what to match cocobolo back and sides with? Maple, Koa, or Black Limba

[Bill Jasmer]

so my plan on this one is a semi hollow body electric guitar with 1/4' cocobolo back http://www.flickr.com/photos/19770608@N07/12141591696/ and bent sides with a nice piece of Alder inside down the middle to mount the pickups and bridge to.
Now I have to decide what to use for the top.
I have 1/4" book matched curly Koa http://www.flickr.com/photos/19770608@N ... otostream/
Book matched 1/4" super Curly Maple
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19770608@N07/12140319663/
5/16" bookmatched Black Limba
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19770608@N07/12140097535/

what do you think would be the best combo??

[Adam Savage]

For my money, I think the maple would look best - the others, whilst beautiful woods, are too similar in colour and being figured as they are will confuse the aesthetics. The maple, on the other hand, will offer a nice contrast in colour and a figure that isn't distracting.
Sound wise, I'll leave that to someone who knows what they are talking about!

Adam

[Art Davila]

Just goes to show that you can never please everybody.
The maple was my least favored of the 3.
But my wife has told me before my opinion on color matching is sketchy at best.

[David King]

The correct answer is obviously black limba. Black goes with everything. <g>

[John Mueller]

It would be really nice if members would post their photos on the MIMF site and not use third party sites. Photos that are posted here have a chance of being archived here but links to other sites often grow old and no longer connect.

[James Tonguet]

I prefer the Koa or Maple . I'd use a natural finish as well

[James Tonguet]

Koa

[Henrique Schneiter]

The maple will give the best contrast, and thus the best look in my opinion. Just remember that the cocobolo will release a yellowish stain over the neighboring woods once it gets contact with solvents in glues and finishes, and a clear colored wood will show it more than the others. Believe me, it can be messy.