Jack Briggs]

Currently residing at:
http://www.maverick-music.com/scripts/vintage-guitars.asp?idproduct=1447

http://www.briggsguitars.com/www/images/051.jpg

[eric102673]

Why do the koa threads always devolve into a Thorn dogpile?

Still in progress obviously, so not in my posession yet, but how about a Koa top...

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/14911439/225116014.jpg

back...
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/14911439/225115985.jpg

and insides...
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/2011375/131538962.jpg

Koa through and through, baby. Crappy pics but something to behold in person.

-e.

[dyer_maker]

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edyer_maker/DSCN5399.jpg

[tommc]

Melancon P-90 Artist


http://www.twmzone.com/mel/images/ISude.jpghttp://www.twmzone.com/mel/images/OCloseTop.jpg

[sparky_8]

I'm loving this thread. Those couple of koa burst are great. Loving that look. I bet they are all tone monsters too.

[dbeeman]

Here's mine. Needed a top for the SSC system ;)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h129/dbeeman/6c9de8ef.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h129/dbeeman/IMG_0549.jpg

[paintguy]

That's some awesome koa guys!!!!:drool

I hope to share my koa creation someday;)

[Scott Peterson]

I am so down with this thread, it's silly.

Bringin' the Melancons... BOOM! Koa gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/48218ab7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/4dd6b642.jpg

[sparky_8]

I am so down with this thread, it's silly.

Bringin' the Melancons... BOOM! Koa gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/48218ab7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/4dd6b642.jpg
Bout time you showed up! That T style is out of this world!

[Pa'ani]

Thanks guys for the gorgeous and absolutely stunning koa guitar pics.
It makes me home sick...

[Mr Graphic]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/DAT12/Personal%20Guitars/GMPV020.jpgMy old GMP V.

[Shreve]

More Thorn dogpile koa crap! :crazy

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL524/634537/14689317/244357574.jpg

[prsflame]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/ishmael109/131_24.jpg

[big mike]

This will be the top of thorn 149

http://homepage.mac.com/big_mike/.Pictures/Thorn%20Guitar%20Builder/koa2005_h15.jpg


Headstock overlay...

http://homepage.mac.com/big_mike/.Pictures/Thorn%20Guitar%20Builder/140_2.jpg

[WayneM]

How about four pages of Koa guitars?

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/customguitarhtm/po-top-koa1.htm

[daveS]

THE PRESENT...............

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSCN1071.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSCN1070.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSC01070-1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSC01072.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSCN0048.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSCN0067.jpg






THE FUTURE.........................

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d49/dmsang/DSCN0498.jpg

[whoofnagle]

At some point will be Thorn SC#09

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9674/sc091db6.jpg

[Pa'ani]

Those Thorn Koa Tops are just outrageously stunning!

[soldano16]

Thanks for the show guys. That was stunning stuff. Congrats to all the lucky owners of those beautiful guitars.

[Ipressthebutton]

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/ipressthebutton/exp-sh-koa-6s-cust-arc.jpg

[atquinn]

Hamer Mirage I

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/atquinn1975/Mirage.jpg

-Austin

[jtg116]

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10127/normal_Nice_Body.JPGone from a master Melancon

One I assembled-

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10127/normal_Overview_tele.JPG

[graydane]

Here is my 1 piece blonda KOA Thorn

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/graydane/DSCN0422.jpg


Here is a shot of the headstock

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/graydane/DSCN0408.jpg

[Douglas Baines]

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u79/ipressthebutton/exp-sh-koa-6s-cust-arc.jpg


AWESOME!

[daveS]

Here is my 1 piece blonda KOA Thorn

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/graydane/DSCN0422.jpg


Here is a shot of the headstock

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/graydane/DSCN0408.jpg

WHOA ! This is my all time favorite Koa fiddle . . . it's waaaay more stunning in person !

[Prs Poor]

Had to have expected a lot of Thorn's. Here is mine - HB 05:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/wcomp10632/hb05_3.jpg

[GuitarGuy510]

At some point will be Thorn SC#09

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9674/sc091db6.jpg

WOW!!! I can't wait to see that one turn into a Thorn!!! :cool:

[dkbmusic]

Here's a nice tele...

http://fretspot.com/images/img_2894.jpg

[tequilaboy85]

Ron Thorn has the best koa in the world!
Hope that mine will be as good as the ones that are in this thread!

