Description

The kora is a lovely sounding stringed instrument used extensively in West Africa. A kora typically has 21 strings, which are played by plucking with the fingers. It has features of the lute and harp. The kora is built from a gourd, cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator with a long hardwood neck. The skin is supported by two handles that run underneath it. It has 21 strings, each of which plays a different note. These strings are supported by a notched, double free-standing bridge. As you have likely noticed, this kora isn’t built with a gourd for the body. Good quality koras generally cost over $2000. When you don’t have that money lying around and you really want to experience the instrument, you make one! This one has a repurposed guitar body instead of a gourd one for the body. The body itself is all laminate, from a small starter level guitar. The bridge was removed. The pickguard was removed and reattached where the bridge was, to cover where it was. To neck goes all the way through the body. For that to happen, the braces on the top were removed. Yes, the top has shrunken down some. A cap was made to cover the sound hole to place the kora bridge in the correct location. A new sound hole was cut into the side of the instrument. There is wear and chipping on the body. The neck’s finish is worn.

So, what you ultimately have here is a home made kora. It’s fun to play and sounds rather pleasing, which is what you want in an instrument! It is in good overall condition and due to the top, is being sold “as is.” No case. This rather cool instrument might be just what your collection needs!

• Homemade Kora
• Repurposed Guitar Body
• 21 Strings