Kevin Ryan Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle - Engelmann Spruce & Spalted Tamarind

The Kevin Ryan Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle is an instrument of extraordinary vision, the culmination of decades of exploration and refinement from one of the most innovative luthiers of our time. Kevin Ryan has long been celebrated for the way his guitars bridge the divide between traditional lutherie and modern design, weaving together the finest materials with bold innovations that expand what a guitar can be. Players often describe a sense of deep connection with his instruments, as if the guitar becomes not only a vehicle for music but a voice that seems to breathe with the player’s own soul. The Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle stands as a testament to that legacy, offering an unparalleled canvas for expression, sensitivity, and beauty.

At its heart lies a Master Grade Engelmann Spruce top, chosen for its crystalline clarity and responsiveness, a tonewood revered for its ability to capture nuance with remarkable warmth. The back and sides are crafted from rare Spalted Tamarind, a material that is visually striking with its flowing, organic patterns, and sonically rich with both depth and complexity. This pairing produces a voice that is simultaneously articulate and lush, a sound that seems to bloom endlessly with every touch of the strings.

The artistry of Kevin Ryan extends far beyond sound into a visual poetry that elevates the instrument to a work of art. An ebony binding theme frames the guitar with elegance, while blue paua purfling graces every edge of the soundboard, back, sides, fingerboard, and headstock. The wide African Blackwood rosette with its concentric blue paua lines draws the eye like a cathedral window, glowing with quiet majesty. The headstock bears Ryan’s signature “R” logo, rendered in blue paua and accented with MOP MicroPearl, a detail that shimmers as if lit from within. Arts & Crafts Southwest Arches inlays on the fingerboard continue the theme of beauty and intention, linking the guitar to traditions of design that celebrate craftsmanship and harmony.

The hardware and fittings are chosen with equal care. Gotoh Super 510 gold machine heads with ebonoid buttons turn with velvety precision, each marked with Ryan’s embossed logo, a subtle reminder of the artistry within every detail. Titanium bridge pins ensure resonance and stability, while the extended 25.7-inch scale length and fingerstyle-focused 1 3/4-inch nut width with 2 1/4-inch bridge spacing provide comfort and power for intricate playing. Despite its grand proportions, the instrument rests lightly in the hands, weighing just 5 pounds 1 ounce, a balance of strength and grace.

What truly sets Kevin Ryan apart is his Innovation Suite, a collection of pioneering ideas brought together in the Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle. The ergonomic bevel with flutes provides comfort for long hours of playing, the EO bracing and Acoustic Honeycomb design enhance structural integrity and tonal brilliance, and the Ryan Micro Adjustable Truss Rod System allows for precise adjustments with ease. His A5 “Racing Stripe” kerfed liner is both functional and striking, furthering his pursuit of resonance and stability in the lightest possible form.

Every detail of this guitar has been considered, refined, and executed with artistry that transcends the ordinary. Protected by a custom Calton flight case, the Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle is not only a masterwork of lutherie but a companion destined for lifetimes of music. In the hands of a player it becomes more than wood and wire, more than innovation and ornament. It becomes a voice that draws out the heart of music itself, carrying forward Kevin Ryan’s vision that a guitar should inspire, comfort, and elevate the human spirit.

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For more information about the Ryan Cathedral Grand Fingerstyle, please contact us.

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