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OK folks, I've made two flat top mandolins and am halfway through two acoustic guitars.

all have spruce or cedar tops.

I've been asked to make a doubleneck acoustic 6/12 and as the customer is a Bon Jovi nut he wants it as close to Richie Sambora's Koa Taylor.

there's also a slight issue of budget.......

SO.......

Back & sides are gonna be walnut as I have a store full of it for free.

he doesn't actually know what Koa is, and just wants a darker top, so do I stain a spruce top or go mahogany?

How is the bracing affected if I use mahogany?

I know that doublenecks aren't a manistream sorta thing, but any "general" info would be great.

Thanks!!

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Hi Martin,

I have a similiar commission waiting for me to start. Our own Tony Karol has built an all Koa double neck for a Bon Jovi cover band (I think they are anyway). Picks are on his website. Also, Mike Doolin's website has more pictures on the one he built, including bracing. I have talked with both of them on the topic and feel ready to get started. There appears to be no secret, maybe leave your 'X' a little heavier than normal but other wise "just build it!" There is a thread in the archives where I asked about a double acoustic stuff. Have a look in there, if you can't find it let me know and I will bring the link here.

Good Luck with this project!

Shane

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Canada

It's difficult getting hold of a decent woodstain...although I have used a rosewood stain on a mahogany neck, and it looks koa-ish with reddish hints...a mahogany top may be a good choice, if you can afford it.

This trick is to create an even stain on the wood...on a large area such as a top that would be an interesting challenge.

I'd appreciate it if you could keep us updated with progress pics, if you have time.

perhaps your next project could be a harp guitar.......ahemhintjoke...... Sam Price38951.5880555556

Martin,

Check out Don Williams' thread "Do You Like This Mahogany?" for some possibilities.

Thanks gang, some good advice there.


As budget is such an issue it'll prolly stay spruce. I have some stain that I did my back fence with last summer that might do the job, I'll mix some into my fave danish oil & try it on some scrap!!!

as for the bracing I'm thinking some carbon fibre rods in there to give some support, and definitely pins in the bridge as 18 strings will give a LOAD of tension on the top!!

I'm also considering bolt on necks for the first time as all previous have been epoxied in. the change will do me good!!

I'll get an order off to Stewmac next week........

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Hey Martin,

Both Tony Karol and Mike Doolin braced the neck block to the waist to help support the compression load that is placed on that area. I bought carbon fibre from Jim W at Los Alamos Composites (One of our sponsors above). Jim is great to deal with. I have threaded inserts and bolts for bolt on necks, they are cheap, like $0.85 a neck or something like that (2 pr of each).

And hey, you are gonna have to change your footer box there, I guess you DO do commissions after all .

Keep us informed on your progress!

ShaneShane Neifer38952.5515509259

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Canada

Martin, I was only thinking about carbon fibre rods at work yesterday!!! I chickened out starting a thread due to fear of seeming silly...

I wondered why they were not used in guitars more often...I know that there is a sacreligious element to the guitar not being made of natural materials, but surely they are slightly stronger and lighter than wood? The CF braces would conduct sound even more efficiently...

After all, isn't the whole point about a light and strong guitar top with good movement?

One thought I had was that wood may be more shock-resistant than carbon fibre...

Sorry if I don't think about more "interesting" things like the nice pair of shoes and nail polish in the high street, but somehow, I ain't programmed that way!!!Sam Price38952.5363310185

How about a Redwood top this one is curly but is readily available in straight grain and you can use pigment in the shellac seal coat to get as dark as you want. This one use only 50%amber 50%blonde flakes to get this color, and it is not all that expensive
MichaelP38952.5850347222

mmmm tasty top on that!!!

I'll prolly get as many of the bits as poss. from stewmac. Their service has always been great and I don't do big enough numbers (yet!!) to start spreading the load too wide.......

I remember seeing pics of extra braces to the waist line, I think it might have been Rick Turner........

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I have built one and now on a 2nd all Koa guitar. They are nice if you want a
dark top.

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com