I'm pleased to offer yet another Killer Koa, from the friendly folks at Breedlove
Guitar Company. When last I had a Koa Breedlove, it was in the form of a most
excellent C15, which has since moved on to a new owner. That stellar Cedar-topped
instrument had a couple of showroom years on it, albeit careful, uneventful
years. The Cedar top on that instrument had a lovely resonance, and the guitar
was warm and inviting - a fingerstyle standout from the moment I got it.
So being more of a picker/rhythm player myself, I wondered to myself.... what
would Koa be like underneath a Sitka Spruce top? Surely I'd get that same
warmth and responsiveness, but with even more headroom - something that would
push back when I leaned into it. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long.
This Sitka/Koa C25 sports a stunning flamed Koa back/side set, and the Sitka
Spruce top is tight and even, with a lot of silking going on. Ivoroid binding
completes this instrument in a very crisp and tasteful way. The Mahogany neck
feels particularly good on this instrument - fast, smooth, and comfortable
like most Breedlove necks, but with an even less friction than I'm used to
seeing. The sound of this guitar is indeed warm - a very even tone, well-defined
and articulate. This would be an excellent guitar to have in a studio arsenal,
and would serve as a very effective counterpoint to a darker Rosewood instrument.
Koa rocks!
