Kevin Ryan "The Kodiak" Nightingale Grand Soloist - Torrefied Sitka Spruce & Macassar Ebony - NAMM Instrument

The Kevin Ryan "The Kodiak" Nightingale Grand Soloist is an unparalleled masterpiece of modern lutherie, a guitar that seamlessly marries exquisite craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation. Showcased at the 2025 NAMM Show, this extraordinary instrument captivated the world’s most discerning musicians and collectors with its breathtaking aesthetic and peerless sonic capabilities. Designed by Kevin Ryan, one of the most visionary figures in contemporary acoustic guitar making, "The Kodiak" is a testament to his decades-long pursuit of perfection—where form, function, and art exist in a state of absolute harmony.

At the heart of this guitar lies a Torrefied Sitka Spruce top, a tonewood that has undergone a meticulous aging process, enhancing its responsiveness and depth of tone. The torrefaction treatment simulates decades of natural aging, imparting a warmth and openness typically reserved for only the most well-seasoned vintage instruments. Every note played on "The Kodiak" emerges with a crystalline clarity, an expansive dynamic range, and a complex overtone profile that allows for both delicate articulation and commanding projection. The top's one-of-a-kind finish, painstakingly applied entirely by hand, gives the instrument an ethereal, almost luminescent glow—showcasing an artistry that can only be achieved through masterful patience and precision.

Complementing this world-class soundboard is a body constructed from Macassar Ebony, a tonewood revered for its deeply resonant bass response and articulate trebles. This rare and strikingly figured wood produces a powerful yet balanced sound, its piano-like clarity lending itself beautifully to both fingerstyle playing and bold, expressive strumming. Together, the torrefied Sitka Spruce and Macassar Ebony create a sonic experience that is both immersive and endlessly inspiring—a voice that is at once commanding and intimate, full of warmth yet brimming with precision.

Ryan’s attention to detail extends far beyond tonewoods, with an aesthetic presentation that is nothing short of mesmerizing. The Ebony binding theme serves as an elegant frame, highlighting the guitar’s flowing curves, while the Blue Paua purfling adorns the top, back, sides, fretboard, and headstock, imbuing the instrument with a regal, luminous glow. The Diamante Rosette, also inlaid with Blue Paua, adds a final touch of grandeur, an exquisite focal point that elevates the guitar’s artistic appeal. In a nod to the timeless craftsmanship of the Arts & Crafts movement, the fretboard is graced with the Southwest Arches inlay, while the headstock features an Arts & Crafts Rose inlay, symbols of elegance and masterful design. The Blue Paua "R" logo on the headstock further signifies the prestige of this instrument, a hallmark of the Ryan name.

But "The Kodiak" is not just a guitar of visual and tonal splendor—it is a technological marvel, equipped with Kevin Ryan’s proprietary Innovation Suite. Featuring the Ryan Ergonomic Bevel with Flutes for enhanced player comfort, EO Bracing for unmatched resonance, the Acoustic Honeycomb for improved structural integrity, the Ryan Micro Adjustable Truss Rod System for effortless neck adjustments, and Titanium Bridge Pins to further enhance clarity and sustain, every detail of this guitar has been designed for peak performance. Even the A5 "Racing Stripe" Kerfed Liner within the body is a testament to Ryan’s relentless pursuit of innovation.

The guitar’s Gotoh Super 510 Black Chrome tuners, adorned with Ebonoid buttons and embossed with the "R" logo, ensure precise tuning stability, while the Calton Flight Case provides a level of protection worthy of such a remarkable instrument. With a 25.7" scale length, 1 3/4" nut width, and 2 1/4" bridge spacing, the guitar offers an effortlessly playable feel, perfect for both technical virtuosos and expressive artists seeking the ultimate tool for musical storytelling. Weighing in at 5 lb 5 oz, "The Kodiak" is perfectly balanced, light enough for comfort yet substantial enough to provide a deeply rooted resonance.

More than an instrument, the Kevin Ryan "The Kodiak" Nightingale Grand Soloist is a statement—a declaration of what is possible when master craftsmanship, innovative engineering, and the rarest, most beautiful materials converge. Its debut at NAMM was not merely an unveiling, but a moment of recognition—an acknowledgment that guitars of this caliber are not just built; they are sculpted, refined, and imbued with the soul of their maker. To own and play "The Kodiak" is to experience the pinnacle of acoustic guitar artistry, a once-in-a-lifetime expression of beauty, innovation, and tone.

Other specifications include:

• Torrefied Sitka Spruce Top
• Macassar Ebony Back & Sides
• Venetian (Soft) Cutaway
• Ebony Binding Theme
• Blue Paua Top Purfling
• Blue Paua Back & Sides Purfling
• Blue Paua Fretboard Purfling
• Blue Paua Headstock Purfling
• Diamante Rosette with Blue Paua Purfling
• Arts & Crafts Southwest Arches Fretboard Inlay
• Arts & Crafts Rose Headstock Inlay
• Blue Paua R Logo
• Gotoh Super 510 Black Chrome 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
• 25.7" Scale Length
• 1 3/4" Nut Width
• 2 1/4" Bridge spacing
• 5 lb 5 oz
• 1211

For more information about the Kevin Ryan Nightingale Grand Soloist, please contact us.

Product Images

Product Videos

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Kevin Ryan “The Kodiak” Nightingale Grand Soloist – Torrefied Sitka Spruce & Macassar Ebony Demo

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Behind the Scenes at the Bourgeois Guitars Factory with Master Luthier Dana Bourgeois