[mainsale]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/BluesFest07005.jpg

[mainsale]

Do basses count?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b61/Mainsale/Guitars010.jpg

[Pa'ani]

Thanks for the pics of those beautiful Koa Tops.
I'm getting homesick for the the islands...

[Jim S]

Larrivee J 10 KK

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20Larrivee%20Jumbo%20koa/LV_J_KK_front_in_sun.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/IntenseJim/Jim%20Larrivee%20Jumbo%20koa/Larrivee_koa_jumbo_back_close.jpg

[BKRMON]

More Thorn Polexia-grade Koa :

http://www.thornguitars.com/images/gallerypics/057_10.jpg

[Chris Rice]

Those Thorns have some gorgeous wood. Very nice!

Here's one for ya:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/KoaHog/koahog2-1.jpg

[george4908]

Home brew koa over swamp ash.

http://snipurl.com/1rkz8

[WayneM]

George,

You did a great jop on that Tele.....killer!

[fusionbear]

Curly Koa over a chambered koa back. Pao Ferro neck.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u223/fusionbear/DSCN0358.jpg

[StuBrew]

Here's my new one:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3118.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3124.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3123.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3121.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3117.jpg

[fusionbear]

Very, very nice stubrew! What pups did you get?

[StuBrew]

Very, very nice stubrew! What pups did you get?

DSH Bridge and the noiseless single coils in the neck and middle, putting them through their paces at the mo. Im impressed with the "stratyness" of the noiseless pup's, very chimey.

[Kalalau Hiker]

Here is my 1 piece blonda KOA Thorn

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/graydane/DSCN0422.jpg


Here is a shot of the headstock



so YOU own that! WOW! - congrats

I think that's the one I saw on the Thorn site that is my ALL time favorite natural wood guitar.
I love how the Koa grain/flame pattern goes into the pup covers - did you specify that to Ron? BEAUTIFUL - great job on the idea and execution of course by Ron.
are there more than one with that type of flame grain on it?
btw - I am a total 3 P90 ho right now (recently got a PRS, Hamer, and Reverend 3 P90 in addition to a Buscarino I already had ... I am in love with the beefy strat on steroids sound and the outa phase 2 and 4 tones that you miss on a non strat guitar) ... wondering what kind of pups are in that and how it sounds? assume it's a mahogany body?

again .. WOW - that's stunning! how bout some full body and other shots? do you have a link to more shots of that on the Thorn Forum?

Thanks... Bob
if you suddenly attain enlightenment and give away all your possessions ... I'd be glad to help you escape that "most beautiful Koa guitar" attachment ... no problem!

[r9player]

Love those 1 piece bodies! Thorn must've raided a Koa forest at some point in time!

[BCR Greg]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/unkagreg/guitars/Robin/07KoaRangerpallet.jpg

[funkle]

Pales in comparison to some of these beauties. But here's mine:

http://www.speakeasy.org/~sven/auctions/holdsworth/images/dscn9975.jpg

http://www.speakeasy.org/~sven/auctions/holdsworth/images/dscn9978.jpg

[puppetyr]

Here's my new one:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/stubrew/DSCF3118.jpg


Nice! Is that the one from soundsgreatmusic?

Here's my koa Anderson HDT:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/puppetyr/Koa%20Anderson%20HDT/netpic15.jpg

[cSuttle]

WHOA!!!! Now that's some wood. AWESOME!!!!!

[Zilmo]

My Thorn Artisan Master #147:

http://pic14.picturetrail.com:80/VOL504/702387/9777149/230550848.jpg



Jamie

Just wicked.

[enr1co]

If my wife ever decides she wants all new furniture, I should be able to have a few guitar tops made from this ;)


http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1750.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1749.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1754.JPG

[* velcro-fly *]

Waiting to become guitars...head shells....bwahahahahaahhhhaa ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/speedmonkey1/Koalumber.jpg

Steve E

[Chris T]

Melancon P90

http://members.aol.com/cwtugwell/mel

[paintguy]

If my wife ever decides she wants all new furniture, I should be able to have a few guitar tops made from this ;)


http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1750.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1749.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/IMG_1754.JPG

That's some beautiful stuff. Just stunning!!!! I'm in complete awe...

