In some ways, this Koa ukulele is a very “normal” instrument: Koa body, Mahogany neck and the rich and zingy sound of a Koa tenor. But, some of my design ideas set it apart from the norm. First, I chose pieces for the body that are asymmetrical. Second, I used Pistachio from California orchards for the binding, fretboard, headplate and bridge. Third, the neck is made from Mahogany, which is normal, but this piece was salvaged from a retiring cabinet maker and built in the stacked style like an old classical guitar. Lastly, the rope rosette and endgraft look fresh, but traditional at the same time. I don’t use a lot of tropical woods, but when I do, they are always salvaged woods that I stumble upon. I don’t buy or import any new tropical woods for ecological, economic and human labor reasons. This Koa came to me when a local luthier moved away and literally left these boards on my porch! As always, I will donate to a Hawaiian non profit to give back to the place that grew this amazing wood. This is a stock instrument and is going to a festival with us this weekend. If you are interested in it, please email us info@thebeansprout.com.