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Words fail to adequately convey what might be referred to in Hawaiian as the nani ko-kı- (supremely beautiful) appearance of 's Hawaiian koa guitars, especially those featuring an all-koa body. celebrates that beauty with an all-wood appointment scheme that features their fluid Island Vine fretboard inlay in blackwood and maple, along with rosewood binding and maple top trim. A hand-sprayed shaded edgeburst enhances koa’s rich blend of color, figure and grain structure, adding a tasteful vintage aura. The best part: With time and extended play, a koa guitar’s voice will only grow sweeter and warmer, especially in the midrange.
Grand Auditorium
A original, the Grand Auditorium helped establish the acoustic sound. The popular body style makes for a versatile guitar that yields ample volume in response to light fingerpicking, and reacts to medium strumming and flatpicking with a clear, balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. If you want a great all-purpose guitar, the GA is an excellent choice. 's K24ce offers players the ultimate all-purpose guitar. Its balance, warmth and articulation are great for fingerstyle, it has enough punch as a strummer to front a band, and the top-end power will fuel lead runs without getting shrill. It's a great choice for a gigging player looking for one guitar that can cover it all.
Tonewood Pairing
A guitar's top is the primary filter and distributor of vibrating string energy through the guitar, which means it has a huge impact on its sound. Think of the top as a speaker driver. It's also one reason why the sounboard bracing architecture is important - it helps orchestrate the movement of the top and the voice of the instrument. The back and sides help flavor the overall sound. Koa is a fairly dense tropical hardwood with a strong midrange focus similar to mahogany, with a bit of extra top-end brightness and chime. The more koa is played and has a chance to open up - especially when the back and sides are also solid koa - it promises to grow warmer and sweeter, especially in the midrange.
Electronics
's ES2 is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in ’s ongoing innovation in acoustic guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is ’s patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the nuance of the guitar's tone to come through clearly whether playing acousticly or plugged-in. The location of the sensors enables a more dynamic range of acoustic sound to be captured than ever before while playing plugged-in. Together with ’s custom-designed “professional audio”-grade preamp, this system produces exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness. On stage through a PA, plugged into your favorite acoustic amplifier, or direct into recording software, the Expression System 2 faithfully conveys the voice of your guitar. The Expression System 2 operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-use volume, and active bass and treble controls.
Other Features
Maple top trim, blackwood/maple "Island Vine" fingerboard inlay, peghead inlay, single ring rosewood/maple rosette, Indian rosewood binding.
The Difference
What sets Guitars apart? Unmatched build quality, the most stable and playable necks, a vast array of tonal options, eco-conscious and ethically-sourced raw materials, and a lifetime of service and support.
The guitar with "special k" - gorgeous koa wood construction. Order yours today!
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by PowerReviewsK24ce Koa Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar 4.7(based on 3 reviews)
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<select id="pr-sort-reviews" 'H79614', 'en_US', 'engine-H79614-en_US', POWERREVIEWS.common.getOptions('engine-H79614-en_US'));"><option value="date_new">Newest</select>Clear all filtersDisplaying reviews 1-3
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1/6/2013(24 of 25
4.0K24CE GA Koa
By Geetarfan032
from Destin, Fl
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about K24ce Koa Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
This guitar is everything it should be, as you are paying for it in the price tag. It impresses the moment its removed from its box (before even opening the case), to the feel of the finish, and the clarity in the first strum of the guitar. The craftsmanship that was used to create the guitar drips from every tuner, fret, inlay, and joining to present a truly remarkable-looking instrument that is just as pleasurable to play. The guitar is literally so beautiful that I was hesitant to play it upon first looking at it. Upon finally mustering up the courage to play it I found that it was a complete joy to play; easily finding and holding its tune and then the smooth feel of the neck and frets underneath the strings don't make you work to find the neck position you want. The clarity of the guitar is its most fantastic aspect. The bass strings do not drown out the high e and b but rather compliment and sing together; as if you were playing two instruments.
