Wednesday, October 12, 2016

'Kalea'

The Chocolate Mango acoustic dreadnought guitar, which I've named 'Kalea', is fresh off the bench.

I chose the name 'Kalea', because in Hawaiian it translates to 'Filled With Joy', and that is exactly what best describes this creation.


Mango (Mangifera Indica) is a beautiful Hawaiian hardwood, which also grows in tropical Asia.  A medium to large tree that frequently grows to around 50-65 feet in height and 2-3 feet in diameter. Dark brown, but with streaks of lighter wood sometimes, even orangish in color.  It is often spalted, making a beautiful and exotic figure.  Mango is moderately heavy, works easily and sands beautifully making wonderful musical instruments.  The wood has a good bright tone similar to Koa. Chocolate Mango exhibits a lot of dark chocolate brown heartwood.  If you're looking to build a guitar that is both different and beautiful, give Chocolate Mango a try.

I first became acquainted with Mango a couple years ago while vacationing on Maui, and when I recently saw this particular guitar back and side set offered for sale I couldn't resist the temptation to use it to craft a guitar.


















































The following spec sheet below will point out the various characteristics of the creation.


Chocolate Mango Custom Acoustic Guitar

Body               14-fret dreadnought
                        Sitka spruce top w/custom inlay rosette
                        Chocolate Mango back and sides
                        East Indian rosewood binding
                        East Indian rosewood bridge w/ bison bone saddle and ebony pins
                        Hand-rubbed satin finish
                        Custom scalloped ‘X’ top bracing
                        Custom ‘ladder’-style back bracing

Neck               One-piece mahogany, standard ‘C’ profile
                        Dual-action truss rod
                        Custom inlay headstock overlay
                        East Indian Rosewood 14-inch radius fingerboard w/pearl position markers
                        25.4-inch scale
                        1-11/16 bison bone nut
                        Grover black enclosed-gear tuners recessed into headstock overlay
                        Hand-rubbed satin finish

Extras             D’Addario EJ15 phosphor bronze .extra light 010-.047 strings
                        Inlay hand-cut and assembled from exotic wood
                        Zebrawood tailpiece w/ebony strap button
                        Maple/ebony/walnut centerline insert on back
                        Wenge heel cap


                        Made in Mansfield, Ohio (USA)    TotalRojoGuitars.com