Me too, the brightness was what initially drew me to it. Mine "opened up" this summer. I was playing one day and was like "wow, this sounds different". I just love the tone and everything about the Koa.
I since got a Mini and love that too but for different reasons. I find the Mini to have more of a fuller, deeper tone than the Koa - to be expected I suppose.
I'm still learning about all the different Taylors (I only have 2 so far so I have aways to go...
) I'll have to check out the maples, everyone here seems to think highly of them.
Welcome to the forum.