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356 Koa

xjustice09x

New member
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
351
There was a thread about those a few months ago. Centre City had a bunch of them.

IMG_0665.jpg
 

6L6

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Mar 30, 2002
Messages
1,978
You might want to stay in touch with them regarding a new batch coming in some time soon.
 

clayville

Active member
Joined
Feb 25, 2004
Messages
5,736
I can't tell you much about the koa, but for me the CS 356 is a fabulous guitar, very very versatile with a really wide tonal range.

I'm pretty sure the current CS 336 debuted in 2001 and the CS 356 a year later. Design-wise it's somewhat derived from the older ES 336 body shape but with smaller, less-flared horns. They aren't much larger than an LP neck to tail, and are substantially smaller than a 335. I'm not sure about the Koa (re: the back) but the back of the regular model is routed out of a solid slab of mahogany -- even the sides are part of the back wood -- leaving some wood in the middle where a center block on a 335 would be and to support the tailpiece. More wood is removed than is typical of most of the "weight relieved" LPs, but you don't "push as much air" as you might on a 335 (mine weighs 7.2 lbs). The top is also routed/carved but out of a bookmatched slab of maple -- a bit like an LP top. It's an incredibly comfortable shape for a not overly large guy like me.

For me, I can get as close as I need to get to the tone of a 335, surprisingly close to an LP, and shockingly close to a Tele on the bridge pup with a little knob twiddling. They have a sound all their own -- woody as all get out on the neck pup, and what a LP player might call "bright" on the bridge pup (perhaps partly from the ebony board on the 356). But to me all that spells versatile, and makes for a great recording guitar. Mine is by far my Number One. "Jacks of All Trades" get a rap for being "master of none" sometimes, but to me that notion doesn't apply here. A few other guys will be along in a minute to testify, I'm sure.

Here's my 2003 Quilted in Heritage Darkburst (from the Music Machine Stinger series):
CS30505-3.jpg



Here's how the size compares to an LP:
generankin356-R9.jpg


And here's a 336 (on the right) next to a 335:
345_4979_fp7nu325466_368WSNRCG32328.jpg


They aren't easy to find to try out, I've found, but here's a ton of examples of what mine sounds like over tracks from the JamZone here. Look for 356 in the equipment description:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=239050
 

mmcquain

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Messages
2,646
Well, not to disappoint Clayville I guess I'd better be one of those guys who will
be along in a minute to testify about how great the CS356 (and 336) is!:biggrin:

Here's my "Wildwood Edition" in Honeyburst (and a comparison to my Les Paul Custom).
As for the Koa topped 356's, I almost got one from Saul at CC last spring before I found
this one. Everything that has already been said about great these babies are is true!
I love mine and will never get rid of her. I can't recommend 'em high enough.

CS356Flame5.jpg

Flame_Compared4.jpg
 

Rumbling_Groover

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,089
Thanks Dawg for the info, that is a lovely guitar. I love my 336, it is my current muse and go to guitar right now. I think that they are the best guitars comming out of the custom shop right now. A genuine carved top with a nice shape and balance, I've just got mine back from being set up. Clayville is right to say they are versatile, with my GA15rv all you need is some knob twidling to go from jazzy cleans and funky middle position sounds to an all out rocking bridge pup.

http://homepage.mac.com/rumbling.groover/.Pictures/IMG_0382.JPG
 

georgeshep

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Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
208
Omigosh. Someone else who prefers chrome.

Yes---- can you imagine a coa 336???


That'd be great.
 

Desertdawg

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2001
Messages
2,057
You mean you want plain hardware on a guitar that is 1,000 bucks more the the regular one?

Groover...I can't honestly say that the guitar sounds very different because of the koa top...but it sure as hell sounded more like an archtop than the regular guitars.
 

NHMorgan

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Nov 13, 2003
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Wooooow, I wish I had about 3k sitting around, that sounds very interesting, a koa semihollow. MMMMMMM I like.
 

LeftyLP

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
184
I love these guitars. I played a righty (backwards for me) and really dug the feel and tone. I love the ebony board and custom appointments on the 356. Does anyone know of any lefties floating around?

Clayville...that thing is just gorgeous!!
Those koa ones are beautiful too!!
 

Rumbling_Groover

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,089
Groover...I can't honestly say that the guitar sounds very different because of the koa top...but it sure as hell sounded more like an archtop than the regular guitars.

I have not had much experience with archtops. However when I bought mine I tried several 335s including a Clapton and a 356, I found my 336 much more open and and woody with overtones of a hollow haunting growl. Is that what you mean when you say it is more like an archtop?
 

stompbox

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Joined
Mar 28, 2003
Messages
2,176
You mean you want plain hardware on a guitar that is 1,000 bucks more the the regular one?

Groover...I can't honestly say that the guitar sounds very different because of the koa top...but it sure as hell sounded more like an archtop than the regular guitars.


What do you mean plain? It is a color, not a design. If you have ever paid more for gold harware than any other color, you got suckered. It is not real gold you know. And, even if it was, gold harware wears off, tarnishes, and looks terrible.

Gold = tacky to me, for old people. Nickel looks much classier to me.

Yep, a Koa 335 would be awesome.
 

georgeshep

New member
Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
208
Hi, Eddie Haskell,

I got mine from Garret Park Guitars in Annapolis Maryland.

It has a pretty chunky neck, which really surprised me. But it sounds so good.

These are great great guitars, to be sure.
 
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