Bespoke 21 String Professional Kora

Around 12 years ago, Sona Jobarteh began a quest to develop koras that would benefit from the convenience and reliability of a modern adapted tuning system whilst still retaining the rich sound of koras made with traditional construction methods. This quest came as a result of her challenges as a performer seeking an instrument that could provide a well-rounded depth of sound, alongside reliability. Previously, she had tried playing many different types of koras that had been adapted with the modern tuning system which uses guitar tuning heads instead of  traditional twisted leather rings. However these adapted koras did not come close in matching the depth of sound that came from the traditional koras she was accustomed to playing made by her great-uncle and master instrument maker Alieu Suso. This is where her journey began. She spent a number of years perfecting a design that finely balanced construction techniques used by her great uncle with the modern adaptation of tuning heads until she reached a prototype that offered both the sound quality and convenience she was seeking. 

These Koras are renowned for their superb sound-quality and depth of tone. Using uniquely adapted building techniques which have been refined over the years, these Koras are a perfect balance between traditional and  modern.   

Guitar tuners on the neck of the instrument allow the player to tune the instrument with ease, thus overcoming the challenging aspect of tuning and repairing strings on the old model. This subtle development brings this instrument into the modern era without compromising the old techniques that have been refined and handed down over generations of traditional instrument-makers from West Africa.  

One of the most exciting aspects of these Koras is that they are uniquely fully customisable due to the skilled workmanship on hand at the workshop in The Gambia. Whether its a beautifully carved neck, handles, or bridge or stunning designs on the calabash, the option to customise gives a unique identity to your kora. 

You can request any customised design that you can imagine, just by describing what you would like, sending us a picture or sketching your required design.