When it comes to Golden Era-inspired guitars, J.C. Baxendale is handcrafting some of our new favorites from his Colorado workshop. This D-42 serves up just about everything you could want from a modern dread: a huge voice, excellent playability, a bit of tasteful decoration, and a lightweight feel that will take you by surprise. J.C. is among the many luthiers we know who praise Madagascar rosewood as one of their favorite rosewoods, putting it on par with the best Brazilian of the old days. He's paired it with his favorite top wood, Adirondack spruce, which here has a pleasing wide grain and buttery color. Sparkling appointments like the abalone rosette and purfling and the mother of pearl fretboard markers and torch inlay add just the right amount of visual appeal. The neck shape is notable, too. Slimmer than average in overall feel, it has a comfortable V shape in first position, perfect for holding down your cowboy chords, and flattens out up the neck to help you play those searing leads with ease.