As a luthier, Dave prioritises material selection carefully. For years, he relied on obeche—a lightweight wood with beautiful grain and excellent resonance. However, sourcing difficulties in the UK prompted exploration of alternatives, leading him to embrace korina as his new standard.

Korina: The New Go-To Material

Korina, also known as Limba, combines similarity to obeche with distinct advantages. While maintaining aesthetic and acoustic qualities, it offers measurable improvements in practical application.

Lightweight and Comfortable

Both woods share the lightweight characteristic that contributes to extended playing comfort. The balance and handling ease remain consistent, preserving the pleasure of hours-long practice sessions.

Similar Grain with Added Durability

Korina's grain patterns match obeche's visual appeal while offering superior hardness. Where obeche can develop dents over time, korina resists wear more effectively, providing longevity without weight compromise.

The Beautiful Honey Colour

Korina's natural warm hue creates aesthetic richness. Upon finishing, this colour intensifies, producing a classic vintage appearance that complements tonal characteristics.

Better Availability

Practical sourcing advantages proved decisive. With obeche increasingly difficult to obtain locally, korina's reliable availability ensures consistent production without material constraints.

Conclusion

This transition represents a positive evolution. The combination of lightweight construction, comparable grain, enhanced durability, and aesthetic warmth makes korina ideal for guitar bodies. Improved sourcing enables sustained production of quality instruments.