Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm looking for that Taylor "presentation grade" stuff that looks so nice. I don't see matching sets around from the usual suspects. I contacted Volcano Guitar Works (used to be a sponsor), but no response yet. Their latest news on the website was 16 months old, so I'm not hopeful.

Of course, LMI sells it, but I refuse to pay that kind of money ($595) for a set I can't see a picture of before I buy it (sorry Chris).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Laurie

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Not sure if this helps or not:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hawaiian-Koa-Ac ... 51a0929df9

I haven't purchased anything from this seller . . . Just found it in a quick search.

Good luck.

I've been happy with the koa B/S sets purchased from the following:

Bob Gleason http://www.pegasusguitars.com/
Bruce Creps http://www.notablewoods.com

Note: more flame, more $s!

Bruce Kreps at Notable Tonewoods is terrific to work with -- he sold me an amazing set of fiddleback koa from his unpublished stash for a baritone commission back in April. He's a real standup guy, and had the best material I could find anywhere online. He sells much of his best stuff to Breedlove and Taylor, for their "presentation" lines, but keeps a few sets back for just such an occasion as mine.

Ken

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

I've dealt with anmura, the seller in the link in StephenW's post. No disappointments - I would do so again.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

+1

Laurie, LMI will send you photos of their wood if you ask....I've had photos from them before to choose "just the right" back/sides set.

Cheers,
Dave F.

+1 more for Anmura on eBay - exactly as described/photographed.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

I bought a beautiful set from Volcano Guitar Works back in March. I found them to be extremely responsive... not sure what the problem may have been for others. Awesome flame. Not inexpensive!! ($130 as I recall).

Try them again.

Mike

anamura on e-bay, +1, but caveat emptor , sometimes prices are bidded way up $$$$$

I like curlykoa.com.

+1 on Notable - Da Kine koa at really good prices!!
Cheers
Charlie

This was from LMI, sight unseen and pretty expensive



and this from Notable. Bruce not only sent me some pictures (wetted to pop the grain) but also selected pieces that would fit the two guitars into six pieces of wood saving me a substantial amount of money

Here's one of my baritone with koa from Bruce at Notable:

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Thanks everyone, I'll start shopping.

I heard from Wendy at Volcanoe, a small operation filling big orders for the big factories, so they are low on inventory at the moment but alive and kicking!

I called LMI, and I stand corrected, they were very accommodating and promply emailed me photos of their best sets.

Now I need to buy 2 sets, "da wife" likes even colour, but I like dark contrasting lines.

I'll post pics in 15 years when I finally build my own dream guitar.

Laurie

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Not yet, but the LMI sets weren't quite what we wanted. Bruce is next on the list once I get an actual day off and da wife stops working 100 hour work weeks, and we get to move back to the house after the insurance repairs, and her parents are back from vacation (we're living there so I have 2 houses to keep), etc...

That reminds me, can any chunk of Koa be a guitar top, or do the suppliers "tap" the pieces to determine if it's suitable for a top?

Thanks,

Laurie

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

You guys were right. Bruce hooked me up with some beautiful stuff, for less than expected and a great guy to deal with. Thanks for the help.

Laurie

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Bruce rocks alright!
Cheers
charliewood