The only disappointment that I found within the first week of owning this guitar was the projected sound of it: its a quiet guitar. It is not like larger auditorium style guitars or dreadnaughts, which can be beaten and attacked to create a large sound. This guitar is designed to be played and I have not found any better projection in attacking the guitar vs. simply playing it. Do not mistake the quietness of this guitar with a sound that is not full, or rich, or clear as the guitar presents all of these qualities, but doesn't seem to project them the way a spruce top does. I tried a humidifier to see if I could get any more projection out of it but no real change in the overall tone (which, as far as tones go (and not volume) was already brilliant).
The surprise came when the guitar was plugged into my Fender Blues Deluxe and cranked... The clarity, brilliance, lack of hum, and distinction between the highs and lows was so impressive that I have been playing this guitar over my PRS custom 24 for the passed 3 weeks as both an acoustic and electric. The guitar's wiring around the koa top picks up all of the minor resonant sounds that are hardly heard with the guitar unplugged and expresses them with unexplainable clarity through its expression system. If effects or distortion pedals are to be used you can roll off the expression system and use the bridge pick up (the expression system picks up the vibration of the amp's distortion in the koa top and gives bass feedback) to play heavy through your stomp boxes. The guitar is just easy to play, rewards you with this brilliant acoustic, rich tone, and does not present any of the obstacles that lesser acoustic electrics present in finding the right combination between pick up and microphone in order to avoid feedback or muffled acoustic sound.
In summary, a well built, beautifully crafted, excellent playing instrument that is extremely versatile as a performing guitar, even if it doesn't thump like a Martin Dreadnaught When its plugged in the guitar separates itself so definitively from other acoustic electrics it leaves you wondering why all guitar makers don't use Hawaiian Koa exclusively for their premier acoustic electric offerings; or maybe its the brilliant expression system.
A caveat: I shopped for this guitar and searched for reviews tirelessly for months in wonder at whether or not I was going to get a "rogue" hawaiian koa that was flat sounding. When I first played the guitar I thought that's exactly what I had purchased, as I had never played the guitar before buying it from Custom Guitar's Friend. After plugging this guitar in, I realize that it is not made to be played as a floor stomping bluesmaker that you have to struggle to sing over; it's an acoustic electric for a reason and the moment you plug it in you hear all of the sounds you didn't hear unplugged. I purchased with confidence in the name as a quality instrument maker and was not disappointed. I am completely satisfied with my purchase, but the four star review instead of five is because this review is for those that are considering purchasing this after my purchase, and they should know that the only caveat to this quality instrument is its quiet sound in comparison to spruce top offerings of comparable quality. But spruce tops don't sing plugged in the way this thing does.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(24 of 25
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7/12/2013(5 of 5
5.0An absolutely amazing guitar!!!!
By Loves_Expression
from Mammoth Lakes, Ca.
Comments about K24ce Koa Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
I have been playing guitar for more then 20 years. This by far is the most amazing guitar I have ever owned. Out if the box it looks like a piece of art. When I played it the sound and the action are absolutely amazing. I play on the worship team at my church and when I took it to practice and plugged it in I think I blew every bodies mind. The new ES pick up system is incredible. The tone is the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time. It's amazing for use live or in the studio. Than you !
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(5 of 5
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3/28/2017 5.0No wonder most popular artist using it.
By Ron
from Hawaii
Comments about K24ce Koa Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
Unavailable sound.,,,and it become more nicer and warm sound when got ages.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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This guitar is everything it should be, as you are paying for it in the price tag. It impresses the moment its removed from its box (before even opening the case), to the feel of the finish, and the clarity in the first strum of the guitar. The craftsmanship that was used to create the guitar drips from every tuner, fret, inlay, and joining to present a truly remarkable-looking instrument that is just as pleasurable to play. The guitar is literally so beautiful that I was hesitant to play it upon first looking at it. Upon finally mustering up the courage to play it I found that it was a complete joy to play; easily finding and holding its tune and then the smooth feel of the neck and frets underneath the strings don't make you work to find the neck position you want. The clarity of the guitar is its most fantastic aspect. The bass strings do not drown out the high e and b but rather compliment and sing together; as if you were playing two instruments.Martin Short Scale Acoustic Guitars: A Perfect Fit for Small-Handed Players
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