[tkozal]

Look, something with one less string, and bigger! I know its not a small company, but they do koa very nicely...plus I finally got pics up. This is set up E-C, I wanted a mid-priced version of that Steve Swallow sound. Very warm and chocolately...ummmmm.... The piezo really helps chords ring out. Very woody..women love this bass....


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc170/tkozal/DSCN1918.jpg
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc170/tkozal/DSCN1917.jpg

[Kalalau Hiker]

My Melancon Custom Artist w Fralins and solid Rosewood neck (and pup covers)

http://www.deanguitars.com/userpics/lib6/IMG_1720RotateResz34.jpg

http://www.deanguitars.com/userpics/lib6/IMG_1710Resz34.jpg

http://www.deanguitars.com/userpics/lib6/IMG_0238_1_MelanconResz60.jpghttp://www.deanguitars.com/userpics/lib6/IMG_1707rotate34.jpg

[Scott Peterson]

Damn fine guitars all around, but that Melancon Tele? DAMN. (There's a bunch in the thread, including mine so covering lot of bases. :D)

Love this thread,.

Here's some new shots I just took of my two; you've seen them before, but well, more is better). :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconTHeadstock.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconS.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconT.jpg

[r9player]

So Scott is there any real difference between the guitars in sound and playability?

Damn fine guitars all around, but that Melancon Tele? DAMN. (There's a bunch in the thread, including mine so covering lot of bases. :D)

Love this thread,.

Here's some new shots I just took of my two; you've seen them before, but well, more is better). :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconTHeadstock.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconS.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconT.jpg

[AlanB]

Here are my three ( although not all electric):

Asher Ben Harper Signature lapsteel
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x306/AB50/DSC00517_2-1.jpg

Asher Royal Hawaiian Weissenborn-style acoustic
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x306/AB50/DSC00525_2.jpg

Early '20's Weissenborn Style 1 acoustic
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x306/AB50/DSC00523_2.jpg

Thanks!

AlanB
My gear site: homepage.mac.com/myguitars/

[paintguy]

Damn fine guitars all around, but that Melancon Tele? DAMN. (There's a bunch in the thread, including mine so covering lot of bases. :D)

Love this thread,.

Here's some new shots I just took of my two; you've seen them before, but well, more is better). :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconSisters.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconTHeadstock.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconS.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/spetersonmusic/102007MelanconT.jpg

Damn Scott,

those 2 seem to look better as time goes by. What a nice pair:BEER

[Tim Pourciau]

Those Thorns are awesome!! Here's my Koa. This is the most beautiful guitar i have ever seen in person and it is all mine. Don't sound too shabby either. Actually i love this guitar, it looks great, plays great and sounds great. Shitty pictures though. terrible lighting.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/tpourciau/100_1311-1.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/tpourciau/100_1293.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/tpourciau/100_1257.jpg

[Plowdoggy]

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l154/Plowdoggy/Reuter.jpgJohn Reuter

[Chris]

If my wife ever decides she wants all new furniture, I should be able to have a few guitar tops made from this ;)


Buy her some new furniture NOW!

McInturff Royal T:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL240/1260664/18000882/282016699.jpg

[Ron Thorn]

How about a triple threat of consecutive cuts?

http://thornguitars.com/images/gallerypics/bop2.jpg

:D :D :D

[fugot]

Can I own one of these? (SERIOUS) Like the hardtail on the right. WOW. I MEAN OH MY GOODNESS WOW.....

[Ron Thorn]

Sorry Fugot,
The 3 were shipped as a complete set to my Japanese dealers last year. They sold them as a set for $40K :jo.
Ron

[Drowned Rabbit]

Sorry Fugot,
The 3 were shipped as a complete set to my Japanese dealers last year. They sold them as a set for $40K :jo.
Ron

I can't think of anyway I'd rather spend $40k!

Still love my Jr90, by the way.
I named him "switchblade" :cool:

[r9player]

wow that's crazy money!

[Ron Thorn]

"Switchblade"...I like it :BEER

Crazy money indeed, and to clarify - that's not what I sold them to the dealer for, hence the head-smack smiley. :crazy

Thanks guys,
Ron

[Scott Peterson]

So Scott is there any real difference between the guitars in sound and playability?

The tele is brighter and doesn't have the girth and bloom. The only difference between the two is hardtail on the tele and trem (locked down via Tremol-No) on the strat shape. Same pickups, same woods, same everything. Playability is a wash, same specs.

