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I plan on doing, someday, a set of matching Koa OOO, OO and O that I already have the matching B+S sets for. I’ve been struggling with what I should do on the binding. I will make these with fairly traditional appointments along Martin lines, plain ebony bridge and FB, maybe style 45 fret markers with a torch. I’ve been thinking about either curly maple or some sort of rosewood (Mad?). Part of my dilemma is that Martin always seems to use Ivroid, but I don’t want to do that.

What is your favorite binding scheme with koa? Pics?

On a side note, I’m thinking Adi for the top. Maybe try 4 piece top from Old Standard. The small body would’nt require very large wings. The one that was posted a few weeks back looked really nice, and silky.

Without a doubt my favorite binding on a golden honey to reddish brown back and side set is Snakewood. But that’s a bit far off of the traditional pallet

For a more classic look maybe BRW or Curly Walnut. Curly Maple is very pretty but will give a very intense contrast. For a more classic look I prefer a warmer look so a golden-reddish wood in my opinion calls for a darker binding.

This is Narra with Snakewood but the effect would be near the same with Koa


Here is a quick Gamma corection on the photo to make the Narra closer to Koa colored. Might help to invision.

Here are two variations I have done:

I like darker bindings with light colored wood most of the time. This is some nice dark madrose with some honey colored Blackwood. I think koa with koa would also look great too, offcuts from the sides with a thin side purfling line is something I have wanted to try.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

Here's a koa OM I did with Mad rose bindings under FP shellac.

Pat

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

Zach buddy when I was building a Koa OM the Koa had some purple/brown dark lines in it. I asked the forum what to use to bind with and Steve K. told me that I needed to match the darkest lines in the Koa which was the purple/brown figure. BRW was a perfect match and I liked the way it came out. Thanks again Steve!

agreeing with Hesh here, Brazilian rosewood looks spectacular next to the busy koa.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

This is a new one of mine... it's been Zpoxied and not yet sanded, but I kinda like CocoKoa!

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

hey I was the first to suggest BRW

By golly you were!
I saw snakewood and slid right on by!

Im agreeing with Michael here! BRW +2

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I just could not stand Hesh taking all th credit

Yeah I am sorry too Michael my friend - you indeed get the credit.

But...... when our pal Zach finds out that finding BRW bindings these days is nearly impossible you also get the blame.......