For those looking for something that is truly exotic, nothing compares with New Zealand’s ancient Kauri wood (Agathis Australis). This wood has been rescued from bogs where the water has preserved trees that grew in the Stone Age -30,000 to 50,000 years ago!
Only a few builders have made guitars from this wood so far, most notably Laurie Williams who exhibited several fabulous steel strings at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival. It is a beautiful honey-amber color and the tap tone falls somewhere between Walnut and Koa. There is a very subtle, liquidy figure in some sets and the non-figured sets are near quartersawn. In either case the wood has great luster under finish, is stable and easy to work. Eco-friendly, attractive and a great point of conversation, this wood should become a favorite of
guitar collectors and aficionados everywhere.