FWIW, once I get flush financially again, I will be getting a Thorn SC and a few Melancons. Well off in the future 'right' now, but once I can, I will.

All will sport.... Koa. :D

[Kalalau Hiker]

Buy her some new furniture NOW!

McInturff Royal T:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL240/1260664/18000882/282016699.jpg

that's REALLY nice Cris!
any full shots of that? assume that's a 5 way switch - what does the little switch do?
I love 3 P90s - strat on steroids ..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good!

[Chris]

Thanks! No full pics handy, sorry. The mini toggle turns the middle pickup on and off -- it's a three-way. Fairly good way to go about it, I find. Relatively intuitive. The only thing you don't get is the middle pickup by itself.

EDIT: uploaded a full shot.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL240/1260664/18000882/285328032.jpg

[BKRMON]

...locked down via Tremol-No

Thanks, Scott

I will check that out!

[enr1co]

My Anderson Koa Atom

http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/11/3/IMG_009.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7378.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7355.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7383.JPG

[Kalalau Hiker]

How about a triple threat of consecutive cuts?

http://thornguitars.com/images/gallerypics/bop2.jpg

:D :D :D

those are exquisite Ron - at the top of my TGP most wanted list.
the middle one would be my choice of guitar over house down payment.

So - just got to Japan with $15 or $20K? NO problem! ;)

[mikef1331]

This is a GREAT thread!:dude

Someday I will have a Koa Thorn of my own.:)

Chris: Very Cool McInturff, I really like the Saturn inlays on the fretboard.

[puppetyr]

My Anderson Koa Atom

http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/11/3/IMG_009.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7378.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7355.JPG
http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3577307/2007/10/4/Copy_of_IMG_7383.JPG

Gorgeous! :BEER

[G Flat]

Thought I'd chime in with these (hope the pics work as I can't see anything from web storage sites at work)

Suhr Reb Beach Sig... Koa body, Pau Ferro neck and for sale over in the classifieds!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/Herbie12/1827_1.jpg http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/Herbie12/1827_3.jpg

[WayneM]

Think Mahogany for tone ......very close to Koa

[Pa'ani]

Ron Thorn has an amazing stash of stunning koa.
Those Thorns are just incredible and beautiful!

[mmarconi]

Aloha All,
My first post!...Now THIS IS KOA...My Bear Creek Artist/Collector, I ordered this guitar when Bill Hardin & I both lived on the Big Island...We waited till we found This Koa...Mike
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/014.jpg



The Binding is Rosewood and Beech, The Tone Kills...Mike

[Douglas Baines]

Aloha All,
My first post!...Now THIS IS KOA...My Bear Creek Artist/Collector, I ordered this guitar when Bill Hardin & I both lived on the Big Island...We waited till we found This Koa...Mike

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/014.jpg?t=1195191106

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/015.jpg?t=1195191240

The Binding is Rosewood and Beech, The Tone Kills...Mike

beauty man! i really like the "rope" binding.

[mmarconi]

I Love this guitar!
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/015.jpg

[mmarconi]

Thanks Doug, It's playable art!
Mike

[Kalalau Hiker]

Aloha All,
My first post!...Now THIS IS KOA...My Bear Creek Artist/Collector, I ordered this guitar when Bill Hardin & I both lived on the Big Island...We waited till we found This Koa...Mike
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/014.jpg



The Binding is Rosewood and Beech, The Tone Kills...Mike

WOW! - welcome aboard Mike! that's beautiful! what kind of sounds you get out if that?

btw - check out the Sound Lounge - there's a thread re the song Over the Rainbow with Iz on there.

also - do you go to Kauai often - that's my favorite place on earth, now that I can no longer go to Sri Lanka (due to the endless war there ... lots of friends are in Jaffna where the insurrection is)

do you hike the Kalalau Trail in Kauai? it's a sort of pilgrimage for my daughter and I ... actually .. Honopu Trail is even more so.

[clarkram]

A little late to the party, but if link works this is my Thorn hollowbody.

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/images/hb-pics/hb002-22.jpg

[Kalalau Hiker]

here ya go

http://www.thornguitargallery.com/images/hb-pics/hb002-22.jpg

[Scott Peterson]

Insane. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BachToRock]

Here is a pair that belonged together...
The Pawnshop Special was my very first GMP!
These two baby's are one serial number apart... it just had to be...
http://members.cox.net/gmpguitars/KoaPawnshopV.jpg
Closer view... check out the abalone binding!
http://members.cox.net/gmpguitars/KoaPawnshopVCloseup.jpg

[ogredog]

wow guys...
all of these guitars are beautiful !
the thorns just blow me away...
are they all custom order?
what's the price range?
got me gassin' pretty bad right now...
thanks...i think?

