If we could only describe this guitar in two words, they would be “clear and clean.” Visually, this 2001 Dreadnought from famed Indiana luthier Randy Lucas is impeccable, with hardly any evidence of play wear across the Adirondack Spruce top, tortoise-style pickguard, or Mahogany back and sides. That degree of cleanness extends to its tone as well: played softly or with a robust attack, this Lucas maintains a bell-like fundamental that’s instantly responsive.
Even by ordinary standards this is a superb Dreadnought, but this is hardly an ordinary Dread. Randy worked with Kenny Smith (of the Lonesome River Band) to recreate Smith’s 1935 D-18–a feat Lucas achieved by matching the specs point for point, right down to air brushing the “grain lines” in the Ivoroid tuner knobs to match Smith’s–for a 21 guitar series. Labeled his KS model for short, this Dreadnought offers easy playability, powerful sustain, and a well-balanced voice perfect for both flatpicks and fingertips.