Every guitar has a story, right? We decided to put that theory to the test with one of our favorite up-and-coming rock bands, Dawes.

We caught up with the Dawes guys during a tour stop at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern. During soundcheck, singer and guitarist Taylor Goldsmith shed a little light on the guitar and rig he used in this little video we shot. Here goes…

The guitar is a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster “Custom” that was originally owned by former Simon Dawes bandmate, Blake Mills. While in his care, Mills took to further relicing the guitar’s finish, both with a pocket knife and of all things, a smoldering cigar. While in Simon Dawes, Goldsmith and Mills shared in the ritual of cigar smoking before their set, eventually adding the act of snubbing their cigars in the same spot to the routine. Unorthodox a technique as it is, when looking closely at the guitar it seems as though the experiment was worthwhile, as the markings produced give the instrument a truly unique presence. The original saddles were replaced with a set of Glendale Bakersfield Twangs.

Goldsmith plays through a Valvetech Hayseed 30 and uses a handmade mid-range boost pedal built by Dawes bassist and resident gearphile, Wylie Gelber. The custom strap was made by Nashville guitarist and leather worker, Jonny Corndawg. Corndawg’s work is worthy of its own post, but check out his site until then.