Curly Koa or Curly Mahogany - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T10:16:27Zhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/curly-koa-or-curly-mahogany?feed=yes&xn_auth=noBoth The Supertone and Ludwigtag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-07-11:2177249:Comment:2798952021-07-11T21:02:58.345ZStevehttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/Steve464
Both The Supertone and Ludwig
Both The Supertone and Ludwig Somehow the first Kumalae pic…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-01-17:2177249:Comment:2540912021-01-17T20:13:51.664ZGeorge Robertshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GeorgeRoberts
<p>Somehow the first Kumalae picture didn't go through. Here it is.</p>
<p>Somehow the first Kumalae picture didn't go through. Here it is.</p> Kumalae Uke
tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-01-17:2177249:Comment:2540352021-01-17T20:10:21.462ZGeorge Robertshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GeorgeRoberts
<p>Kumalae <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Uke</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Kumalae <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Uke</span></p>
<p></p> Koa VS Mahogany
tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-01-17:2177249:Comment:2538692021-01-17T19:58:17.083ZGeorge Robertshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GeorgeRoberts
<p>Koa VS Mahogany</p>
<p></p>
<p>Koa VS Mahogany</p>
<p></p> Sooooo..., does anyone have a…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-01-17:2177249:Comment:2538642021-01-17T19:56:46.085ZGeorge Robertshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GeorgeRoberts
<p>Sooooo..., does anyone have any tips for distinguishing between the koa and the mahogany?</p>
<p>The first 2 pictures are the Washburn uke, Model 1915, No 2070, Style 2623, which I had always assumed was koa.</p>
<p>The next 2 pictures are of the Regal uke, which I had also thought was koa, but now wondering more about the possibility of curly mahogany.</p>
<p>Pictures 5 and 6 are of the Martin mandolin, 1920, Style AK, so I'm pretty confidant that it is koa.</p>
<p>Finally, 7 and 8 are of a…</p>
<p>Sooooo..., does anyone have any tips for distinguishing between the koa and the mahogany?</p>
<p>The first 2 pictures are the Washburn uke, Model 1915, No 2070, Style 2623, which I had always assumed was koa.</p>
<p>The next 2 pictures are of the Regal uke, which I had also thought was koa, but now wondering more about the possibility of curly mahogany.</p>
<p>Pictures 5 and 6 are of the Martin mandolin, 1920, Style AK, so I'm pretty confidant that it is koa.</p>
<p>Finally, 7 and 8 are of a "Kumalae Gold Medal 1915 Hawaii " uke, that seems likely to be koa, also.</p>
<p>Certainly appreciate the help and wisdom.</p> Yep, plus one. Rusty
tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2021-01-02:2177249:Comment:2461212021-01-02T15:05:30.836ZRussell Vancehttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RussellVance
<p>Yep, plus one. <br/>Rusty</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yep, plus one. <br/>Rusty</p>
<p></p> I've had Supertones in both c…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2020-12-30:2177249:Comment:2444732020-12-30T23:49:28.105Zonewenthttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/onewent
<p>I've had Supertones in both curley mahogany and koa .. here's a snappy back!</p>
<p>yes, Harmony had some beautiful woods back in the day.</p>
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<p>I've had Supertones in both curley mahogany and koa .. here's a snappy back!</p>
<p>yes, Harmony had some beautiful woods back in the day.</p>
<p></p> Here's an ad from 1927 that I…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2020-12-27:2177249:Comment:2430032020-12-27T16:39:52.725ZRich Middendorfhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/RichMiddendorf
<p>Here's an ad from 1927 that I think was for this guitar. And it says "genuine figured mahogony," so I think Frank is correct. BTW the guitar had no fretboard when I bought it, so cut a new one from ebony –—the inlays match the period. I took out a thin mahogany chewed up bridge plate from the ladder braced top and replaced it with a little wider strap with an ebony inlay where the bridge pins sit. The rest is original.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback.…</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Here's an ad from 1927 that I think was for this guitar. And it says "genuine figured mahogony," so I think Frank is correct. BTW the guitar had no fretboard when I bought it, so cut a new one from ebony –—the inlays match the period. I took out a thin mahogany chewed up bridge plate from the ladder braced top and replaced it with a little wider strap with an ebony inlay where the bridge pins sit. The rest is original.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8347149289?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">S488_Supertone_1927.jpg</a></p> I vote MAHGONY.
Harmony made…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2020-12-27:2177249:Comment:2424562020-12-27T03:08:24.915ZFrank Fordhttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/FrankFord
<p>I vote MAHGONY.</p>
<p>Harmony made a lot of stuff for Sears under the Supertone label. They also made a hefty production of "Vita Ukes." I don't recall seeing a Vita Uke that was NOT curly mahogany. Where they got so much fine curly mahogany, I don't know.</p>
<p>I vote MAHGONY.</p>
<p>Harmony made a lot of stuff for Sears under the Supertone label. They also made a hefty production of "Vita Ukes." I don't recall seeing a Vita Uke that was NOT curly mahogany. Where they got so much fine curly mahogany, I don't know.</p> Hi Rich,
I have a koa Regal u…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2020-12-26:2177249:Comment:2425142020-12-26T21:30:46.927ZGeorge Robertshttps://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GeorgeRoberts
<p>Hi Rich,</p>
<p>I have a koa Regal uke and a koa Washburn uke, both Chicago products and the same vintage as your guitar (also from Chicago). The Regal has exceptionally tight curl. I also have a curly koa Martin mandoin from 1922.</p>
<p>Koa seems to have become very popular at that time, and I have wondered if WW1 had made the usual woods less available. It is also the time period when dyed maple fbs become common.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hi Rich,</p>
<p>I have a koa Regal uke and a koa Washburn uke, both Chicago products and the same vintage as your guitar (also from Chicago). The Regal has exceptionally tight curl. I also have a curly koa Martin mandoin from 1922.</p>
<p>Koa seems to have become very popular at that time, and I have wondered if WW1 had made the usual woods less available. It is also the time period when dyed maple fbs become common.</p>
<p></p>