Tobacco, Whiskey, and Cream

For Jason Isbell's custom guitar, tobacco is the grit, whiskey is the fire, cream is the sweetness. All of these elements combine to make a guitar that wails and burns through the Drive By Truckers' signature Southern rock.

The top is made of gorgeous flame maple, with a tobacco sunburst finish that shimmers like a tiger's eye. Dark edges seep up to a clean white binding.

The chrome hardware is retro and chunky. The rosewood fretboard is adorned with double mother of pearl inlays.

Honduran mahogany makes up the back, which is covered with a dark, chocolaty finish. Two Kent Armstrong minis provide the power.

When Isbell played it for the first time, he said, "Man, that sounds good!"

Two nights later, he played it on Conan O'Brien, and he lit it up.