Another koa top

Ibanez added another koa top AZ, this time it's the AZ2204 version. Those white single coils are out of place & look like a cheap mod was done to the instrument. It's a limited edition model but the last koa top AZ did make its way here. It listed for more than $4K so not expecting this one to be any cheaper.

AZ Koa

Thank you, Ibanez, for this koa top AZ2204KB. It's everything I want from an AZ, less that pickguard. However, since it's made to be conspicuous, I wouldn't mind at all. It will be available here, right, Swee Lee?

Hello August 😊

Ibanez AZ: K & M

All the great Ibanez stuff not available here, right? You bet.

This is a Japan only AZ2402 done in a koa top. Surprisingly, it made its way here & sold out just hours after it's listed. I have no idea if some of the Japanese models do make a quiet debut in the shops in this country for the privileged few but it's unfair for the rest of us. We rely on the manufacturer's website only to be given a double standard in terms of availability.

Recently, the Japanese market released a myrtlewood top version so if it makes its way here & sold out almost immediately like its koa top sibling then it'll only confirm my take on the situation.

Epi koa

This might turn on the Epiphone fans out there- the LP Custom koa top. A recent 'fall release, featuring coil split switches. No price announcements as yet but some of the Epi models are getting dangerously close to the affordable Gibson makes & this makes decisions very tough.

A koa summer

A 2015 Summer NAMM release- a pair of LTD koa top guitars. A good thing they have passive pickups in there to let the koa sing a little bit. The thing about koa is its mahogany warmth without the weight. Also, it has enough clarity to rival a rosewood but not an excessively sharp top end. However, the koa here is a laminate piece, meaning, it's not substantial enough to command the oveall voicing but enough to influence the tone somewhat.

The koa camp

Just heard that the Ibanez AVNK14LTD koa model is now available at Swee Lee. I should be checking this out since the AVN standard model is a spruce top take.

Over at the Taylor camp, the GS Mini-E is currently being offered in koa as well (albeit a limited edition offering). 

Martin has its own LXK2 koa baby as well, featuring its own HPL technology.

Ibanez: S5470K

The Japanese market also offers the Ibanez S5470 in koa top with matching headstock; the good stuff are always not here... *SIGH*

Fender: More new stuff @ Swee Lee

The Koa Strat is one of the best eastern crafted Fenders (Korea) in the market namely due to the body wood- if you are after that darker, lower midrange, akin to what an overwound single coil would churn out & nothing excessive in the top end (but Fender's signature tone remains to be their defined top end, despite the 'restrained' tag), the Koa is one to consider.

On the contrary, the Roadhouse Strat offers you the sizzle courtesy of a trio of Texas Special single coils. I've put them through very high gain/ drive settings (amp in use: Peavey Bandit + the drive booster in maximum overkill!) & the twang remains prominent, so if you are into this kinda tone, the Roudhouse rocks.