Kevin Ryan Abbey Grand Parlor
Fingerstyle guitarist Eric Lugosch demonstrates his Brazilian rosewood cutaway parlor guitar.
Chicago-based fingerstyle guitarist Eric Lugosch recently visited the Peghead Nation studio to talk about his main guitar, a custom Kevin Ryan Abbey Grand Parlor. Built with Brazilian rosewood and Adirondack spruce, the guitar has a cutaway, long scale, and contemporary neck profile, making it a hybrid of vintage and modern designs.
Eric began playing Kevin Ryan guitars in the late ’90s, when he acquired a Mission Grand Concert model. “I played that instrument for three years, but it was a 14-fret instrument, which wasn’t really correct for my style, which is sort of a mixture of gospel and classical music,” he says. When Eric found out that Kevin had started experimenting with a 12-fret parlor-size guitar, he asked him if he would build him one with a cutaway. Kevin agreed and offered to build it out of Brazilian rosewood, trade for Eric’s Mission Grand Concert, and move the order up on his waiting list. Eric’s guitar became the very first Abbey production model.
“This instrument has offered the best of two worlds to me,” says Eric. “I can play with a heavy right hand, and I can also play with a more subtle and delicate right hand. It doesn’t break up with the heavy hand, and if I play with a light touch, the notes really sing.” Eric used the guitar on his last two albums, Revision and New Tradition, and it’s his primary performing instrument.
In this video, Eric talks about the process of acquiring the guitar and plays the traditional tune “Eighth of January” as well as a complete performance of his original “The Cajun Cook.” Ericlugosch.com
SPECS:12-fret cutaway body with 14-inch lower bout. Adirondack spruce top. Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Mahogany neck. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. 25.5-inch scale. 1¹³/₁₆-inch nut width. Made in USA. Ryanguitars.com
Related Fine Lutherie Posts
 |
2003 Ryan Mission Grand ConcertLuthier Kevin Ryan’s original model is a meticulously crafted guitar that’s optimized for fingerstyle playing. Read More |
 |
2012 Lowden O-50cPeghead Nation instructor Doug Young demonstrates his fingerstyle-friendly Lowden. Read More |
 |
Custom Lehmann FlattopKinloch Nelson demonstrates his wide-neck steel-string guitar. Read More |
 |
Lowden O-35 CustomSlack-key guitarist Stephen Inglis demonstrates his fanned-fret Lowden. Read More |
 |
Harvey Leach CustomBuilt for fingerstyle blues guitarist Dale Miller, this redwood and walnut guitar features a Voyage-Air folding neck and San Francisco Giants–themed inlay. Read More |
 |
Lowden Alex de Grassi Signature ModelThe fingerstyle guitar legend demonstrates his primary six-string. Read More |
 |
Kirk Sand Richard Smith Signature ModelRead More |
 |
Emerald X20 Eight-StringFingerstyle guitarist Nate Lopez demonstrates his custom carbon-fiber, fanned-fret, multi-scale guitar. Read More |
 |
Fraulini AngelinaFingerstyle blues virtuoso Mary Flower demonstrates her vintage-inspired flattop. Read More |
 |
Charles Hoffman ConcertFingerstyle master Tim Sparks demonstrates his 000-size Hoffman guitar. Read More |
