Korina

The timber of Terminalia superba, also called limba, a light African hardwood associated with a handful of late-1950s designs.

Its lightness is its practical appeal, since a large or heavily routed body in korina stays comfortable, and it is usually described as having an open midrange with a soft top end. Two forms are sold: plain white korina, which is normally painted, and the black-streaked variety, which is left visible precisely because of the markings. Its reputation rests largely on the historic instruments built from it during a shortage of the usual mahogany.

Example: a reissue of a 1958 V or Explorer shape in korina weighs noticeably less than the same body in mahogany, which changes how it feels and how it rings.

typical use: Solid bodies and necks on reissues of 1950s designs.

Korina

See also