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