[* velcro-fly *]

Aloha All,
My first post!...Now THIS IS KOA...My Bear Creek Artist/Collector, I ordered this guitar when Bill Hardin & I both lived on the Big Island...We waited till we found This Koa...Mike
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc148/mmarconi61/014.jpg



The Binding is Rosewood and Beech, The Tone Kills...Mike


Absolutely awesome :AOK I've lusted over a Bear Creek for a few years now....here's a couple of shots of my Takeya / Kascha Uke :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/speedmonkey1/takeya3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/speedmonkey1/takeya2.jpg

And the koa lumber in my garage that will eventually become a Style 4 like yours:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/speedmonkey1/Koalumber.jpg

Aloha

[amc]

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q199/amc115-photos/IMG_0505.jpg

This Koa beauty is my short-horn BC Rich Mockingbird Supreme

[JMintzer]

In the time since this thread was resurrected, this lil' gem arrived...

http://pic14.picturetrail.com:80/VOL504/702387/18865758/300067061.jpg


Jamie

[Rocco Siffredi]

Here is a pair that belonged together...
The Pawnshop Special was my very first GMP!
These two baby's are one serial number apart... it just had to be...
http://members.cox.net/gmpguitars/KoaPawnshopV.jpg
Closer view... check out the abalone binding!
http://members.cox.net/gmpguitars/KoaPawnshopVCloseup.jpg

Nice set. I still want another Pawn Shop!

[fugot]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/fugot/electric%20guitars/warrior/kc%2017/warriorkc17032.jpg

[paintguy]

My ex-McNaught. Back home with the original owner

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/paintguylarry/DSCN4243.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/paintguylarry/DSCN4248.jpg

[Urkoman]

Well, my koa top does not look as great as some here...

















but it´s not a top, it´s a full koa body :D
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/urkoman/Pict0036.jpg

[eric102673]

Well, my koa top does not look as great as some here...but it´s not a top, it´s a full koa body :D

Mine too. 1 piece. And koa tuner buttons and P-90 covers. Resurrected from page 1 of the thread, but in it's completed form. Sorry about the invisible BRW neck in the last pic, but it's so dark it pretty much disappeared on the backdrop. The 2nd shot caught enough glare from bright sunlight to actually show up. :)

-e.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663862.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663857.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663849.jpg

[bouteqtive]

Mine too. 1 piece. And koa tuner buttons and P-90 covers. Resurrected from page 1 of the thread, but in it's completed form. Sorry about the invisible BRW neck in the last pic, but it's so dark it pretty much disappeared on the backdrop. The 2nd shot caught enough glare from bright sunlight to actually show up. :)

-e.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663862.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663857.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663849.jpg

good lord! that belongs in a museum. how much did that cost? :crazy

[mojocaster.com]

MojoTwanger (http://MojoTwanger.com) T-style Koa top:

http://mojocaster.com/photos/Koa/mini-DSC09018.JPG

http://mojocaster.com/photos/Koa/mini-DSC09014.JPG

http://mojocaster.com/photos/Koa/mini-DSC09011.JPG

[Mike Dresch]

This one actually looks a bit different now. I routed out a humbucker in the neck and installed a Sustainiac there with a mini humbucker. Also have rosewood pick up rings on her now. But this is the only photo I've got for a little while. Solid Koa back and flame Koa top. Pau Ferro neck with Brazilian rosewood board. Love this guitar!

http://a841.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_1aa4a5f54ee46844f1363fb5e7b2f1e0.jpg

[todd richman]

eric, that is simply beautiful. More info please.

[Shreve]

eric, that is simply beautiful. More info please.

Unbelieveable guitar. Noodled on it this past weekend.

[eric102673]

eric, that is simply beautiful. More info please.

What can I say? Hm...

About 8 years back, I was a fan of the PRS McCarty Rosewood Standard soapbars. Just solid mahogany body and solid RW neck. Pair of soapbars. Great combo, with a huge grand piano like tone. I owned a couple. My beef was they always felt a little stiff and hi-fi to me. Once other guitars came into my life, they went bye bye. The thing is I started missing that whollop that came from the RW neck.

