Atkin The Nineteen Kingfisher – Baked Sitka Spruce & Flame Maple Acoustic Guitar

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The Atkin The Nineteen Kingfisher is a guitar that captures the essence of intimacy and immediacy, a small-bodied instrument shaped by the artistry of Alister Atkin, whose work stands as a beacon of respect for tradition and a love for sound that feels both timeless and new. Inspired by the spirit of early American acoustics, this model brings the warmth of vintage design together with the refinement of modern craftsmanship, resulting in a guitar that is light, responsive, and brimming with character.

At its heart lies a baked Sitka spruce top, a tonewood revered for its balance and sweetness. Through the torrefaction process, the spruce takes on the openness and resonance of wood that has aged for decades, producing a voice that feels seasoned and alive. This top is paired with flame maple back and sides that shimmer with natural beauty, their striking grain lending brightness and clarity to the tonal palette. Pre-war scalloped bracing allows the top to breathe with freedom, creating an instrument that responds with nuance whether played with a delicate fingerstyle touch or with a bold strum.

Every detail reflects Alister Atkin’s devotion to building instruments that are both elegant and functional. The mahogany neck provides strength and warmth, its two-way truss rod easily adjusted through the soundhole. The maple headstock overlay bears the Atkin and Kingfisher decal, a mark of distinction unique to this line. The Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge add depth and richness, offering a smooth playing surface and a solid tonal foundation. Mother-of-pearl dot inlays and cream celluloid side markers provide understated guidance along the neck, while the engraved and hand-painted tortoise shell pickguard gives each guitar a unique artistic flourish.

Visually, the guitar carries a quiet confidence. The single-ply cream rosette is simple and refined, while tortoise shell binding frames the body with a touch of vintage charm. Finished in an age-toned relic gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, the Nineteen Kingfisher bears the graceful presence of an instrument that feels already loved and played. Nickel Kluson tuners complete the look, offering both stability and a classic aesthetic.

Compact in form yet full in voice, the guitar’s proportions are a delight. With a body length of 18 1/2 inches, a depth of 4 1/8 inches, and a lower bout width of 15 inches, it sits comfortably in the lap while producing a sound that is open and resonant. The 24 7/8-inch scale length and 16-inch fingerboard radius create an ideal balance of playability and precision, while the 45mm nut width offers comfort for both chords and melodic playing. At a feather-light 4 pounds, the instrument feels alive in the hands, ready to respond instantly to the player’s touch.

Delivered in its black Atkin case, The Nineteen Kingfisher is a testament to Alister Atkin’s ability to create guitars that honor the past while speaking to the present. It is a guitar for quiet rooms and soulful moments, for players who seek intimacy in sound and inspiration in every note. Light as air yet resonant with history, it is more than an instrument, it is a companion in the making of music that lingers long after the last chord fades.

Other specifications of The Nineteen Kingfisher include: