Why Are Korina Guitars So Expensive? The Truth Behind the Price Tag
The Mystique of Korina: More Than Just a Fancy Name
Let’s get one thing straight: Korina isn’t just marketing fluff. Also known as Limba, this wood has been driving guitar nerds (like yours truly) nuts for decades. And not just because it looks cool—although, yeah, that creamy golden grain is gorgeous.
But the price tag? Whew. It’s not for the faint of heart.
I remember the first time I picked up a vintage-style Korina Flying V—my jaw dropped twice: first from the sound, then from the price. So, what's the deal?
Korina Wood: Rare, Respected, and... Ridiculously Expensive
Limited supply, big demand
Korina doesn’t grow everywhere. It's native to tropical West Africa, and the supply is tightly regulated. Some species are even considered vulnerable due to overharvesting (not great, honestly). So there’s not exactly a flood of it on the market.
On top of that, only specific cuts of the wood are suitable for guitar building. Luthiers are picky—rightfully so—so even when Korina is available, a chunk of it isn't usable for a quality instrument.
It’s tricky to work with
Korina is relatively light and resonant, which is great... but it can be a pain to finish. Its open grain structure means more effort goes into prepping and sealing it. That’s more hours of labor = more cost.
Some builders even say you need to “coax the tone” out of it. That might sound poetic (or pretentious), but hey—there’s truth in it.
The Sound: Warm, Punchy, and Distinctive
Okay, this is where Korina really earns its stripes.
Tonal profile
Korina guitars are known for a warm low-end, tight mids, and this kind of airy top-end that doesn't get shrill. It's not muddy, not overly bright—just balanced. Some players say it sounds like a blend of mahogany and ash, but smoother. Depends on your ears, I guess.
Famous tones you’ve heard
Ever heard of the Gibson Flying V or Explorer from the late ’50s? Those OG models were made of Korina. Now they’re ultra-collectible and fetch prices north of $100K. Yep, six figures for a guitar. Madness.
Guys like Albert King and Joe Bonamassa have sworn by Korina for its rich sustain and clarity. It’s got mojo, no doubt.
It’s Not Just the Wood—It’s the Build
Let’s not forget: when you're paying top dollar for a Korina guitar, you're also paying for top-tier craftsmanship.
Often custom-built
Most Korina guitars aren’t churned out by machines. They’re handcrafted, carefully assembled, and finely tuned. Whether it’s Gibson’s Custom Shop, Heritage, or a boutique brand like Hamer or Reverend—they treat Korina builds like serious business.
That adds up fast. Quality parts, expert labor, and often vintage-style hardware… the cost stacks before you even get to the case.
Collector hype drives the price
Let’s be honest: some of it is also the vibe. Korina guitars have this cult-like status in the guitar world. They’re not just instruments—they're pieces of history, symbols of tone snobbery (in a good way?) and exclusivity. People will pay big for that feeling.
I knew a guy who paid over $5K for a Korina V just to hang it on his wall. Did he play it? Rarely. Did he brag about it? Oh yeah.
So... Are They Worth It?
It really depends. If you’re looking for an everyday workhorse guitar—maybe not. You can get killer tones from other woods for a fraction of the price.
But if you want something unique, with real character and a fat chunk of tone history built in? Then yeah, a Korina guitar might just be your dream axe.
Just make sure your wallet is ready. And hey—if you ever get your hands on one, play the hell out of it. These beauties were made to sing, not just sit in a display case.
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Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.