GH1 Koa

Overview

The Maxey Archtops GH1 Koa is a compact, fully hollow archtop designed to bring traditional craftsmanship and expressive tone into a highly refined 13 inch format. Built for players who appreciate nuance, responsiveness, and visual depth, the GH1 Koa blends historic archtop construction with modern playability and versatile electronics.

Tonewoods and Construction

The GH1 Koa is hand carved using classic archtop methods, including traditional bracing and kerfing, ensuring a lively and resonant acoustic foundation. The body is crafted entirely from koa, including the top, back, and bent sides, creating a cohesive tonal character and striking visual presentation.

Koa is known for its rich midrange, articulate highs, and a focused low end that tightens as the guitar opens up over time. It responds dynamically to picking attack, offering warmth at softer touch and clarity when pushed. Koa binding around the body, neck, headstock, and F holes completes the instrument with a seamless, organic aesthetic.

Neck, Playability, and Feel

A three piece maple neck with a center lamination provides strength, stability, and consistent response along the full 25.5 inch scale length. The ebony fretboard, paired with mother of pearl inlays, offers a smooth playing surface and clear visual reference.

With 24 medium jumbo frets and Carve Away horns, the GH1 Koa provides effortless access to the upper register while maintaining a balanced feel across the neck. The gently curved C shaped neck profile sits comfortably in the hand, supporting extended playing sessions and fluid movement across the fretboard. A double expanding truss rod ensures long term neck stability and precise adjustment.

Electronics and Tonal Range

The GH1 Koa is equipped with a matched set of Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers, chosen for their ability to translate the natural voice of the instrument with clarity and warmth. Each pickup is paired with its own mini toggle switch, allowing series, split, and parallel configurations for a wide range of tones.

From full, rounded jazz textures to articulate single coil inspired clarity, the GH1 Koa adapts easily to different playing styles and musical settings. The shielded wiring harness keeps the signal clean and responsive while preserving the instrument’s natural dynamics.

Hardware and Appointments

Premium hardware throughout enhances both performance and reliability. GraphTech Ratio locking tuners provide precise tuning control, while the GraphTech ResoMax archtop bridge supports sustain and resonance. A custom archtop wood tailpiece completes the design, maintaining a lightweight feel that complements the fully hollow construction.

Wooden pickup rings and matching wood control knobs reinforce the handcrafted aesthetic and keep the focus on natural materials and elegant simplicity.

Finish and Final Details

Finished in nitrocellulose with a combination of glossy and matte surfaces, the GH1 Koa allows the wood to breathe and age gracefully over time. At approximately six and a half pounds, the guitar feels balanced, responsive, and comfortable whether played seated or standing.

The GH1 Koa is a refined archtop built for players who value touch sensitivity, tonal depth, and timeless craftsmanship in a compact, expressive instrument.