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THE BEAR CREEK KONA
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| Kona Rocket- One of Bob Brozman's favorites-see below-
The Bear Creek Kona Rocket is an our updated version of the Kona steel guitar of yesteryear. The Kona Rocket has a shorter, deeper body than the hollowneck, and a beautifully carved V neck joining the body at the 7th fret. The short 23 1/2"scale allows for higher tunings, and creates a very quick, responsive guitar with awesome volume. recently received his 2nd Bear Creek Rocket-affectionately known as the "klona" and it is one of his favorites-see below.
The Kona Rocket can be made from a variety of exotic tonewoods, such as Honduran Rosewood, African Mahogany, Sapele, Avodire-an amazing tonewood- and the traditional Hawaiian Koa. It has Sitka Spruce bracing, has Style 4 Mother-of-Pearl inlays, traditonal ‘Rope’ binding (made from alternating strips of rosewood and maple or beech), and a high gloss Lacquer finish. $4900.00
To order: Call 1-877-622-8216 or email: bcguitar@bcguitar.com.
Custom Woods/Custom Inlays-call for pricing
8 String Option-add$350.00
The Kona Rocket-
Click to Enlarge - (*) enlargements with front & back pictures
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Custom Kona Guitar Artwork
by Rick Parks |
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| Mango back and sides |
German spruce |
left: dot inlays
right: style 4 inlays |
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170K |
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Bob Brozman's thoughts
on the Kona and Kona Rocket
Bill Hardin has done it once again!
Unlike the hollowneck Weissenborns, the Konas were made with a very deep body, and with a solid neck which joins the body at the 7th fret, sort of an "emergency" Spanish neck. Also the dimensions of the top are smaller, but when joined with the deep body, a similar cubic air space to the Weissenborn is created.
The original Kona's were made by Weissenborn for a teaching studio in California in the 1920's, and are quite rare today, since many did not survive due to inconsistent craftsmanship. Bill has worked very hard to retain the exact sound and spirit of the originals, but with luthier quality workmanship. (If you really want rough braces, glue drips, and sanding marks, I'm sure you can work it out with Bill!)
As with the Bear Creek Hollowneck, Bill's choice of woods, and his high level of craftsmanship shines through on the Kona Rocket. Mine simply glows with honey-hued koa wood, with Bill's handmade "rope" bindings providing visual 'zing' and contrast. I tune mine very high, with light strings, effectively open G tuned up to C. The carefully radiused braces give the top a spring-like quality, which dramatically increases the speed of response (how fast the notes leave the guitar) and boosts the treble frequencies. This makes this the perfect guitar for tender, delicate Hawaiian songs, or the high lonesome sound of Charley Patton's slide-blues playing! The Kona is available in a choice of standard or short scale length, fretted Spanish or non-fretted Hawaiian.
This guitar is an indispensable part of my road gear ...I'll never part with mine, so it's a good thing you can have one made for you!
Thanks and Aloha,
BOB BROZMAN
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