How is Korina as a tone wood?

[kellar]

I am thinking about doing a Warmoth LP build and am debating tone woods. Being a novice, I really know nothing about the subject. For an LP though, I have narrowed it down to Mahogany or Black Korina. I am open to others as well, but lack of knowledge is getting in my way.

Anyway, I would rather veer away from Mahogany as I would like to try something different this time around. I am looking for something really beautiful though, something that would look good in a TobaccoBurst. Several Black Korina showcase items caught my eye. They are visually very appealing and really have some character.

Example: http://www.warmoth.com/showcase/sc_guitar_bodies.cfm?type=guitar&start=1&itemNumber=LPC102&menuItem=4&subMenuItem=0&subMenuItem2=0

I found the perfect piece last week, a Black Korina hollow body with a TobaccoBurst finish that was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, I didn't have the money to front. So, I guess I am wondering if Black Korina is a nice tone wood? As a reference, I do like Mahogany but find LP's much of the time a bit too dark. I understand that this obviously has something to do with the quality of the wood. Nonetheless, as I want to try something a bit different anyway, I am wondering what kind of wood would be a bit brighter but still have the Les Paul character. Also keep in mind that I want this to be one sexy guitar!

Thanks in advance for any info. :D

[Twinfan]

Korina is lovely  ;)

Lighter than mahogany, not as thick sounding at the bottom end, with a sweeter midrange that really punches through a mix.  Slightly more 'lower mids' than 'upper mids' if that makes sense?

I wouldn't be selling my PRS McCarty Korina if:

a)  I didn't need some money
and
b)  I didn't have a second one  ;)

[gwEm]

Korina is lovely  ;)

+1

[kellar]

That is exactly what I wanted to know! :D

Another annoying question: On the Warmoth site, when choosing a body, you have the option of hollow. Do they mean chambered? If so, other than weight relief, any added benefits there?

[Philly Q]

Agreed with the above based on the korina McCartys.  The sound is really warm and sweet, but there also seems to be a little more presence and airiness to the highs.  Even though mahogany sounds so fat, I find it can sometimes be a little harsh/thin on really high notes, and you don't seem to get that with korina.

Having said all that, I'm not sure about the tonal differences between "white" and "black" korina.

[kellar]

Thanks Philly, that was actually my other question.

Twinfan, that guitar is obviously White Korina. Any discernible difference between the two?

[Philly Q]

Another annoying question: On the Warmoth site, when choosing a body, you have the option of hollow. Do they mean chambered? If so, other than weight relief, any added benefits there?

Normally when they say "hollow" they mean the body has a sort of "honeycomb" of many small holes.  These bodies don't usually have f-holes and the main purpose is weight relief, the tone is similar to a solid body made from the same wood (although they claim improved resonance and sustain).

But they also sell some bodies with much larger chambers and f-holes, which does give more of an "acoustic" tone.

Unless the body is actually described as "chambered" it's usually "hollow", if that makes any sense. 

Details here:

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/strat.cfm?fuseaction=strat_hollow

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/lp.cfm?fuseaction=hollow_lp

[kellar]

Thanks Philly Q, didn't find that the first time around. :D

[Jonny]

Thinking of getting a Warmoth, kellar?

[kellar]

Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:

[WezV]

korina/limba is an awesome wood!!  posh mahogany  on steroids

Having said all that, I'm not sure about the tonal differences between "white" and "black" korina.

there is no perceptable difference.  White and black korina both come from the same tree - Terminalia superba... they just have difference colouring is all.  although any orange streaks are actually bug stains

although i think i have said before that terminalia ivorensis is also sold as korina or idigbo and sounds pretty similar as well... That has a slightly coarser/deeper grain and doesnt have a black variety.   Neither is better than the other but i tend to think  the stuff from the superba tree is prettier but idigbo can still be very nice.   I have used both types a few times each and cant really detect a sound difference

[AndyR]

Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:

:lol: I was just thinking that...

I got my Baja back from Jonathan last Friday and accidentally bought another tele on the way home :roll: - loving them both, but struggling to bond with either because they're very different and I can't play both at once...

I'm suspecting that several of us are actually incurable :lol:

[Jonny]

Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:

I feel like buying a cheap Warmoth and a guitar too.

I think I'm worse, I'm PLANNING to want to buy two guitars lol

[kellar]

Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:

I feel like buying a cheap Warmoth and a guitar too.

I think I'm worse, I'm PLANNING to want to buy two guitars lol

My problem is worse though! I just bought an expensive guitar, and I am planning an EXPENSIVE Warmoth build!! :lol:

[Jonny]

Here's a nice one

http://www.gumtree.com/london/93/30161693.html