Our Journey to African Mahogany
Our first guitar, TOFINO, was crafted with the back and sides of an African Mahogany known as Okume. Shortly after introducing the model, we became concerned with stories of rampant wood poaching on the continent. That precipitated a change to Indonesian plantation-grown Mahogany for subsequent production. We felt we were offering a more sustainable guitar. But, we were informed that everyone's favourite, the Orangutan, was losing its habitat to these plantations.
Damned if you do...damned if you don't.
The country of Gabon rides to the rescue. With newly passed and strictly enforced forestry management laws, poaching and rampant rape of precious wood resources were, if not entirely eradicated, significantly reduced.
For our small company, that was. blessing. Not only could we be comfortable with the sustainability of our Mahogany but also we could upgrade from Okume to Kaya Ivorensis.
Win Win.
Kaya Ivonisis, also known as African Mahogany, is a highly sought-after tonewood used in constructing acoustic guitars. It possesses various characteristics that contribute to its desirability as a tonewood.
One of Kaya Ivonisis's prominent features is its balanced tonal properties. It offers a warm, rich, and well-rounded sound, with a strong emphasis on mid-range frequencies. This tonal balance allows the guitar to produce clear and articulate notes, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres.
Another advantage of Kaya Ivonisis is its excellent sustain. The wood's density and stiffness contribute to a longer sustain, enabling notes to ring out with clarity and depth. This extended sustain adds a pleasing resonance and depth to the guitar's sound, enhancing the overall playing experience.
In addition, Kaya Ivonisis exhibits good projection capabilities. It can efficiently project sound waves, ensuring that the guitar's sound carries well in various performance settings. This makes it suitable for both intimate studio recordings and live performances in larger venues.
Furthermore, Kaya Ivonisis is known for its stability and durability. It is resistant to warping and has a high level of dimensional stability, ensuring that the guitar maintains its structural integrity over time. This feature is crucial for an acoustic guitar, as it helps to preserve its tonal qualities and overall playability.
Kaya Ivonisis is a tonewood with a balanced tonal response, excellent sustain, good projection, and durability. These characteristics make it a popular choice among luthiers and guitar players alike, contributing to its reputation as a high-quality tonewood for acoustic guitars.
