Kevin Ryan "The Serengeti II" Paradiso Grand Concert - Sitka Spruce & Spalted Tamarind #1312

Few modern luthiers have shaped the voice and feel of the contemporary acoustic guitar quite like Kevin Ryan. Over decades at the workbench, Ryan has refined a philosophy that blends uncompromising craftsmanship with forward thinking design. The result is instruments that are both visually arresting and sonically extraordinary. This Paradiso Grand Concert from the celebrated Cellar Door Series is a perfect example. Each guitar in the series features a one of a kind artistic top treatment, and this remarkable example is titled “The Serengeti II.”

At first glance the Master Grade Sitka Spruce top immediately commands attention. The finish evokes sweeping savanna landscapes, with warm golden tones and dramatic streaking that resemble the natural patterns of sunlit grasslands. This striking aesthetic is framed by an elegant ebony binding theme and luminous blue paua purflings that trace the top, back, sides, and headstock with subtle flashes of color. The intricate Brown Lip Oyster basketweave rosette, outlined with blue paua, draws the eye inward to a soundhole that hints at the extraordinary craftsmanship within.

Turning the guitar over reveals a breathtaking set of spalted tamarind for the back and sides. The spalting creates organic lines and marbled patterns that look almost like ink drifting through parchment. No two pieces could ever be alike, making this instrument unmistakably unique. The Florentine sharp cutaway adds both visual drama and effortless access to the upper register, completing a silhouette that feels as sculptural as it does functional.

Ryan’s artistry extends through every detail. The fingerboard features a delicate dragonfly with gingko leaves inlay, while the headstock is crowned with a blue paua “R” logo and fitted with Gotoh Super 510 gold machine heads with ebonoid buttons and the embossed Ryan emblem. Even the interior engineering reflects decades of innovation, with Ryan’s celebrated Innovation Suite including the ergonomic bevel with flutes, EO bracing, acoustic honeycomb construction, titanium bridge pins, the micro adjustable truss rod system, and the A5 “Racing Stripe” kerfed liner.

Built with a 25.7 inch scale length, 1 3/4 inch nut width, and 2 1/4 inch bridge spacing, this Paradiso Grand Concert offers a supremely comfortable playing platform while delivering the depth, clarity, and responsiveness Ryan instruments are known for. Weighing only 4 pounds 10 ounces, the guitar feels alive in the hands, resonating with remarkable immediacy.

Originally showcased at the NAMM Show 2026, “The Serengeti II” stands as both a visual masterpiece and a triumph of modern lutherie. Protected in its Calton flight case, it represents the rare intersection of art, engineering, and musical inspiration that defines the very best work of Kevin Ryan.

Other specifications include:

• Master Grade Sitka Spruce Top
• Spalted Tamarind Back & Sides
• Florentine (Sharp) Cutaway
• Ebony Binding Theme
• Blue Paua Top, Back & Sides Purflings
• Blue Paua Headstock Purfling
• Brown Lip Oyster Basketweave Rosette with Blue Paua Purfling
• Dragonfly with Gingko Leaves Fingerboard Inlay
• Blue Paua R Logo
• Gotoh Super 510 Gold Machine Heads with Ebonoid Buttons and Embossed "R" Logo
• Innovation Suite (Ryan Ergonomic Bevel with Flutes, EO Bracing, Acoustic Honeycomb, Ryan Micro Adjustable Truss Rod System, Titanium Bridge Pins and A5 "Racing Stripe" Kerfed Liner)
• Calton Flight Case
• Showcased at NAMM 2026
• 25.7" Scale Length
• 1 3/4" Nut Width
• 2 1/4" Bridge spacing
• 4 lb 10 oz
• 1312

For more information about the Kevin Ryan Paradiso Grand Concert, please contact us.

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