Acoustic Guitar Project

[Silicone_Milk]

So I've been wanting a cut-away acoustic guitar for a while now. Instead of throwing some money down to pick up some machine-made guitar (or a few grand for a quality hand-made one) I decided that it would be a worthwhile project to entertain me and keep me busy.

I'm in the process of choosing the woods for the body, neck, fretboard, and soundboard.

The current wood choices:
Body/Sides - Koa
Neck - Mahogany or Koa
Fretboard - Pau Ferro or Ebony (PF if mahogany neck, either/or for Koa neck)
Soundboard - Sitka Spruce

The Koa wood is crazy expensive though since you can only get it from Hawaii and they've pretty much logged all the trees that were big enough to make anything out of. Has a beautiful grain and is a very solid wood with great tone.
[lvlshot]http://www.wurrkshopwoods.com/images/wood/koa-wood-box-big.jpg[/lvlshot]

Not really much to say about the other woods but here are some pictures so you guys can get an idea of what I have in mind:
Pau Ferro (used as a neck):
[lvlshot]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2699292261_67db1a8529.jpg[/lvlshot]
Sitka Spruce:
[lvlshot]http://www.barbarossa-guitars.com/wood/sitka1%20sm.jpg[/lvlshot]

I don't really know if anybody on Q3W has experience building acoustic guitars or not... but if anybody has non-gay suggestions about other wood to look in to, I'd like to hear it.

I'm also wanting a classical guitar... maybe after I finish this project I'll start on one.

[l0g1c]

I always like rosewood fretboards. Any reason it's not in your choices?

[Silicone_Milk]

No reason in particular. I just don't like the way they look (although they feel good)

The more I add to my to-do list the more expensive this new hobby seems to become =\

[plained]

wow right on sounds like an awesome project!

those 1rst choices 4 woods r pretty leet woods!

maybe if u could knuckle tone tap the actual woods to be used so's to select the most musical!

yea i know it might be not the right way but fun and interesting tho

i want to do an semi acoustic tele with west red cedar!

i know its not right but i dont care

i also wanted a fir neck b4!

i would like to become awesome enough to one day try one

[bork[e]]

Almost positive I remember reading a thread where someone here has done this, can't remember who but it's been some time ago now.

[Silicone_Milk]

As much as I want a Koa body, I'm thinking that it would be a smarter choice to start with a straight-grained wood on my first guitar where it will be easier to shape for the sides.

@plained - west red cedar was a consideration for me for the soundboard but I like the paler color of the spruce.

[Eraser]

Wow, building your own guitar, that's cool.
Keep us informed. I'm interested in how you'll go through this.

[plained]

oh yea i'm a real sucker 4 strait grain woods

sitka is so nice

i like that rare ash thats all tight straight grains and still light weight! soo awesome

yea i hope i can learn enough to atemp something oneday

yea i know threads r all over the net

this is q3w realistic tho!

[Silicone_Milk]

I'm actually going to be learning as I go. It's not a big deal if you have some guidance of some sort so you're not completely wingin' it.

I'd rather have a curly grain but I'm a fan of easy so I'm going to save the Koa for when I've had some experience and start off with a straight grain.