Fast forward a few years and Ron Thorn pulls this body blank out and says I should see it. I claimed it as soon as I laid eyes on it. I found out after he'd started building this guitar that he confessed he'd been saving the body blank for himself. I of course felt like an ass afterward but he said he knew I'd want it, which is why he showed it to me in the first place. I think he was trying to make me feel better about it.

Anyhoo, so this was something of an homage to a few diferent guitars I've owned in the past, but all rolled up into one glorious package. On it's surface it is 2 very stunning pieces of wood. That fabulous koa body and the fantastic old growth BRW neck. It's super duper dark dark. Almost ebony like. Quartersawn, stright grain. Feels like polished marble in the hand.

So at it's core it's a very simple guitar, with great sounding woods, and meant to be played. Now, that said, knowing how once in a lifetime this piece of wood was, and also that neck blank, I went a little heavier in the direction of glitz than normally appeals to me. Gold hardware, BRW wood appointments, like the trem tip and knobs. Matching koa P-90 covers and tuner buttons. The usual Thorn touches. I splurged on the 14k gold purfling which runs around the headstock, neck and body, side dots and inlay at the 12th fret . Lucky I did too, cause I can't do that again. Prices on gold spiked not long after we did it. Went ahead and did the gold alloy frets too. Any other guitar and it'd be all Louis the XIV, but looks tasteful and nifty on this guitar.

It's a fine line between just right and over the top. I think this one turned out exactly right.

22 frets 25" scale
1 piece Thorn tremolo
3 Lollar P-90s.
Locking tuners
The switching is a traditional 3-way and a push pull on the tone control.
The 3-way gives you the traditional LP Special switching, neck / neck & bridge / bridge. Pulling up the tone knob kicks in the middle pickup so you can get those cool strat pos. 2 & 4 in-between tones with the neck/middle and middle/bridge.

Koa pretty much sounds like mahogany with maybe a little less muddy low end ass to it, but the BRW really gives a rich tight low end combined with the koa, so this guitar isn't lacking in bottom end.

The body looks different from every angle as the figure totally alive, and the wood looks like it's glowing from the inside.

Ron builds a great fiddle. I think this one is exceptional.

Here's a couple more for the road...

http://pic50.picturetrail.com:80/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663850.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com:80/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663865.jpg

http://pic50.picturetrail.com:80/VOL438/646473/20044696/324663870.jpg
-e.

[bouteqtive]

good lord. great guitar, great story, thats a guitar fit for a king. care to share the price?

[eric102673]

Honestly? Been so long and so many years, I don't even know where to start.
The only thing I can say for sure is that it was quite a bit less than my old PRS Private Stock (8K), which was the most I ever spent on a guitar and subsequently sold off years later. The Private Stock was pretty straight forward in terms of build. HBI with mahogany body, maple top. P-90s. Again, completely built to be a player. Single bird inlay at 12th fret but no expensive materials like the Thorn, and neck carve on the PRS was stock.

The neck on the Thorn is a pseudo V. It's based off of 2 carves. The neck on the '56 Strat that I inherited from my Uncle, which is super big with a nice rounded V shape, that makes the thickness feel much thinner, and my usual neck carve from Ron. We split the differences in the dimensions and it turned out feeling great. He also super-rolled the fretboard edges.

That said, you can't put a price on something like this anyway. I don't think Ron could build another if he wanted to. The woods of this quality and size are next to impossible to source. Especially these days. Right now? I guess that mean's it's priceless. :D

AFA it being fit for a King, we'll I certainly ain't that. It's a beauty though, but it's a real player. Definitely not wall art or arm candy.

-e.

[Shark Diver]

My favorite Suhr I own to date.


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll216/sharkdiver1/9361-082708_01-1.jpg http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll216/sharkdiver1/9361-082708_17.jpg

[HoboMan]

Solid Koa with two piece Koa neck.

http://www.communityofficesupply.com/images/git/tl601.jpg

[GuitarGuy510]

-e, I didn't think that koa artisan could be any nicer than the pictures depicted and boy was I wrong! One of the most amazing pieces of playable art I've ever seen man, congrats again. Ron did a superb job with that baby! :love:

[Chris Rice]

mine
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/chriskoastripe/013_14.jpg